Window Cleaning Adelaide: When to DIY and When to Call a Pro

Clean windows make a disproportionate difference to how a home looks and feels. Natural light comes through properly, the view is clear, and the whole space feels brighter. Dirty windows — particularly externally — create a dull, neglected impression even in an otherwise clean home.

The question is where the boundary between DIY and professional lies. Internal windows at ground level: straightforward. External windows on a double-storey home, windows above a roof line, or windows requiring a ladder above head height: a different calculation entirely.

Here's the honest guide to both.

---

Internal Window Cleaning: The DIY Method That Works

Most people clean internal windows badly — either with too much product that leaves streaks, with paper towels that leave lint, or with circular wiping motions that create patterns in the residue. The professional method is simpler and produces better results.

What You Need

• Glass cleaner or a diluted white vinegar solution (50:50 with water in a spray bottle)
• Two clean microfibre cloths — one slightly damp, one dry
• Squeegee (optional but excellent for large windows)

The cloth matters enormously. Paper towels leave lint. Old cotton rags streak. A clean, dry microfibre cloth produces a lint-free, streak-free finish.

The Method

For small windows and glass panels:

1. Spray the glass lightly with cleaner — don't saturate. Less product means fewer streaks.
2. Wipe with a slightly damp microfibre cloth in straight horizontal strokes, working from top to bottom.
3. Immediately follow with a dry microfibre cloth to remove all moisture before it dries. This is the critical step — most streaking happens because product is allowed to air dry rather than being wiped dry.
4. Check from an angle in good light to catch any remaining spots.

For larger windows, sliding doors and glass panels:

A squeegee produces the fastest, most streak-free result on large glass surfaces.

1. Spray the glass.
2. Use a damp microfibre applicator or cloth to spread the product evenly across the glass.
3. Pull the squeegee across the glass in overlapping horizontal strokes, top to bottom. Wipe the squeegee blade with a dry cloth after each stroke.
4. Wipe the edges and any drips with a dry microfibre cloth.

Window Frames, Sills and Tracks

The glass is only part of the job. Window frames, sills and tracks need specific attention.

Frames: Wipe with a damp cloth. For painted frames, a gentle cleaner. For aluminium frames, a damp microfibre is sufficient.

Sills: Wipe thoroughly. Sills collect dust, dead insects, moisture staining and debris — particularly in Adelaide where summer dust is significant.

Tracks: Sliding door and window tracks accumulate grime that is impossible to clean with a cloth. Vacuum the track first (crevice attachment), then use a damp cloth wrapped around a butter knife or a dedicated track cleaning tool to wipe the channel. This task is consistently skipped and consistently noticed in inspections.

Adelaide's Hard Water and Window Cleaning

Adelaide's water leaves mineral deposits on glass when it dries. This is particularly visible on external windows (from rain and sprinkler contact) but also affects internal glass in bathrooms and laundries.

For light water spotting, vinegar-based cleaner dissolves the mineral deposits effectively. For heavier spotting, a citric acid solution or a dedicated water spot remover is more effective.

---

What to Do About Fly Screens

Fly screens are typically removed, taken outside, and washed flat with soapy water and a soft brush, then allowed to dry before replacing. Don't use a pressure washer — it can damage or stretch the mesh. A garden hose is sufficient.

In Adelaide, fly screens accumulate significant dust, particularly in summer and after dust events. Cleaning them quarterly is reasonable.

---

External Window Cleaning: Where DIY Has Limits

Ground Floor External Windows

Ground floor windows accessible from standing on the ground or a step are safe and straightforward to clean DIY. Use the same method as internal windows, applied from outside with a squeegee and extension handle if needed.

A good quality squeegee with a telescoping handle can reach most ground floor windows without a ladder.

Above Ground Floor Windows: The DIY Risk Assessment

Once windows require a ladder to reach, the risk calculation changes significantly. The statistics on DIY ladder injuries in Australia are sobering — falls from ladders are one of the most common causes of serious injury in home settings, and the heights involved in residential window cleaning (second storey, under eaves, above roof lines) are high enough that a fall can be fatal.

The honest assessment:

Safe to DIY with a ladder:

• Windows on a single-storey home where a standard 6-step ladder reaches comfortably
• The surface beneath the ladder is stable, level and allows proper ladder placement
• You're experienced and comfortable working at height
• A second person is present to stabilise the ladder

Call a professional:

• Any window above the first storey
• Windows that require leaning out or stretching to reach
• Windows above a roof pitch where ladder placement is unstable
• Any situation where you're not completely confident in the setup

Professional window cleaners have ladders rated for commercial use, safety training, public liability insurance, and experience working at height safely every day. The cost of a professional window clean for a 4-bedroom home is typically $150–$300. The cost of a serious fall is your health or your life.

---

Professional Window Cleaning: What to Expect

A professional window cleaning service for a residential property typically includes:

• Internal and external cleaning of all accessible windows
• Cleaning of window frames and sills
• Squeegee and technique that leaves glass streak-free
• Removal of hard water spotting (often an additional treatment)

What may not be included without specific discussion:

• Window tracks (ask)
• Fly screens (ask)
• Skylights (requires specialist access)
• Windows in positions requiring cherry picker or abseiling access

How Often?

Internal windows: clean as needed — typically every few months as part of a thorough home clean or for special occasions.

External windows in Adelaide: twice a year is a reasonable standard. More frequently if you're near a dusty road, have sprinklers that reach the glass, or if you're preparing the property for sale or inspection.

---

For internal window cleaning as part of a whole-home clean, or for an honest discussion about what can be done professionally and what requires specialist access in your Adelaide home, one-off cleaning service in Adelaide.

---

Written by Victor Jacon — Master Cleaner & Home Detailing Specialist, Founder of PF Cleaning Adelaide.