How much does window cleaning cost? Prices per window, hourly rates, DIY tips for streak-free results, and how to claim tax deductions.
Helpful Folks Redaktion
Experts in Household Help and Everyday Services
April 11, 2026
Clean windows make a surprising difference: more light, a fresher feel to the room, and a home that simply looks better maintained. Yet window cleaning remains one of the least popular household chores — and is therefore happily postponed. With professional help, though, it's faster, safer, and more thorough than you might think. In this guide, you'll learn what window cleaning costs, when hiring a professional makes sense, how to clean windows streak-free yourself, and how you can even deduct the costs from your taxes.
The honest answer: it depends. Both options have their merits — what matters is your living situation, your available time, and your standards for the result.
If you live in a ground-floor flat with four windows, you probably don't need a professional window cleaner. It's a different story if you live in a house with 15 or more windows, have hard-to-reach skylights, or need to maintain floor-to-ceiling glass fronts. In these cases, window cleaning quickly becomes a time-consuming and physically demanding task — and in the worst case, a safety hazard when you're climbing ladders.
A professional window cleaner works systematically and with routine. Thanks to experience, proper equipment, and clear processes, a professional often needs just 60 to 90 minutes for an average flat — including inside and outside. By comparison, most private individuals need three to four hours for the same job.
Tip: Compare your own hourly rate against the cost of a professional. With a window cleaner charging 35 euros per hour who finishes in 90 minutes, you pay around 50 euros — and save yourself half a day's work.
The cost of professional window cleaning depends on the pricing model, region, and level of soiling. Here's an overview of the most common pricing models:
| Pricing Model | Price (Average) | When Does It Make Sense? |
|---|---|---|
| Per window (standard size) | 3–6 € | Few, easily accessible windows |
| Per square metre of glass | 2–4 € (per side) | Large glass surfaces, conservatories |
| Per hour | 25–50 € | Mixed tasks, unclear scope |
| Flat rate (flat) | 80–200 € | Complete flat, regular appointments |
| Flat rate (house) | 150–400 € | Detached house, all windows |
Prices vary significantly by region — in major cities, you'll pay 20 to 30 per cent more on average than in rural areas. Hard-to-reach windows (skylights, high facades) cost up to 6 euros per square metre extra. The condition of the windows also plays a role: heavily soiled windows after winter or a renovation require more working time.
| Living Situation | Number of Windows | Estimated Cost (both sides) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat | 5–7 windows | 40–80 € |
| 2-bedroom flat | 8–12 windows | 80–150 € |
| Terraced house | 12–18 windows | 120–250 € |
| Detached house | 15–25 windows | 150–400 € |
| House with conservatory | 20–30+ windows | 250–500 € |
On Helpful Folks, you can find household helpers who also offer window cleaning — often at better rates than specialised cleaning companies.
If you prefer to do it yourself, the right technique and materials make all the difference. Follow these six steps for streak-free windows:
Wait for the right weather. Clean windows on overcast days or in the evening. In direct sunlight, the cleaning solution dries too quickly and leaves unsightly streaks. Ideal temperature: between 5 and 25 degrees.
Clean frames and windowsills first. Before touching the glass: wipe down frames, seals, and windowsills with a damp cloth. Otherwise, dirt runs down from above onto the freshly cleaned pane.
Mix your cleaning solution. A tried-and-tested home remedy: one litre of lukewarm water, a drop of washing-up liquid (without balm!) and a splash of vinegar. This dissolves grease and limescale and leaves clear glass. Important: use very little washing-up liquid — too much creates streaks itself.
Apply with a washer or microfibre cloth. Apply the cleaning solution generously to the pane and let it work briefly. Gently loosen stubborn spots with the wet cloth.
Work with a squeegee. Start the squeegee at the top and pull it down in one continuous stroke. Wipe the rubber blade with a dry cloth after each pass. Work with overlapping strokes to avoid streaks.
Polish edges and corners. Polish the edges and corners that the squeegee can't reach with a dry microfibre cloth or a lint-free cotton cloth.
Pro secret: Using newspaper for polishing is a myth — modern printing ink can leave smears. Better: a dry microfibre cloth or a chamois leather.
The cleaning frequency depends on your living situation and surroundings. Here are the most important questions and answers:
How often is window cleaning recommended? Experts recommend at least twice a year — once in spring and once in autumn. If you live on a busy road, near construction sites, or in a rural area with heavy pollen, you should clean every six to eight weeks.
When is the best time of year? Spring is particularly good for removing winter dirt — road salt residue, condensation marks, and accumulated dust. In autumn, you remove pollen residue, insect traces, and summer dust before the dark season begins.
What happens if I clean too rarely? Beyond appearance, the material also suffers: limescale, bird droppings, and aggressive environmental factors can damage glass surfaces over time. Regular cleaning preserves the value of your windows.
Is there a rule of thumb? A practical guide: four to six times per year for city flats, two to three times for sheltered locations. Those who hire a professional typically book a quarterly schedule — four times a year.
Not every provider works equally professionally. This checklist helps you find a good window cleaner:
Register for free now and find window cleaners near you on Helpful Folks — with profiles, reviews, and direct contact.
An often overlooked advantage of professional window cleaning: you can claim the costs as a household-related service for tax purposes. The tax office refunds 20 per cent of the labour costs — with a maximum of 20,000 euros per year, that means a maximum tax saving of 4,000 euros.
For this to work, you need to meet three conditions: first, the cleaning must take place in your household or on your property. Second, you need an invoice that separates labour costs from material costs — as only labour costs are deductible. Third, you must pay by bank transfer — the tax office doesn't accept cash payments.
A concrete example: if you have your windows cleaned four times a year at 120 euros each, that's 480 euros. Twenty per cent of that — 96 euros — is directly deductible from your tax bill. Sounds small? Combined with other household-related services like garden care or domestic help, the tax advantage quickly adds up to several hundred euros per year.
Having your windows professionally cleaned isn't a luxury — it's a practical solution that saves time, delivers better results, and is even tax-deductible. Whether you opt for professional help or grab the squeegee yourself — with the right tips and the appropriate cleaning interval, your windows will stay sparkling clean all year round. On Helpful Folks, you'll find household helpers offering window cleaning near you — flexible, reliable, and at fair prices.
Helpful Folks connects you with verified service providers — free and hassle-free.