The Cheapest vs Most Expensive Windows to Clean: What Makes the Difference?

If you asked us to clean 20 windows at one Melbourne home and then 20 windows at another, you might expect the jobs to be fairly similar.

But they could be completely different.

After more than 30 years in the cleaning industry, we've seen just about every type of window imaginable—from simple ground-floor glass that can be cleaned in minutes to windows that require ladders, specialist equipment and a fair bit of planning just to reach.

So what actually makes a window easy to clean?

And what turns a seemingly simple window cleaning job into a much bigger one?

Let's take a look at the cheapest and most expensive types of windows to clean—and why.

The Cheapest Windows to Clean: Simple, Accessible and Easy to Reach

The easiest windows to clean usually have three things in common:

They're easy to access.

They're relatively simple in design.

There's nothing in the way.

A typical example might be a standard ground-floor window with clear access from both inside and outside.

No ladders.

No climbing over garden beds.

No awkward angles.

No security screens that need to be removed.

These are the windows we love to come across because they're straightforward and efficient to clean.

Ground-Floor Windows

Single-storey homes with easily accessible windows are generally the simplest.

If we can walk straight up to the glass and get to both sides without obstacles, the job can usually be completed quickly.

A row of standard windows along the side of a house? Perfect.

Large, Simple Glass Panels

Interestingly, a large window isn't always more difficult than a small one.

A big, flat panel of glass with easy access can often be quicker to clean than several small windows with lots of frames, corners and individual panes.

Sometimes one big window is easier than six little ones.

Windows With Clear Access

Access makes a huge difference.

A window beside a clear pathway is much easier to clean than the exact same window hidden behind:

• Rose bushes

• Garden beds

• Outdoor furniture

• Pot plants

• Sheds

• Swimming pools

The window itself might be identical, but the time required to get to it can be very different.

Now for the Other End of the Scale...

The Most Expensive Windows to Clean

The windows that take the most time aren't necessarily the biggest.

They're usually the ones that make us stop, look at them and think:

"Okay... how are we getting to that one?"

Here are some of the biggest culprits.

Double-Storey and High Windows

Height is an obvious one.

Windows positioned on a second storey or above can require additional equipment and more time to clean safely.

A simple window at ground level might take minutes.

That same window positioned high above a driveway, roof or sloping garden can become a completely different job.

It's not just about reaching the glass—it's about finding the safest and most practical way to access it.

Windows Above a Roof

These can be some of the more challenging windows around a home.

You may have a window positioned above:

• A tiled roof

• A metal roof

• A verandah

• An extension

• A conservatory

• A steep or awkward section of the property

Sometimes there is no easy way to simply place a ladder underneath.

Planning and safe access become a major part of the job.

French Windows and Small Paned Windows

These windows can look absolutely beautiful.

They can also take a long time to clean.

Instead of one large piece of glass, you might have dozens of smaller panes.

Each one has edges, corners and frames to work around.

From a homeowner's perspective, it might look like one window.

From a window cleaner's perspective...

It can feel like cleaning 20.

Windows With Security Screens

Security screens can add another layer to the job.

Depending on the setup, they may need to be cleaned around, removed or dealt with separately.

Again, the actual glass might be easy to clean—but getting access to it can take considerably longer.

Windows Hidden Behind Gardens

We've seen some beautiful Melbourne gardens.

We've also seen windows that have completely disappeared behind them.

Trees, shrubs, climbing plants and large garden beds can make access surprisingly difficult.

We're certainly not suggesting you remove your garden!

But when it comes to window cleaning, access can have a significant impact on how efficiently the job can be completed.

Sometimes the most difficult window at a house is only one metre off the ground.

You just can't get to it.

Skylights

Skylights are another interesting one.

They may be relatively small, but their position can make them challenging.

A skylight might be located:

• High above a stairwell

• On a steep roof

• Above an extension

• In a difficult-to-access section of the property

Small doesn't always mean easy.

The Biggest Surprise? It's Often Not About the Number of Windows

One of the biggest misconceptions about window cleaning is that pricing is simply based on the number of windows.

In reality, two homes could each have 30 windows but require very different amounts of work.

House One

30 large, ground-floor windows.

Clear access.

Simple glass.

House Two

30 windows spread across two storeys.

Some above a roof.

Several hidden behind gardens.

Security screens.

French windows.

Skylights.

Same number of windows.

Very different job.

This is why professional window cleaning quotes are usually based on more than simply counting the windows.

So What Makes a Window Cleaning Job More Affordable?

If you're curious about what generally makes a job quicker and easier, these things can help:

• Ground-floor access

• Clear paths around the house

• Large, simple glass panels

• Easy access to both sides of the windows

• Minimal screens or obstacles

• Windows that don't require specialist access equipment

And on the other end of the scale, the jobs that generally require more time involve:

• Multiple storeys

• Difficult access

• Windows above roofs

• Lots of small panes

• French windows

• Skylights

• Security screens

• Windows surrounded by dense gardens

• Awkward or restricted access

Why We Don't Simply Charge "Per Window"

Imagine asking two people to clean 10 cars.

One person is given 10 small hatchbacks.

The other is given 10 muddy four-wheel drives.

Technically, they're both cleaning 10 cars.

But the amount of work involved isn't quite the same.

The same applies to windows.

At Middleton's Cleaning, we look at the overall job—including the type of windows, accessibility and the work involved—so we can provide a quote based on the actual property.

Our Favourite Windows to Clean?

The easy ones!

Give us a beautiful Melbourne day, a single-storey home, clear access and large panes of glass, and we're happy.

But after decades of cleaning windows across Melbourne, we've also become very good at dealing with the more complicated ones.

The high windows.

The awkward windows.

The ones above roofs.

And the ones hidden behind that very enthusiastic garden.

Because at the end of the day, every property is different.

And that's exactly why we love what we do.

Need Your Windows Cleaned?

Whether you have a simple single-storey home or a property full of high, awkward or hard-to-reach windows, Middleton's Cleaning can provide a tailored quote based on your home.

We're a family-owned Melbourne business providing professional window cleaning for homes and businesses.

Get in touch with our friendly team for a free quote.

Call Jan on 0421 017 680