Window Cleaning in Ireland: Prices, Frequency and Safety

A window cleaner in Ireland typically charges by the house and the visit, not by the hour. For a three-bed semi, advertised prices we checked in October 2026 ranged from about €35 to €47 for the outside glass on a regular round, and around €70 for a once-off clean. Regular rounds, such as every six or twelve weeks, cost less per visit, and many window cleaners use water-fed poles to reach upstairs windows from the ground.

What does window cleaning cost?

Job	Advertised price	Source
Outside front and back, 2 to 3-bed semi	From €35	One window cleaner
Three-bed semi, every six weeks	€42	Another window cleaner
Three-bed semi, every twelve weeks	€47	Same provider
Three-bed semi, once-off	€70	Same provider
Extensions, conservatories, insides	Extra	Ask for a quote

These are advertised prices from a small number of providers in October 2026, not a national average. A few patterns are worth knowing:

• Regular rounds are cheaper per visit than a once-off clean, because the glass never gets very dirty and the cleaner is already on your road.
• Longer gaps cost a little more per visit. In the example above, a twelve-week clean costs more than a six-week one.
• Extensions, conservatory roofs, skylights and inside glass are usually priced separately.
• Detached houses, bungalows with lots of glass and three-storey houses cost more than a semi.

See our price guide for how this compares with other cleaning services.

How often should windows be cleaned?

There is no official rule. Window cleaners commonly offer rounds such as every six or twelve weeks, as in the prices above, and a once-off clean for everyone else. Things that push you towards more frequent cleaning:

• Living near the sea, where salt spray dulls glass quickly
• A busy road or building site nearby
• Trees that drop sap, pollen or leaves
• Selling the house, when clean glass makes a real difference to photos and viewings (see cleaning before selling)

Inside glass usually needs cleaning less often, but check it in winter, when condensation leaves marks.

How do water-fed poles work?

Many window cleaners now use water-fed poles: telescopic poles with a soft brush on the end, fed with purified water from a tank in the van. The cleaner scrubs the glass and frame, then rinses with the purified water. Because the water has had its minerals removed, it dries without leaving spots, so there is no need to squeeze or dry the glass.

The advantages for you:

• Upstairs windows are cleaned from the ground, without ladders against your walls.
• Frames and sills are scrubbed at the same time as the glass.
• Conservatory roofs and awkward windows over extensions can often be reached.

Don't be surprised if the glass looks wet with droplets when the cleaner leaves: purified water dries clear. If the windows were very dirty, the first clean may leave some marks until the next visit.

Window cleaning safety

Ladders and height are where window cleaning needs the most care. If you are hiring:

• Ask how upstairs windows will be cleaned. Water-fed poles from the ground avoid most ladder work.
• Check insurance. Ask for current public liability evidence, and employers' liability if the business has staff, as insurers advise householders to request from contractors. Our cleaner insurance guide explains what each covers.
• Gutters are a separate job. Some window cleaners clear gutters. For gutters you cannot reach safely, arrange a contractor able to work safely at height. Our winter home checklist covers gutters and downpipes.

If you clean windows yourself, stick to what you can reach from the ground or safely from inside. Tilt-and-turn and many modern uPVC windows open inwards or tilt so the outside can be reached from the room. Do not lean out of upstairs windows, and do not stand on chairs or window boards.

How to clean windows yourself without streaks

• Pick a dull, dry day, or work on the shady side, so the glass does not dry before you finish
• Brush or hoover dust and cobwebs off the frame and sill first
• Wash the glass with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid on a sponge or applicator
• Squeegee from top to bottom, or in an S-shape, wiping the blade after every stroke
• Dry the edges and bottom of the pane with a lint-free or microfibre cloth
• Wipe the frames, handles and sills, and clear the drainage slots in the bottom of uPVC frames
• Buff any last marks with a dry microfibre cloth

A few notes on products:

• Microfibre cloths remove dirt with water alone and reduce the need for chemicals. Wash them regularly, and use separate ones for glass.
• Vinegar is a popular window cleaner, but keep it off stone sills, where its acid can cause damage, and never mix it with bleach. See our eco-friendly cleaning guide.
• Hard water can leave spots on glass if you rinse with tap water and let it dry. In hard water areas, dry the glass rather than leaving it. Our limescale guide explains how to check your supply.

Condensation on the inside

If the inside of your windows streams with water on winter mornings, that is condensation: moist air from cooking, showers and drying clothes meeting cold glass. SEAI says inadequate ventilation and cold surfaces increase the risk of mould. Wipe the glass and sills dry each morning, keep trickle vents open, and do not permanently block air vents. Black spots on the seals or reveals are mould: see our mould and damp guide.

Finding a window cleaner

Ask neighbours who already has a round on your road, because adding a house to an existing round is easy for the cleaner. Agree the frequency, what is included (glass, frames, sills, doors, conservatory), how they get to the back, and how and when you pay. Browse window cleaning services or cleaners by county, such as in Dublin, Cork or Wexford.