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Window cleaning
Window cleaning can be started with a small kit and grown through repeat local customers. Prioritise safe access, clear quotes and reliable work; the earnings figures available are examples, not promises.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- You clean windows for people near you.
- Start with easy windows and a small kit.
- Never climb or lean out to reach a window.
- Agree the work and price before you begin.
- Keep records of jobs, costs and payments.
Who it suits
It may suit adults who are practical, dependable and comfortable working outdoors and dealing with customers. It is less suitable if you cannot avoid unsafe work at height or travel between local jobs.
People pay to save time and have cleaner windows without doing the work themselves. Regular local customers may book repeat cleans, so dependable visits and clear quotes can help you build steady work, though bookings and income are not guaranteed.
Step by step
- Choose your area and the cleaning you offer. Pick a small local area and decide whether you will clean outside only, inside and outside, or also clean frames and sills. Before buying specialist equipment, ask local people or check local listings to see what customers commonly request. About 1-2 hours.
- Buy a basic kit and practise safely. Start with equipment for reachable windows and practise on accessible panes before taking paid bookings. A UK guide lists a window-cleaning kit at £60–£80, but your own total depends on what you already have and buy. ANNA About 1-2 days.
- Learn a simple method for everyday dirt. Use a microfibre cloth and clean warm water for everyday dirt, and a non-metallic squeegee for larger panes. Avoid direct sunlight, where the solution may dry too quickly and leave streaks. VELUX About 30-60 minutes to practise.
- Only accept work you can reach safely. Do not climb or lean out to reach a window. Use a telescopic pole from the ground where suitable, and decline work you cannot reach safely; the VELUX guide recommends calling a professional for windows that cannot be reached safely. VELUX About Check access before every quote.
- Set out the work before giving a price. Say whether your quote covers glass only, or also frames, sills and interior panes. Bark lists Irish customer prices of €50–€90 for a standard home; this is a customer price, not a cleaner’s take-home pay. Bark About 15-30 minutes per quote.
- Ask about the home and access. Before quoting, ask for the property type, rough window count, access details and preferred timing. Agree in advance whether you need a gate code, garden access or an outdoor tap. Bark About 10-15 minutes per enquiry.
- Be reliable and invite repeat bookings. Send clear messages, arrive when agreed and aim for consistent results. Ask satisfied customers whether they want regular cleans, and keep a simple record of quotes, completed jobs and payments. About 10-20 minutes after each job.
- Try local referrals and listing services. Ask for local referrals and try suitable online listing services, then compare which brings enquiries that fit your area and service. Check each listing service’s terms and charges directly; platform fees are not stated here. About 1-2 hours to compare options.
- Keep records and check your country’s rules. Record income and business costs from the start. Check the tax and registration notes for your country before taking on regular work, and ask a qualified local adviser if you are unsure. UK tax guidance Ireland self-employment guidance About 20-30 minutes to set up; update weekly.
Your first 15 minutes
Choose a small local area, practise your cleaning method on safely reachable windows, and ask a few nearby households what they would want included in a quote.
The money
Price each job after checking the number of windows, access, travel and whether frames, sills or inside panes are included. Bark lists Irish customer prices of €50–€90 for a standard home, but this is only context, not a required price or your take-home pay. <a href="https://www.bark.com/en/ie/window-cleaners/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bark</a>
Example only: UK week: 5 jobs × £45 = £225 income; subtract £35 for travel and supplies = £190 before tax and other costs. Ireland week: 5 jobs × €50 = €250 income; subtract €40 for travel and supplies = €210 before tax and other costs. These are made-up examples, not typical earnings or promises.
The rules
There is no general window-cleaning licence confirmed for the UK or Ireland. If you’re unsure whether local rules apply, check with your local council or authority. Don’t take work you can’t access safely.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Tax and Self Assessment. The first £1,000 of your annual trading income is covered by the trading allowance. If you earn more, tell HMRC. The £1,000 is gross income, before expenses. If you need to register for Self Assessment, do so by 5 October after the end of the tax year. GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles GOV.UK
- VAT. You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover is over £90,000. If your turnover is close to this threshold, check the current rules with HMRC or a tax adviser. Business.gov.uk
- Data protection. Use the ICO self-assessment tool to check whether you must pay a data protection fee. The ICO says you are likely to be exempt if you hold customer details only for your own accounts and transaction records. This does not apply to information processed by or obtained from credit reference agencies. ICO
- Quotes, insurance and local rules. Make your quotes clear about the property, access and any extra services included. This can help avoid disagreements about what you agreed to do. Check what insurance cover and business costs are right for you. There is no general window-cleaning licence confirmed here. If you’re unsure whether local rules apply, ask your local council or authority.
- Advertising. If you post advertising or affiliate content, label it clearly as commercial content. For example, use “Ad”. ASA
- Young workers and Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, workers aged 16–17 usually have limits of 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. They must not work between 10pm and 6am. Check the rules before arranging work for a young person. nidirect
Ireland
- Income tax and returns. If you are a PAYE worker, you generally need to register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below that, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. If you are self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI (Class S) and USC under self-assessment. Revenue Citizens Information
- Preliminary tax. If you are self-employed, you generally have preliminary tax due by 31 October. Check your filing and payment requirements with Revenue or a tax adviser. Citizens Information
- VAT. The VAT registration threshold for services is €42,500. If your turnover is close to this threshold, check your position with Revenue. Revenue
- Business name. If you trade under a name other than your own, register the business name with the CRO. Online registration costs €20. CRO
- Quotes, insurance and local rules. Before you start, set out the work, access and price clearly. Check what insurance cover and business costs are right for you. There is no general window-cleaning licence confirmed here. If you’re unsure whether local rules apply, ask your local authority.
- Advertising and young workers. If you post paid or promotional content as an influencer, label it with “Ad” where relevant. If you plan to involve a young person, check the young-worker rules. Permitted hours differ by age and whether school is in session. CCPC Citizens Information
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Climbing or leaning out to reach a window instead of declining unsafe work.
- Quoting before checking the window count, access and requested extras.
- Buying specialist equipment before finding out what nearby customers need.
- Forgetting to include travel, supplies and other costs when reviewing prices.
- Not keeping clear records of jobs, income and business costs.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.