Window Cleaner

Tasks & duties

Window cleaners may do some or all of the following:

• set up cleaning equipment
• assess which cleaning substances to use
• apply cleaning substances to glass surfaces
• wipe away cleaning substances and dry surfaces
• put away equipment
• clean window frames and other surfaces
• remove paint from glass
• set up industrial access ropes, scaffolding and rigging to clean the windows of tall buildings

Skills & knowledge

Window cleaners need to have:

• skill working with ropes and setting up scaffolding and rigging if working on tall buildings
• knowledge of relevant safety procedures
• cleaning skills
• knowledge of cleaning equipment and substances, and how chemicals react to window frames, glass and other surfaces

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a window cleaner. However, an industrial ropes access course, at-height training, or a scaffolding or rigging qualification is useful for window cleaners who work at heights.

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Experienced window cleaners usually train new staff.

Useful experience

Experience working as a cleaner, scaffolder or car groomer, or work in the building construction industry may be useful for window cleaners. Abseiling experience is useful for commercial window cleaners who use industrial access equipment (ropes and harnesses) to work on tall buildings.

For more information, please refer to Career Services.