Hiring a window cleaner for the first time feels like a mystery. What do they do? How long does it take? Do you need to be home? What if they find a problem? Here's everything that happens, step by step, so there are zero surprises.
Before They Arrive (Your Prep)
Move fragile items from windowsills
Both inside and outside. Plants, vases, picture frames — anything that could get bumped by a squeegee or ladder. 5 minutes of prep saves potential heartbreak.
Open all blinds and curtains
Your cleaner needs to see the glass clearly from both sides. Pull blinds up, push curtains aside. This also helps them spot any existing damage before they start.
Clear exterior access
Move patio furniture, planters, bikes, and cars at least 6 feet from the house. Your cleaner needs room for ladders and hoses. Clear the driveway too if windows face that direction.
Secure pets
Ladders against the house, open doors for interior cleaning, hoses running — all escape opportunities for dogs and cats. Keep pets in a closed room or crate during service.
Note problem windows
Cracked seals (foggy between panes), stuck screens, broken latches — tell your cleaner BEFORE they start. This avoids blame for pre-existing issues and helps them plan.
During the Cleaning
Walk-around assessment
Your cleaner walks the property, counts windows, checks access, identifies any challenges. This takes 5-10 minutes. Good cleaners explain what they'll do before starting.
Screens come off first
All screens removed, cleaned separately, set aside to dry. Screens are reinstalled after glass is clean and dry.
Exterior cleaning
Working top to bottom, your cleaner wets the glass, agitates with a scrubber, and squeegees dry. With ClearCoat™ purified water, some exterior windows are cleaned with a water-fed pole — no ladder needed for 2nd storey.
Interior cleaning (if included)
Same process but with more care around your furnishings. Professional cleaners use drop cloths under each window. Tracks are vacuumed and wiped. Sills are cleaned.
Detail work
Edges, corners, frames. This is where pros separate from amateurs. Quick operators skip this step — it adds 30-45 minutes but makes the difference between "clean" and "wow."
After the Cleaning
Walk-through
Your cleaner walks you around and shows the results. Point out anything you're not happy with — a good company fixes it immediately, on the spot.
Before/after photos
Professional companies send before/after photos (MANTLE texts them within 1 hour). These are your documentation and a satisfying comparison.
Payment
Pay the quoted amount. No surprises if you got all-inclusive pricing. E-transfer is most common in the GTA. Credit card and cash also accepted by most companies.
First-Time Cleaning Special Notes
Do You Need to Be Home?
Exterior only: No. Most homeowners leave for work and come home to clean windows. Just ensure gate access and clear the path.
Interior + exterior: Yes, someone needs to be home (or you can leave a key and trust the company). Interior cleaning requires access to every room.
First time: We recommend being home for your first cleaning — do the walk-around together, establish trust, point out concerns. After that, you can leave them to it.
Ready for Your First Professional Clean?
ClearCoat™ purified water. All-inclusive. Before/after photos. Redo-or-free guarantee.
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