· by Michael Blair, Nashville's Window Cleaning
Window cleaning is one of the most common reasons homeowners get on ladders, and ladder falls are among the more frequent causes of serious injury at home. The saving is modest and the downside is not.
Ground level is fine
Single-story windows reachable from the ground or a low step are straightforward, and an extension pole with a squeegee handles a surprising amount without leaving the ground.
Water-fed pole systems reach second-story glass from ground level and are what most professionals now use.
When does cleaning your own windows get risky?
Second story on uneven ground, on a slope, or where the ladder has to lean against gutter or siding. Any position where you would need to reach sideways.
The rule is that your belt buckle stays between the ladder rails. Reaching is what causes the fall.
- Extension poles reach more than people think
- Ladder on firm level ground, tied off at the top
- Never lean a ladder on a gutter
- Belt buckle between the rails — move the ladder instead
- Two-story work is worth handing over
How should a ladder be set up for window cleaning?
Firm level footing, the correct angle, extending above the contact point, and tied off where possible. Never against a gutter, which deforms and slips.
Middle Tennessee clay is soft after rain, and a ladder foot sinking on one side is exactly how a fall starts.
The honest calculation
A professional two-story clean is not expensive relative to a fall. Most people who do it themselves once decide the saving was not the point.
If you do it yourself, do it with someone else present rather than alone.
FAQ
When to Stop Cleaning Your Own Windows — questions
Can I clean second-story windows from the ground?
Often yes, with a water-fed pole system, which is what most professionals now use — it reaches second-story glass from the ground and rinses with purified water that dries without spotting. Consumer versions exist and work reasonably well on accessible elevations.
What is the most common ladder mistake?
Reaching sideways instead of moving the ladder. The rule is that your belt buckle stays between the rails; beyond that the ladder can slide out from under you. After that: soft or uneven ground, and leaning against a gutter, which deforms and slips.
Is professional window cleaning worth it?
For single-story work it is largely a question of time. For a two-story house it is a safety decision as much as a convenience one, and the cost is modest against the consequences of a fall. Combining it with gutter clearing makes the visit better value.
Is window washing dangerous?
It can be. Ladder falls are among the more frequent causes of serious injury at home, and window cleaning is one of the most common reasons homeowners climb one. The risk sits in second-story work on soft or sloping ground and in reaching sideways, while ground-floor glass and pole work from the lawn carry far less.