Window Cleaning Equipment List: The Gear Pros Start With

Window cleaning has one of the lowest equipment costs of any service business. A professional starter kit fits in a bucket. As you add second stories and commercial routes, a few bigger purchases start to make sense.

The basic kit

• Squeegee handle and channels in a few sizes, such as 10, 14 and 18 inches, with spare rubber
• Strip washer (scrubber) to apply soapy water
• Scraper with replacement blades for paint, stickers and bird droppings, used carefully on glass that allows it
• Bucket long enough to dip your scrubber, usually a rectangular one
• Tool belt and holsters to keep tools in reach
• Lint-free microfiber cloths and detailing towels for edges
• Window cleaning soap or a gentle dish soap

Reaching higher

• Extension pole that fits your squeegee and scrubber, for ground-floor transoms and low second-story windows
• Ladders rated for professional use, plus a ladder stabilizer to protect gutters and keep it steady

When a water-fed pole is worth it

A water-fed pole system pumps purified water through a long pole with a brush on the end. You scrub the glass from the ground and let it dry spot-free, with no ladder or squeegee. It is a bigger investment, often hundreds to a few thousand dollars with a filtration system, but it speeds up exterior work on two- and three-story homes and commercial buildings, and it keeps you off ladders. Many cleaners add one once exterior residential work is regular.

Screens and tracks

• Soft brush for screens
• Small detail brushes and a shop vacuum for tracks
• Drop cloths or towels to protect interior floors
• Shoe covers for inside work

Safety first

Falls from ladders are a serious risk. Set ladders at the right angle, on firm ground, and never overreach. Many window cleaners refuse anything above second-story ladder height until they have training and the right equipment. Carry general liability insurance, especially for storefronts and offices, which will often ask for it.

Get quotes by window count with the starter kit

Our window cleaning starter kit includes quotes by window count and stories, recurring service plans, storefront and residential price sheets, and a ladder safety checklist. See our guide to window cleaning prices, then vote for the window cleaning kit. Voters get 20% off at launch.