✦ Your cleaner home starts hereNorfolk & Suffolk · Free guide prices · No obligation
Home / Cleaning guides / Water-fed pole or traditional window cleaning?WINDOW CLEANING · 4 min read

Water-fed pole or traditional window cleaning?

A plain-English comparison of two common ways exterior windows are cleaned.

If you've seen a window cleaner using a long pole from the ground, you've seen one of the common alternatives to working with a ladder and a squeegee. The best approach depends on the property, not just the equipment.

Water-fed pole cleaning

A water-fed pole allows suitable exterior glass to be reached from ground level using water delivered through a brush. It can also help clean accessible frames and sills. The equipment reduces the need to reach some upper-storey windows from a ladder, although difficult access and unusual surfaces still need a separate safety assessment.

Traditional squeegee cleaning

Traditional cleaning involves wetting glass and removing the water with a squeegee. It's familiar for reachable windows and some internal glass, but it may be impractical for high or awkward exterior glazing without further equipment.

Will windows look wet after a pole clean?

Sometimes. Depending on the method, the water may be left to dry. A cleaner should explain what to expect and whether any existing deposits or damaged seals could affect the finish.

Can every window be cleaned the same way?

No. Leaded glass, old paintwork, fragile frames, specialist coatings and awkward roof glazing may need a different approach. The cleaner should confirm what is suitable for your particular property.

What should you ask?

Ask whether exterior glass, frames and sills are included and flag any windows you're worried about. Explore window cleaning in East Anglia or read what makes a first clean different.

Interested in exploring a guide price?

You can use our calculator without sharing contact details. If you want to hear more, choose how you'd prefer to be contacted. An enquiry doesn't book any work.

Explore window cleaning