A little prep before a window cleaning appointment goes a long way. The crew can do better work in less time, you get a cleaner result, and the visit costs less if there's no extra time spent clearing obstacles. This is a practical checklist for homeowners and property managers preparing for a window cleaning visit.
Why prep matters
Window cleaning is faster and more thorough when the crew doesn't have to:
- Move furniture or decorations away from the windows
- Unlock interior gates, security bars, or window locks at every visit
- Navigate around toys, pets, or storage
- Reach over garden beds, BBQs, or outdoor furniture
- Park far away or work around vehicles
A 10-minute prep on your end often saves 30+ minutes of crew time, which translates to lower cost or more windows cleaned for the same price.
Interior prep checklist
A few things that take a few minutes but help a lot:
Clear the immediate area
- Move furniture 2–3 feet back from each window
- Take down curtains or blinds that hang in the cleaning path, or at least move them aside
- Remove plants, decorations, and small items from the sill or nearby surfaces
- Pull back any rugs that are right next to the windows (crews need floor space)
Window access
- Unlock the windows you want cleaned, especially casement windows and sliding windows that need to be opened for screen removal
- Test that all windows open — if one is stuck, the crew can usually help, but pointing it out before saves time
- Remove screens if you plan to clean them separately, or leave them in place and let the crew handle them
- Make sure window locks are accessible — most crews need to unlock windows to clean exterior tracks
Pets and kids
- Secure pets in a separate room or outside. Most cleaning products are pet-safe when dry, but it's better to keep pets out of the work area
- Plan for kids — either have someone else supervising, or arrange to keep them out of the cleaning zones
- Tell the crew in advance about any pet or kid considerations
Special items
- Move valuables and breakables away from the work area
- Note any particular concerns — stains you've been meaning to ask about, a window that's been hard to open, a screen that's torn
- Identify any glass that's special (low-e, tinted, antique) so the crew knows to use appropriate products
Exterior prep checklist
A few things outside the home that matter:
Ground access
- Move cars out of the driveway if the crew will need access to windows near the parking area
- Clear the path to exterior windows — gates, walkways, side yards
- Trim back plants that are blocking window access (or ask the crew in advance if they handle light trimming)
- Move outdoor furniture, BBQs, or planters away from windows the crew needs to reach
- Pick up dog toys, hoses, or garden tools that are in the way
Outdoor safety
- Close or secure gates to keep pets away from the work area
- Note any hazards — uneven ground, slippery surfaces, sprinkler heads in awkward spots
- Identify any windows above decks, balconies, or pool areas so the crew can plan access
Pool areas
If you have a pool and windows are nearby:
- Cover the pool if you prefer (most crews don't need it but it's your choice)
- Make sure the deck is clear and the crew has safe access around the pool
- Note any windows that are above water so the crew can plan equipment
Construction or recent work
If you've had any construction, renovation, or exterior work recently:
- Tell the crew in advance — post-construction cleaning is different from maintenance cleaning
- Note any leftover dust, debris, or paint that might affect cleaning
- Be ready to discuss whether you want a separate post-construction quote if the work is significant
Timing your prep
A few timing considerations:
Day-of vs. night-before
Most prep can happen the day before. Some homeowners prefer to:
- Prep the night before so the morning is calm and the crew arrives to a ready home
- Prep an hour before if the crew's schedule is unpredictable
- Ask the crew to handle some of it if you've booked a service that includes prep (some do, some don't)
Pick what fits your routine.
How long it takes
- Small home (5–10 windows): 15–30 minutes of prep
- Medium home (10–20 windows): 30–60 minutes
- Large home (20+ windows): 1–2 hours
- Commercial property: Variable, often much more
Most homeowners find that a focused prep pass is enough.
What to do during the cleaning
A few things that make the visit smoother:
Be available for questions
Most crews will have one or two questions during the visit:
- "Can I clean this window?" (especially for tinted, coated, or unusual glass)
- "This screen is torn — want me to flag it?"
- "I see hard-water stains here — want a quote for that?"
Being reachable for quick answers saves the crew from making assumptions.
Stay out of the way
Most cleaning crews work faster without people watching. Stepping out for an errand or working in another room is fine. Just be reachable.
Don't touch the wet glass
Glass is most vulnerable to fingerprints and smudges when it's wet. The crew's final pass is usually after they've cleaned — touching before then creates extra work.
Don't open windows until dry
Seals, tracks, and frames need to dry before the window is closed. Most crews leave windows slightly cracked for drying, especially exterior tracks.
Common things people forget
A few frequently missed items:
- The screen door or storm door — usually cleaned separately, but worth flagging
- Skylights — easy to forget, often need special equipment
- Mirrors in bathrooms — sometimes included, sometimes a separate quote
- Glass-front cabinets — easy to miss if you have a lot of cabinetry
- Picture frame glass — usually not part of window cleaning, but worth asking
- Pet doors with glass panels — usually included if they're at window height
- Glass balcony railings — usually cleaned if accessible
- Glass tabletops — sometimes included if it's at the same height as the windows
Make a quick walkthrough list of all glass you want cleaned and give it to the crew when they arrive. Saves back-and-forth.
What to do after the cleaning
A few things to handle after the crew finishes:
- Do a final walk-through with the crew lead before they leave
- Note any issues — streaks you see, screens that need attention, anything they flagged
- Confirm the invoice if you're paying on-site
- Tip appropriately if the work was good (most LA services accept tips, often 10–20% of the invoice)
- Schedule the next visit if you're on a recurring plan
If anything's off, mention it before the crew leaves — most services want to address issues while they're still on-site.
How to communicate special situations
A few things worth telling the crew in advance:
- Pets with anxiety — the noise of cleaning equipment can stress pets
- Allergies to specific products — most services offer fragrance-free or low-VOC options
- Security systems — some alarm systems monitor window activity
- Home office work schedules — if you need quiet for calls, let them know
- Recent construction or repairs — special cleaning may be needed
- Special glass — antique, stained, leaded, frosted all need different handling
- Accessibility needs — for residents with mobility challenges
The more the crew knows upfront, the better they can serve you.
What we offer
Window Cleaners Los Angeles provides residential and commercial window cleaning across the LA area. We arrive with our own equipment, respect your home and time, and document any issues we spot during cleaning. For our regular customers, we send a brief prep reminder a day before each visit. Free quotes available.
📞 Call (310) 526-3974 or [request a free quote online](https://windowcleanerslosangeles.com/book). Service area: Los Angeles.