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- Clean windows and other glass surfaces for businesses or homeowners
- You'll work outdoors and often at heights
- Work for a cleaning contractor or set up your own business
As a window cleaner you'll wash windows and other glass surfaces on different types of buildings, like private homes, schools, offices, shops, and hospitals. You might also be asked to do other work at height, such as clearing gutters and cleaning paintwork or window frames. If you're self-employed, you'll also need to market your cleaning services, collect payments and complete your accounts and tax returns.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Mixing cleaning chemicals and detergents
- Using ladders
- Using water-fed poles
- Cleaning windows on high buildings using cradles or ropes
- Keeping a record of payment or completing customer reports
- Safely storing and transporting equipment
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Cleaning company employees will be paid a salary, and can earn more as team leaders. Self-employed window cleaners set their own rates, and their earnings depend on how many customers they have, and what they can charge.
If you're self-employed, you'll be able to choose the hours you work. You may work longer hours in summer to cover the shorter days in winter, and you'll usually work outdoors in most weather conditions, and often at height.
You'll need
There are no set entry requirements, but you'll need the ability to work at heights, the ability to learn to use power-operated lifting equipment for high level cleaning, awareness of health and safety regulations, organisation skills, and literacy and numeracy skills.
You could apply directly to become a window cleaner with a company, buy an existing round or set up your own business. You don't need any formal qualifications to do this.
You could also get into this job through an apprenticeship like an intermediate apprenticeship in cleaning and support services.
A driving licence will be helpful.
CAREER PROSPECTS
You could work for contract cleaners or specialist window cleaning firms. With experience, you may be able to progress to become a supervisor or manager. You may start your own business, working alone or employing staff.