Short answer: If your windows are within reach, you have the right tools, and you genuinely want to learn the technique, doing it yourself can work. But for most households, a professional saves time, delivers better results, and spares you the headache. Here is how to decide.
The Two Questions Nobody Asks
Before you reach for a squeegee or pick up the phone, consider two questions most people skip.
First: Can I do this myself?
Technically, yes. Window cleaning is not rocket science. But cleaning windows properly requires a specific technique, the right tools, and a level of physical effort most people seriously underestimate.
Second: Do I actually want to do this myself?
That is the question that really matters. Because even if you can clean your own windows, spending your Saturday wrestling with a squeegee, waking up sore the next morning, and still finding streaks is not everyone's idea of a great weekend.
I have been cleaning windows professionally for 25 years. I started in 1999 in Melbourne and have been running my Vienna-based business since 2010. I love window cleaning. But I completely understand why most of my clients would rather spend their weekends doing something else.
What DIY Window Cleaning Actually Involves
Let me be straight with you about what you are getting into.
Time: A typical Viennese apartment with 10 to 15 windows takes 3 to 4 hours to clean properly, inside and out. A house with more than 20 windows? A full day. And that assumes you already know what you are doing.
Physical effort: Window cleaning is surprisingly demanding. Reaching, bending, climbing, pushing. Most of my clients who have tried it themselves tell me they were sore for days afterward.
Tool costs: A decent squeegee, scrubber, microfiber sleeves, telescoping pole, bucket, and proper cleaning solution will run you around 100 to 200 euros. Cheap hardware-store tools create more problems than they solve.
The learning curve: Nobody tells you this part. The squeegee technique that looks straightforward is actually precise. The angle matters (45 degrees, not flat). The pressure matters. The overlap matters. The sequence of strokes matters. Get any of it wrong and you will have streaks.
I have spent 25 years perfecting these movements. Most DIY attempts leave marks because the technique takes real time to develop.
The Real Cost of Doing It Yourself
Most people calculate the DIY savings incorrectly.
They think: Professional cleaning costs 200 euros. I save 200 euros.
What they forget: Your time has value. The tools cost money. The frustration when streaks appear has a cost too.
A more honest breakdown:
- Tools: 150 euros (one-time, but they do need replacing)
- Your time: 4 to 6 hours multiplied by what your time is worth
- Physical recovery: An evening on the couch instead of doing something you actually enjoy
- Quality of results: Probably 60 to 70 percent of what a professional achieves
For ground-floor windows you clean twice a year, DIY can make sense. For anything else, the math shifts quickly.
When Doing It Yourself Makes Sense
I am not here to tell you that you absolutely need to hire a professional. For some situations, DIY is perfectly reasonable.
Doing it yourself can work if:
- All your windows are at ground level or within safe reach
- You have the right tools (or are willing to invest in them)
- You genuinely want to learn the technique
- You have the time and physical ability
- You are comfortable accepting results that may not be perfect
If that sounds like you, I have a free training video that covers the core technique. It walks through the three essential squeegee strokes, the right soap-to-water ratio, and the scrubbing method that prevents streaks. You can find it at orloffs.com/manifesto.
When Hiring a Pro Makes Sense
For most of my clients in Vienna, professional window cleaning comes down to three things: time, quality, and peace of mind.
Hire a professional when:
- You have high windows, skylights, or hard-to-reach areas
- Safety is a concern (ladders, balconies, steep angles)
- Your windows have hard water stains, mineral deposits, or years of buildup
- You want streak-free results without a learning curve
- Your time is worth more than the cost of the service
- You do not want to do it yourself
There is nothing wrong with that last one. I love to cook, but I also go out to restaurants. Some things are better left to people who do them every single day.
What a Professional Actually Does
The difference between DIY and professional results comes down to technique, tools, and experience.
Technique: After 25 years, my hands know exactly how much pressure to apply, the angle at which to hold the squeegee, and how to execute each stroke without leaving a trace. That muscle memory takes years to develop. You cannot pick it up from a YouTube video.
Tools: I use professional squeegees with precision-ground rubber, scrubbers with microfiber sleeves, reverse osmosis systems for exterior cleaning, and telescoping poles that reach safely. These tools cost thousands of euros and are not available at your local hardware store.
Experience: I know that Vienna's hard water leaves specific mineral deposits. I know that certain window coatings require different cleaning approaches. I know how to clean around sensitive seals without damaging them. Every job teaches me something new.
The result: Crystal-clear glass with no streaks, no drips, no residue. Frames and seals cleaned and checked. A transformation that makes you notice your view again.
The Transformation Nobody Expects
After their first professional cleaning, my clients always tell me the same thing: they had no idea how dirty their windows actually were.
When you look through slightly dirty glass every day, your eyes adjust. You stop noticing the film, the water spots, the gradual dimming of the light. It becomes normal.
Then the windows get properly cleaned, and everything changes. Light pours in. Colours look brighter. The view you paid for when you bought your apartment suddenly reappears.
That transformation is worth more than the cost of the service.
How to Choose a Professional Window Cleaner
If you decide to hire a pro, here is what to look for.
Experience matters. Ask how long they have been working. This craft takes years to master.
Reviews tell the truth. Check Google reviews. Look for consistency: do multiple customers mention the same level of quality?
Fixed pricing protects you. A professional should assess your property and give you a set price, not an hourly rate that can spiral upward.
Insurance is non-negotiable. Make sure they carry liability insurance. Accidents happen, and you do not want to be left holding the bill.
Availability says something. The best window cleaners are booked out in advance. If someone can come tomorrow, ask yourself why their calendar is empty.
About My Service
I have been cleaning windows professionally since 1999. In 2010, I relocated from Melbourne to Vienna and built my business from the ground up in a new country with a new language.
Today my calendar is booked a year in advance. I have more than 35 five-star reviews on Google and a 95 percent repeat client rate. I work with partners including Sky-Frame, Swarovski, Raiffeisen, and OBB.
I clean windows because I love the transformation. There is something deeply satisfying about taking dirty, streaky glass and making it disappear.
My services:
- Residential window cleaning (interior and exterior)
- Commercial window cleaning
- Facade cleaning
- Fly screen cleaning
- Gutter cleaning
- Hard water stain removal
- Pure water / reverse osmosis cleaning for exterior surfaces
My guarantee: If you are not completely satisfied with my work, I will come back and make it right at no charge.
Request a Free Quote
Ready to see the difference professional window cleaning makes?
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote. I will assess your property and give you a fixed price with no surprises.
Or if you want to try it yourself first, start with my free technique video at orloffs.com/manifesto. No sign-up required.
Either way, I want you to enjoy clean windows. That is what counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is professional window cleaning worth it?
For most households, yes. The time saved (4 to 8 hours), the quality difference, and the safety factor for high or difficult windows make professional cleaning a worthwhile investment. Most clients book twice a year.
How often should I have my windows professionally cleaned?
Most Viennese households benefit from cleaning twice a year: spring and autumn. Apartments on busy streets or with large glass surfaces may need quarterly cleaning.
What can a professional do that I cannot?
Professionals bring the right technique (specific angles and stroke sequences), professional-grade tools, safety equipment, knowledge of hard water deposits, and the ability to clean frames and seals properly. The result is streak-free glass without compromise.
How much does professional window cleaning cost in Vienna?
Prices range from around 300 euros for smaller apartments to over 1,500 euros for larger properties. It depends on the number of windows, accessibility, and condition. I provide fixed pricing after assessing your property.
Why do I get streaks when I clean my own windows?
Streaks come from too much cleaning solution, the wrong squeegee angle, or incorrect technique. Professionals use minimal soap, hold the squeegee at 45 degrees, and use specific overlapping strokes that prevent any marks from forming.