What are the most common window cleaning problems? (And how do you avoid them?)

By Josh Morrell, Owner of Morrells Window Cleaning  |  Published: 22 October 2026  |  Last updated: 22 October 2026

If you’ve landed on this page, there’s a good chance something’s gone wrong with a window cleaner — or you’re about to hire one and want to know what to watch out for. Either way, you’re in the right place.

We’ve been cleaning windows across Leeds, Bradford, Pontefract and the surrounding areas since 2018, and we now look after around 2,000 homes. We’ve seen pretty much every problem there is — and, if we’re honest, we’ve caused a few of them ourselves over the years. This guide is an honest look at what goes wrong, why, and what you can do about it.

One thing first: this isn’t about knocking other window cleaners. There are plenty of brilliant one-man-band and small window cleaners in Leeds, and plenty of bigger companies who get things wrong. Price and size don’t decide whether you’ll have problems. How a business is run does.

How does window cleaning actually work? (The bit most people never get told)

Understanding how the job is done clears up about 80% of the “problems” people contact us about. There are two main methods:

1. Water-fed pole (pure water) cleaning

This is how most modern window cleaners work. Tap water is filtered until it’s almost completely pure — no minerals, no chemicals. It’s pumped up a long pole to a brush, which scrubs the glass and frames, then the window is rinsed and left wet to dry.

Because the water has nothing left in it, it dries without leaving marks. It also means windows up to three or four storeys can be cleaned from the ground, which is far safer than ladders.

2. Traditional cleaning (squeegee and ladders)

The classic method: soapy water, a mop, a squeegee and a cloth. Done well, it gives a brilliant finish on the glass, but frames and sills often get less attention, and higher windows mean ladders.

What’s normal (and what isn’t)

• Normal: windows dripping wet when the cleaner leaves (pure water method).
• Normal: a few spots on the first one or two cleans after switching to pure water, as years of old residue works its way out of the frames and seals.
• Normal: visit dates moving by a few days because of weather.
• Not normal: spots and streaks on every clean, months in.
• Not normal: missed visits with no message.
• Not normal: being charged without any idea what for, or when.

Why are my windows spotty or streaky after the window cleaner’s been?

This is the most common complaint in the industry. The usual causes are:

• Dirty frames or seals. If the frames weren’t scrubbed properly, dirt runs down onto the glass as it dries.
• The water wasn’t pure enough. Filters need replacing regularly. If they’re past their best, minerals get through and leave spots.
• Not enough rinsing. Rushing the rinse leaves dirty water sitting on the glass.
• It’s the first clean or two on pure water. Old soap and residue can take a couple of visits to clear (see above).
• Rain soon after. Rain on a clean window usually dries fine — rain is dirty because it picks up dust on the way down and off the roof, but on clean glass it rarely leaves much. Heavy rain onto dirty frames is a different story.
• It’s actually the inside. Sun shining through a clean outside shows up every mark on the inside of the glass. Worth checking with a fingertip before calling!

What to do: take a photo and send it to your window cleaner within a day or two. Any decent window cleaner will come back and redo the affected windows free of charge. We do.

Why does my window cleaner keep missing visits or turning up late?

Window cleaning runs on “rounds” — a route of houses cleaned in order. If one day is lost to high winds or a van breaks down, everything behind it shifts. A few days either side is normal. Weeks with no word is not.

Missed visits usually come down to one of three things: the round is too big for the people doing it, there’s no backup when someone’s ill or on holiday, or there’s no system for telling customers when things change.

What to do: ask how you’ll be told when your clean is coming, and what happens if they can’t make it. We text every customer the evening before their clean, so you’re never left guessing.

Do I need to be home when the window cleaner comes?

For outside-only window cleaning, usually not — and that’s where a lot of confusion starts. Most problems here are about access:

• Side or back gates locked
• Cars parked tight against windows
• Dogs in the garden
• Bins, plant pots or furniture under windows

With us, you don’t need to be home. You’ll get a text the evening before, and we just ask that gates are left unlocked. If a gate’s locked and we can’t get to the back, we may still have to charge, because the visit has been made and the slot used. That’s common across the industry, but not everyone tells you up front — so always ask.

Why have my frames, sills or doors not been cleaned?

“Windows” means different things to different window cleaners. To some it’s just the glass. To others it’s glass, frames and sills. Some include the glass in doors; some don’t. Conservatory roofs, fascias, soffits and gutters are almost always separate.

This isn’t usually a problem with the cleaner — it’s a problem with nobody explaining what’s included. What to do: before you start, get it in writing (a text or email is fine) exactly what’s included in your price.

Why is there misting or fog inside my double glazing?

If the cloudiness is between the two panes of glass, the seal on the unit has failed and moisture has got in. No window cleaner can clean that — the sealed unit needs replacing by a glazier. It’s one of the most common things we get asked about, and it’s often only noticed for the first time once the rest of the glass is properly clean.

Similarly, white crusty marks (limescale or “hard water” staining) and scratches in the glass can’t be removed with a normal clean. A good window cleaner should point these out rather than leave you thinking they’ve done a poor job.

I’ve been charged and I’m not sure what for — is that normal?

Payment confusion causes more fallings-out than streaky windows. Common issues include not knowing when payment will be taken, cash left out and “lost”, being chased for a clean you didn’t know happened, or charges for visits where access wasn’t possible.

The fix is simple: a clear payment method and a record of every visit. We take payment by Direct Debit within 7 days of each clean, so there’s no cash to leave out, no chasing, and you can see every payment on your bank statement. Direct Debit also comes with the Direct Debit Guarantee, so you’re protected if anything is ever taken in error.

What if my window cleaner damages something?

It’s rare, but accidents happen — a pole knocks a hanging basket, a ladder marks a sill, a gate gets left open. The question is whether the window cleaner is insured and owns up to it.

What to do: ask any window cleaner whether they have public liability insurance before they start. A professional will happily show you proof.

My window cleaner has just stopped coming — what now?

This happens more than you’d think. People retire, move away, get injured, or sell their round to someone else. Sometimes customers simply aren’t told.

It’s worth giving them a call or a text first — there may be a simple explanation. If you get no answer after a couple of weeks, it’s fine to find someone new. If you were paying by Direct Debit, you can cancel the mandate yourself through your bank at any time.

What makes problems more (or less) likely?

No window cleaner is problem-free. But some things make problems more or less likely, whoever you choose:

Are there any hidden costs that cause problems later?

Most disagreements about money aren’t about the price itself — they’re about something nobody mentioned. Ask about these before you start:

• Locked gates or no access: will you still be charged? (With us, you may be.)
• First clean price: some homes need a heavier first clean, priced separately.
• Extras: conservatory roofs, glass in doors, skylights and Velux windows.
• Cancelling: is there a notice period or cancellation fee?
• Price rises: how often do they happen, and how will you be told?

If you want to see how pricing works in more detail, read our guide: How much does a window cleaner cost in Leeds?

Are we the right window cleaner for you?

We’d rather be honest now than have problems later. Here’s who we suit, and who we don’t:

If you’re in the right-hand column, that’s absolutely fine — there are good window cleaners in Leeds who’ll suit you better, and we’d rather you found the right one.

5 questions to ask any window cleaner (including us)

These five questions will avoid most of the problems on this page before they ever happen:

1. “What exactly is included in the price?” Glass only, or frames, sills and doors too?
2. “How will I know when you’re coming?” A text, an email, nothing at all?
3. “What happens if you miss a clean or I’m not happy?” Will they come back and redo it?
4. “How and when do I pay — and what if you can’t get access?”
5. “Are you insured?” Public liability insurance, with proof if you ask.

If a window cleaner can answer all five clearly and without hesitation, you’re very likely in good hands — whether that’s us or someone else.

What do our customers say?

We’ve got over 300 five-star reviews and were named one of the Three Best Rated window cleaners in Leeds from 2023 to 2025. Here are a few from customers who mentioned the things on this page:

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for windows to be left wet after cleaning?

Yes, if your window cleaner uses a water-fed pole and pure water. The water is filtered so it dries without marks, so there’s no need to dry the glass.

Does rain ruin freshly cleaned windows?

Usually not. Rain on clean glass and clean frames tends to dry with very little marking. Most marks after rain come from dirt washing down off frames, sills or the roof.

Will a window cleaner come in bad weather?

Light rain is generally fine for pure water cleaning. Strong winds are the main thing that stops work, because long poles become unsafe. Expect your date to move by a few days now and then, especially in winter.

What should I do if I’m not happy with a clean?

Tell your window cleaner within a day or two, ideally with a photo. With us, we’ll come back and redo the affected windows at no extra cost.

Can I change how often my windows are cleaned?

With us, yes — you can switch between 4-weekly and 8-weekly cleans whenever you like. Just ask.

Can you clean the misting inside my double glazing?

No. Misting between the panes means the seal has failed. You’ll need a glazier to replace the sealed unit.

About the author: Josh Morrell

Josh started out helping his dad with window cleaning and set up Morrells in 2018. Today the business has four vans, a full-time team and around 2,000 regular customers across Leeds, Bradford, Pontefract and the surrounding areas. He writes these guides to give homeowners honest answers — even when the answer isn’t “use us”.

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