Interior vs. Exterior Window Cleaning: What You Need to Know
When you call a window cleaning company, the first question they'll ask is whether you want interior, exterior, or both. Knowing the difference helps you book the right service and avoid paying for what you don't need.
What's Included in Each Service
Exterior cleaning includes:
- Outside glass washed and squeegeed
- Frames and sills wiped
- Screens brushed or rinsed
- Tracks rinsed (basic wipe)
Interior cleaning includes everything above for the inside, plus:
- Inside glass washed and squeegeed streak-free
- Interior sills detailed
- Tracks vacuumed and wiped
- Furniture moved as needed
- Drop-cloths used to protect floors and furnishings
Which Service Do You Need?
Book exterior-only if:
Your interior glass still looks clean and you mainly want to address weather-related grime — pollen, rain spots, dust, or bird droppings. Exterior-only is also the standard for storefronts where the inside is wiped daily by staff.
Book interior + exterior if:
You haven't had a professional cleaning in 6+ months, you're prepping for an event or listing your home, or you want to see a real "before and after." Most of the visible film inside windows comes from cooking grease, off-gassing, and HVAC dust — and that's only solved with an interior wash.
Price Difference
Exterior-only is typically 50–60% of the full price. For a medium home, that might be $100–$175 exterior-only vs. $200–$350 for interior + exterior.
A Note on "Tracks and Screens"
Many homeowners assume tracks and screens are always included. Some companies include a basic wipe; others charge $2–$5 per window for full track-detail or screen washing. Always confirm what's included before booking — a "deep clean" should always cover tracks, sills, screens, and frames.