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What can I use to clean hard-to-reach windows?
Updated October 19, 2026
It depends on why the window is hard to reach. For tall glass inside, use a squeegee and scrubber on an extension pole. For upper-floor windows, check whether they tilt in or open inward so you can clean the outside from inside; if not, an extension pole from the ground may reach. For large, smooth glass you can reach from inside, an automated window cleaning system can clean the full pane. For glass you could only reach from a ladder you're not comfortable on, by leaning out, or over a roof, hire a professional.
Match the tool to the problem
| Why it's hard to reach | What to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tall glass inside, such as floor-to-ceiling windows | Extension pole with squeegee and scrubber; a step stool for the last bit | Work from the floor wherever possible |
| Upper-floor windows, outside | Tilt-in or inward-opening sashes, cleaned from inside | Check your window maker's instructions |
| Second-story glass, outside, from the ground | Extension pole, or a window vacuum on a pole | A streak-free finish is harder from a distance |
| Large, smooth glass you can reach from inside | Automated window cleaning system | Clip the safety rope to an indoor anchor; never lean out to place it |
| Behind furniture, in stairwells, above stairs | Extension pole; move furniture rather than stretch over it | Avoid ladders on stairs unless they're designed for it |
| Over a roof, very high, or skylights | A professional | Not a DIY job |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The reach tools, briefly
Extension pole
The most useful single tool. A pole that takes both a scrubber and a squeegee lets you clean tall interior glass and many ground-floor and some second-story exteriors without climbing. Consumer NZ notes it's harder to get a perfect finish on glass you can't get close to, so expect to accept a little less polish on the highest panes.
Tilt-in sashes
Many double-hung windows tilt in so you can clean the outside from inside. Pella, for example, describes raising the lower sash a few inches and tilting each sash in. It's the safest way to clean upper-floor exterior glass, if your windows allow it.
Other reach tools
A window vacuum on a pole, a magnetic two-sided cleaner rated for your glass thickness, and a water-fed pole can all help in specific cases. Our guide to what tools make window cleaning easier covers each, including their limits.
Automated window cleaning system
For large, smooth glass, an automated window cleaning system holds itself to the pane with suction and cleans the full height, including the top you can't reach. It suits tall interior glass and exterior glass you can reach safely from inside. The Window Washing Robot is designed for this: you place it from a secure spot inside, clip its safety rope to a sturdy indoor anchor and stay nearby while it works. It isn't for small divided panes, skylights, or glass you'd have to lean out to reach.
If you use a ladder
The American Ladder Institute's basics:
- Set up on firm, level ground, with nothing slippery at the base or the top.
- Use a ladder long enough that you don't stand on the top rung or step.
- Face the ladder and keep three points of contact while climbing.
- Keep your belt buckle between the rails and don't overreach; move the ladder instead.
- Wear clean, slip-resistant shoes, and stay off in high wind.
If you'd need to carry a bucket up the ladder, work above a roof, or reach out sideways to get the glass, that window is a job for a professional.
When to hire a professional
- Exterior glass above the ground floor that doesn't tilt in and is out of reach of a pole
- Windows over a roof, a slope or a drop
- Skylights and overhead glass
- Any window where you'd be leaning out or working at a height you're not comfortable with
See whether you need a professional window cleaner for how to choose one, and keeping floor-to-ceiling windows clean for tall interior glass.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean high windows without a ladder?
Use a squeegee and scrubber on an extension pole from the floor or ground, clean upper-floor exteriors from inside if the windows tilt in, or use a window vacuum on a pole. For large, smooth glass reachable from inside, an automated window cleaning system can clean the full height of the pane.
How do I clean the outside of second-story windows?
If the windows tilt in or open inward, clean the outside from inside following the maker's instructions. Otherwise, an extension pole from the ground may reach. If the only option is a ladder you're not comfortable on, or leaning out, hire a professional.
Do magnetic window cleaners work on double-pane windows?
Only models rated for the total thickness of your glass unit. Double-pane units are much thicker than a single sheet of glass, so check the thickness rating before you buy.
What do professionals use to clean high windows?
Many use water-fed poles that spray purified water, which dries without spots, along with ladders and, on tall buildings, specialist access equipment. Water-fed poles are effective but costly for occasional home use.
Can a window cleaning robot clean windows I can't reach?
It can clean the parts of a large, smooth pane you can't reach, such as the top of a tall window, as long as you can place it on the glass and remove it from a secure spot inside. It isn't for windows you'd have to lean out or climb to reach.
Most hard-to-reach glass is solved by reach, not risk: an extension pole, tilt-in sashes, a window vacuum on a pole, or an automated system on large, smooth panes you can reach from inside. When the only way to the glass is a ladder you're not comfortable on, leaning out, or a roof, hire a professional.