For care homes, plan window cleaning around residents first: a fixed weekday at a quiet time, privacy for ground-floor rooms, no ladders against the building, quiet kit and clear sign-in. Pure water and water-fed poles suit care homes because the cleaner stays on the ground and uses no chemicals.
Why care homes are different
A care home is somebody’s home first and a workplace second. Residents may be in bed, getting dressed or receiving care in rooms with ground-floor windows. Someone with dementia may be unsettled by a stranger outside the glass. A good window cleaner plans around that rather than around the quickest route round the building.
That usually means agreeing a fixed day and time with the manager, starting with communal areas and offices, and leaving residents’ rooms until staff have confirmed it is a good moment. Curtains can be drawn and rooms skipped and returned to later.
Is water-fed pole cleaning suitable for care homes?
Yes, and it is the method most care homes prefer. The cleaner stays on the ground, so there are no ladders against the building, no one at first-floor windows and no risk of a ladder near a fire exit or a garden used by residents. It is quiet and uses only purified water, so there are no chemical smells near open windows.
Purified water also leaves no detergent on sills and frames, which matters in homes where residents sit by windows or touch the frames.
What about conservatories and gardens?
Many care homes have conservatories, garden rooms and lounges with large glazed walls. These are often the rooms residents spend most time in, so clean glass makes a real difference to light and view. Conservatory roofs are usually priced separately, as they take more time and care than vertical glass.
Gardens used by residents should be kept clear of hoses while people are outside. We agree with staff when the garden is free and keep kit tidy and out of walkways.
How often should care home windows be cleaned?
Most care homes suit outside cleaning every four to eight weeks, with entrances and the main lounge glass more often. Inside glass in lounges and dining rooms is often done every second visit. Residents’ rooms inside are usually handled by the home’s own housekeeping team, but can be added if you need help.
Paperwork and sign-in
Expect the cleaner to sign in and out every visit and follow your visitor rules. If your organisation needs a method statement, insurance details or other paperwork for contractors, ask for it at the start. One invoice per home, with the date and what was cleaned, makes it easy to keep records tidy for audits.
What should be agreed before the first visit?
Agree the day and time, the order the building is cleaned in, which rooms need staff to check first, where the van parks, which gates and doors can be used, and who the cleaner reports to on arrival. Share any paperwork your organisation needs from contractors. Writing these down once means every visit runs the same way, and new staff at the home know what to expect.
Quick questions
Can you avoid residents’ rooms on request?
Yes. Rooms can be skipped and cleaned later once staff say it is a good time.
Do you clean conservatory roofs at care homes?
Yes, priced separately after the site survey.
Will the cleaning be noisy?
No. Water-fed pole cleaning is quiet and there are no ladders being moved around.
