How to Clean Second-Story Windows Safely

Second-story windows are the ones homeowners most often neglect — and for understandable reasons. They're harder to reach, ladders make people nervous, and the consequences of a fall are serious. But upper-floor windows collect just as much grime as lower ones, and the build-up becomes visible from the street. Here's how to approach them safely, including when to skip the DIY entirely.

The Risk Reality

Falls from ladders are among the most common causes of serious home injury in Canada. According to the Canada Safety Council, thousands of Canadians visit emergency rooms each year due to ladder-related falls, and falls from as little as eight feet — roughly the height of a typical second-story window — can cause life-altering injuries. This isn't meant to be alarmist; it's the context that makes understanding safer alternatives genuinely important.

The typical second-storey window on a Kitchener or Waterloo home sits between twelve and sixteen feet off the ground. Reaching it requires an extension ladder at least sixteen feet tall, set at the correct angle, on stable and level ground, with someone present to foot the base. Many residential properties don't have the clear, stable ground access around the perimeter that ladder work requires — flower beds, air conditioner units, uneven patios, and sloped terrain all create hazards.

Beyond the fall risk, ladder work while holding a bucket of water and a squeegee requires both hands to be on tools rather than on the ladder. That single fact — needing both hands for the task — is what makes window cleaning from a ladder particularly dangerous compared to other ladder tasks.

Water-Fed Pole Systems

The professional standard for cleaning upper-floor windows without ladders is the water-fed pole system. This technology consists of a telescoping carbon fibre or fibreglass pole — typically extending to 30 or even 50 feet for larger commercial applications — with a brush head connected to a pure water supply. The operator stays safely on the ground while the brush scrubs the glass and the pure water rinse leaves the glass spotless as it dries.

The "pure water" component is key. Ordinary tap water leaves mineral spots when it dries (as discussed in our article on hard water stains). Water-fed pole systems use deionized or reverse-osmosis-filtered water with a dissolved solids level close to zero. When this water dries on glass, it leaves nothing behind — no spots, no streaks, no residue. The result is often cleaner glass than conventional squeegee method produces.

Consumer-grade water-fed poles are available for purchase at around $100 to $300 for basic setups, though without the pure water filtration system (which adds $200 to $1,000 more), you'll still be rinsing with mineral-laden tap water and dealing with spots. For a twice-per-year task, the full equipment investment rarely makes financial sense for a homeowner; it makes much more sense for professional cleaners who use it daily.

Extension Squeegee Technique

For homeowners who want to manage their own upper windows without the investment of a full water-fed pole system, an extension squeegee is the next best option. These consist of a standard window squeegee on an extension pole (typically 6 to 12 feet) that brings your reach up to around 14 to 16 feet when standing on the ground or a short step stool.

The technique requires a strip washer applicator (also on an extension pole) to apply soapy water first, followed by the squeegee to remove it. Working with tools on long poles reduces precision, so expect to take a few attempts to develop your technique. Start with horizontal squeegee strokes rather than the diagonal professional method, as horizontal is easier to control at the end of a long pole.

For windows above 14 to 16 feet, or for windows set back into recesses, extension squeegees become impractical. The mechanical disadvantage of a long pole makes proper pressure and angle difficult to maintain, often resulting in streaking and missed corners. At that point, a ladder or professional service is needed.

Ladder Safety If You Must

If you decide ladder access is necessary for your upper windows, follow these non-negotiable safety rules. Set your ladder at the correct angle: the base should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height. For a 16-foot reach, the base sits four feet from the wall. This 75-degree angle is the balance point between too steep (tips backward) and too shallow (slips at the base).

Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder — both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot. This means you cannot hold a bucket and a squeegee simultaneously while on the ladder. Use a ladder with a paint shelf or tool hook, and hook your bucket there. Work with one tool at a time, return to three-point contact between steps, and never reach farther sideways than your belt buckle from the ladder's centre.

Never lean out a window to clean the exterior while standing inside. The combination of unbalanced position, wet hands, and potentially loose window hardware creates a serious fall hazard. Never place a ladder on ice, wet grass, or uneven ground without appropriate stabilizers. Always have a second person present to foot the base of the ladder — this single precaution prevents the most common type of ladder fall.

Professional Window Cleaning

For most homeowners in Kitchener-Waterloo, the simplest and safest solution for upper-floor windows is professional cleaning. Our window cleaning team uses water-fed pole systems that clean second, third, and even fourth-floor windows from the ground — no ladders required on standard residential properties. This means the job is safer, faster, and often produces better results than ladder-based methods.

For windows that require ladder access (certain configurations, large casements, etc.), our technicians are trained and equipped for safe elevated work, with proper non-slip footwear, secured ladders, and the physical practice of ladder safety that comes with doing it professionally every day.

We include all accessible exterior windows — ground floor and upper floors — in our standard window cleaning quote. There's no upcharge for upper floors on most standard two-storey homes. When you book with us, every window on your home gets cleaned in a single visit.

Cost Comparison

When homeowners calculate whether DIY or professional window cleaning makes more financial sense, they often underestimate the true cost of DIY. A quality extension squeegee and applicator costs $60 to $120. Replacement squeegee rubbers, cleaning solution, and microfibre towels add another $30 to $60 per year. Time investment for a thorough two-storey clean is typically three to five hours.

Professional window cleaning for a standard two-storey home in the Waterloo Region costs $150 to $350 for a full exterior clean. That price includes labour, equipment, and — importantly — the insurance coverage and safety training that protects you if anything goes wrong. Over two cleanings per year, the annual cost is $300 to $700 versus roughly $100 in materials plus 6 to 10 hours of your time and the ladder risk.

D&D Home Services TeamExterior Cleaning Experts

D&D Home Services is Kitchener-Waterloo's trusted exterior cleaning company. We've served hundreds of homeowners across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph.