How do you clean high up sash windows?

[grosvena]

We live on the fourth floor of a Georgian townhouse (apartments) in Central London. We have lovely large sash windows. But with the London grime and air pollution, they are filthy after about a week or two.

The only way of cleaning them is to hang out of the window and do the bits that can be reached. Then to get a step ladder inside and lower the top half, and then clean those bits in reach. This takes about an hour to do 4 windows!

Window cleaner wanted £40 a clean for just two windows at the front. The two at the back are impossible for them to reach due to an array of extensions on the lower floors.

Is there some magic trick I am missing? A spray that does the job for you?

Similar issue here, except I'm in Edinburgh.

It seems that here the options are to either not do it at all, or find a window cleaner who works with hydraulic lifts or an extendable pole/sponge/squeegee. Most of the window cleaners on ladders don't want to go higher than the second or third floor.

Some buildings have sashes/casements that hinge inwards sideways — might be worth checking if yours do that, if you haven't already.

With us, the windows at the front get done occasionally when the entire building can be persuaded to cough up for a commercial window cleaner who has the right equipment. (Many of the flats here are rented out, and the owners don't want to spend the money, so it doesn't happen very often.)

The ones at the back usually get left, because a bit like you there's a complex arrangement at the back of courtyards outside basements and lower ground floors, and access is only through the ground floor flat.

I think they all clubbed together once and paid for a rope access window cleaner who abseiled down from the roof in a harness. It was expensive though.

I've learned to live with slightly grimy windows.

Do you have a building factor, concierge or management company who you could ask about it? Sometimes it's a building services thing.

Could you not book a window cleaner once a month to come clean them? We've got some awkward, high up windows that I would never be able to reach, and the window cleaner uses a huge extending pole thing to clean them from ground floor level.

Sorry, I've just read the second part of your original message- that quote seems an awful lot! Is it worth seeing if any other residents in the block would like to arrange clean at the same time- you might be able to negotiate a bulk discount? I'd also ask if you see anyone cleaning domestic or commercial windows nearby- if they already have a round in the area it might be a little cheaper if they don't have to arrange a special trip. Alternatively, it looks like you can buy one of the telescopic poles as well: https://www.windowcleaningpoles.co.uk/