What to Expect When Your Window Cleaner Arrives
You've booked a window clean with Zen, the day's confirmed, and now you're wondering what actually happens. Do you need to be home? Should you move furniture? What's the process?
Here's how a Zen window clean works from start to finish — what to expect, what you need to do, and what gets handled for you.
TLDR QUICK ANSWER:
You don't need to be home as long as you've confirmed what you want done
Clear windowsills, secure pets — furniture stays where it is
Order: tracks → screens → inside glass → outside glass (nothing drips where it shouldn't)
You'll get booking confirmation, reminder day before, and on-the-way text with ETA
Payment on the day (cash/card) or invoice for bank transfer
Before the Day
Once you've booked, you'll get confirmation via text and email. The day before, you'll receive a reminder. On the day, you'll get an on-the-way text with an ETA so you're not left guessing.
What You Need to Do
Clear windowsills — remove plants, ornaments, anything breakable
Leave furniture where it is — it's worked around, not moved
Confirm any specific requests or problem areas at booking
You don't need to be home during the clean as long as access is sorted and you've confirmed what you want done. Many clients leave a key or just leave doors unlocked and head out.
What Gets Brought to the Job
Everything needed to clean your windows comes with the job:
Water-fed poles for reaching upper storeys without ladders
Ladders for areas that need them
Squeegees, buckets, cleaning solutions
Towels for spot protection (used as portable drop sheets for sensitive areas)
Vacuum for tracks, hose for rinsing screens
You don't need to provide anything. The job's self-contained.
The Walkthrough (If You're Home)
If you're home when the job starts, there's a quick walkthrough to check for anything unusual — windows that don't open properly, glass that's particularly dirty, or areas needing extra attention.
This takes 2-3 minutes. It's not a formal inspection, just a quick check to flag anything that might affect the job. If you're not home, the job proceeds based on what was discussed at booking.
How the Clean Works — The Zen Order
Most window cleaners work in whatever order suits them. The Zen process follows a specific sequence designed to prevent water drips, protect your floors, and deliver the cleanest result:
Step 1: Tracks
Tracks get brushed and vacuumed first. This clears out dirt, dead insects, and debris before any water goes near them. If water from screen cleaning drips into the tracks later, it runs into clean channels — not mud.
Step 2: Screens
Screens come off (if removable), get scrubbed with soft brushes and soapy water, then rinsed with a hose. This flushes out all the hidden grime. Security screens get cleaned in place — they're never removed.
Step 3: Inside Glass
Interior glass gets cleaned while screens are drying outside. This prevents drips on freshly cleaned exteriors. Windows are designed to drain water from inside to outside, so any drips from interior cleaning run the right direction.
Step 4: Outside Glass
Exterior glass is done last. Screens are dry and back in place, interiors are clean, and there's nothing left to drip or interfere. The outside is where most dirt accumulates, so it's the final step for the best finish.
This order isn't random. It's deliberate — tracks clean before water touches them, screens dry while you work, interior drips don't land on clean exteriors, and the final result is glass that actually stays clean.
Floor Protection
A towel gets carried through the job and used as a portable drop sheet for the immediate work area. If there are particularly sensitive floors or areas that need extra protection, additional towels come out of the car.
Most jobs don't need full drop sheets because the process is designed not to make mess in the first place. But protection is there when it's needed.
How Long It Takes
Job length depends on home size, window quantity, and condition:
3-bedroom single-storey: 1-2 hours
4-bedroom two-storey: 2-3 hours
Large homes with extensive glass: 3-4+ hours
First cleans take longer than maintenance cleans. Homes with glass balustrades, colonial windows, or difficult access add time.
After the Job
Once finished, there's a quick walkthrough to check for anything obviously missed. You're welcome to double-check yourself — if something's not right, it gets fixed before leaving.
Your property gets left cleaner than it was found. No water damage, no mess, no gear left behind.
Payment
Payment happens on the day — cash or card on the spot, or an invoice gets sent for bank transfer or card payment later.
If you're happy with the work, that's when you book the next clean or set up regular maintenance.
KEY TAKEAWAY
A Zen window clean follows a specific process: tracks first, then screens, then inside glass, then outside glass. This order prevents drips, protects floors, and delivers the cleanest result. You'll get booking confirmation, a reminder the day before, and an on-the-way text with ETA. You don't need to be home as long as access is sorted. Jobs take 1-3 hours depending on size. Clear windowsills and secure pets — everything else is handled. Get your online estimate to see what a Zen clean costs for your home.
Ready to Book Your Window Clean?
Get an online estimate or call to schedule your service.
