Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Working Life

Window cleaners wash and polish the windows of houses, shops and large buildings, such as offices and factories. The work involves washing and polishing windows using wash leathers, sponges, squeegees and brushes. Hot soapy water may be obtained from the customer if someone is there or the window cleaner may have to carry his or her own supply. Window cleaners usually need to work on a ladder, or from a cradle or platform when washing the windows of a high-rise building.  
 
Occasionally, window cleaners carry out additional tasks, such as cleaning out guttering on houses or cleaning window frames. They also collect money from customers, and ensure that worksheets are signed to say that work has been completed to a satisfactory standard. Window cleaners have to carry their equipment with them using a car, van, bike or barrow.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Clean and polish vehicle windows.
• Scrub, scrape, or spray machine parts, equipment, or vehicles, using scrapers, brushes, clothes, cleaners, disinfectants, insecticides, acid, abrasives, vacuums, or hoses.
• Apply paints, dyes, polishes, reconditioners, waxes, or masking materials to vehicles to preserve, protect, or restore color or condition.
• Inspect parts, equipment, or vehicles for cleanliness, damage, and compliance with standards or regulations.
• Maintain inventories of supplies.
• Press buttons to activate cleaning equipment or machines.
• Monitor operation of cleaning machines and stop machines or notify supervisors when malfunctions occur.
• Mix cleaning solutions, abrasive compositions, or other compounds, according to formulas.
• Turn valves or handles on equipment to regulate pressure or flow of water, air, steam, or abrasives from sprayer nossles.
• Rinse objects and place them on drying racks or use cloth, squeegees, or air compressors to dry surfaces.

Further Information

• Window Cleaner- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Formal training may be required before safely working as a window cleaner. As a new window cleaner you may spend some time with a more experienced co-worker.

Larger companies usually have an induction programme lasting for a few days. 

Key Skill Certs: 

Manual Handling.

Working at Height: how to use different ladders and cradles properly. Customer care, and how to wash and polish windows/ chemicals for cleaning.

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: start your own business.

Search for FET Courses

People considering self-employment in window cleaning can explore supports via: 

Local Area Partnerships.

Local Enterprise Offices.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €32k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, shift pattern, location, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Window cleaners, Street cleaners, Cleaners and domestics, Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers, Refuse and salvage occupations, Vehicle valeters and cleaners, Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment levels for cleaners fell in 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions; employment has grown strongly since 2022 although the employment growth rate was below average. Over two-thirds of those employed were female, over half worked part-time, almost a quarter were aged 55 years or over and 42% were non-Irish citizens, with the shares for each of these categories being above the national average.

The level of educational attainment for those employed as cleaners was below average; 30% had attained at most a lower secondary education and a further 54% had attained a higher secondary/FET level of education.

Recent job hires in 2023 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is occurring in this role.

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA)

  • ICCA PO Box 12867 | Blackrock | Co Dublin
  • 01 400 4318
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here