Inside, Outside, or Both?
When you book window cleaning, the first choice is simple but important: do you want the glass cleaned inside and outside, or outside only? The right answer depends on where the dirt actually is — and on your budget.
Outside-only tackles the grime you see from the street: rain spotting, pollen, dust, and Chicago's hard-water and salt residue. Inside-and-out adds the interior pass — fingerprints, pet nose prints, kitchen film, and the dusty sills and tracks that build up indoors. Most homes look dramatically brighter with both, but a lot of clients book outside-only between deeper cleanings to save.
This page breaks down exactly what each option includes, why interior cleaning costs a bit more, and our real per-pane pricing. For the full service overview, see our main window washing page.
Outside-Only vs. Inside & Outside
Both leave your exterior glass streak-free — the difference is whether we also clean the inside.
Outside-Only
Best value- Removes rain spotting, pollen, and street dust
- Clears hard-water and salt residue on the glass
- No need to be home or move anything indoors
- Faster visit and the lower price point
- Great for between deeper inside-and-out cleanings
Skipping the inside: fingerprints, pet prints, kitchen film, and dusty tracks stay behind — glass still looks hazy from indoors.
Inside & Outside
Most complete- Everything in outside-only, plus the interior glass
- Removes fingerprints, pet prints, and kitchen film
- Wipes down interior sills and tracks
- Maximum natural light and clarity from both sides
- Ideal for spring cleaning, moves, and listings
Don't put it off too long: waiting years between interior cleanings lets film and grime bake on, making spots far harder to remove later.
What's Included on Each Pass
Here's exactly what our team does on the outside and on the inside of your home.
Exterior Pass
- Wash and squeegee every exterior pane streak-free
- Wipe down exterior frames and sills
- Treat hard-water spots and salt film (scraping or chemical wash where needed)
- Reach upper-story glass safely with extension poles — no ladders on your siding
- Clean screens and storm windows on request
Interior Pass
- Wash and squeegee every interior pane to match the outside
- Remove fingerprints, pet nose prints, and kitchen film
- Wipe interior sills and clear dusty tracks
- Protect floors, sills, and furnishings with drop cloths
- Move and replace small items carefully where access is needed
What We Remove From Your Glass
Different grime lands on each side of the window. Here's the build-up we tackle, inside and out.
- Hard-water spots
- Winter salt film
- Pollen & dust
- Fingerprints
- Pet nose prints
- Kitchen grease film
- Bug debris & spiderwebs
- Dusty sills & tracks
Inside & Outside vs. Outside-Only Pricing
| Nr. of Panes | Inside/Outside | Outside Only |
|---|---|---|
| 1-15 | $140 | $100 |
| 16-25 | $170 | $120 |
| 26-35 | $200 | $140 |
| 36-45 | $240 | $160 |
| 46-60 | $290 | $190 |
| 61-80 | $340 | $220 |
| 81-100 | $400 | $260 |
| 101-125 | $460 | $300 |
Pricing is based on the number of panes, not rooms. Outside-only runs roughly 30% less because there's no interior access, furniture protection, or sill detailing involved. See the complete pane count chart on our window washing page.
Example Estimate
- Exterior glass, ~30 panesincluded
- Interior glass + sillsincluded
Inside & out total~$200
Outside-only for the same home is about $140. Final price depends on your exact pane count — call for a free estimate.
Get a free estimateHow an Inside & Outside Visit Works
A tidy, respectful routine that protects your home while we get every pane crystal clear.
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1
Walkthrough & pane count
We confirm the count, note any hard-water or problem glass, and agree on inside-and-out or outside-only before we start.
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2
Protect the interior
For interior work we lay down drop cloths and carefully move small items off sills, keeping your floors and furnishings safe.
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3
Wash & squeegee the glass
We clean each pane with professional squeegee technique and purified water for a streak-free, residue-free finish — using extension poles for upper stories.
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4
Detail frames, sills & tracks
We wipe down frames and sills and clear dusty tracks, plus clean screens or storm windows if you've added them.
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5
Final inspection & guarantee
We check the glass in good light and touch up anything missed. Not happy? We'll re-clean at no charge — our work is fully guaranteed.
Ready for clear, bright windows?
Tell us your approximate pane count and whether you'd like inside-and-out or outside-only, and we'll send a free, no-obligation quote — with our streak-free guarantee on every job.
Get My Free QuoteRefreshing the whole exterior?
Many homeowners pair window washing with power washing and gutter cleaning to save a trip.
See Power WashingFind Us at Our Offices
Five Chicagoland offices serve the metro and suburbs — visit us, call ahead, or book online.
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Inside & Outside Window Cleaning FAQs
What's the difference between inside-and-out and outside-only?
Outside-only cleans just the exterior glass, frames, and sills — the rain spotting, pollen, dust, and hard-water film you see from outside. Inside-and-out does all of that and adds the interior pass: fingerprints, pet prints, kitchen film, and dusty sills and tracks. Inside-and-out gives the brightest, most complete result; outside-only is a budget-friendly refresh between deeper cleanings. See both prices in the table above or on our window washing page.
Why does inside cleaning cost more than outside-only?
Interior work takes more time and care. We protect your floors and furnishings with drop cloths, carefully move small items off sills, clean the inside glass to match the outside, and detail interior sills and tracks. That added labor and protection is why inside-and-out runs roughly 30% more than outside-only — for example, about $200 versus $140 on a typical 30-pane home.
How do you protect my floors and furniture?
For interior cleaning we lay down drop cloths under each window, carefully move small items off the sills, and replace them when we're done. Our technicians work neatly with controlled amounts of solution and squeegees, so there's no drips or mess on your floors, sills, or window treatments. We treat your home like our own.
How often should I clean inside vs. outside?
Most Chicagoland homes do a full inside-and-out cleaning once or twice a year — spring and early fall are ideal, since windows collect winter salt and spring pollen. Exteriors get dirty faster from weather, so some clients add an outside-only visit in between to keep the glass clear without the full interior service. We're happy to recommend a schedule based on your home and surroundings.
How do you get streak-free results?
We use professional squeegee technique and purified water systems that leave zero streaks or residue, inside and out. For stubborn hard-water spots or construction debris we can scrape or apply a chemical wash. For upper-story exterior glass we use extension poles and specialized equipment to reach every pane safely — no ladders leaning on your siding. Every job is backed by our re-clean guarantee.
Can I add screens or storm windows, or bundle services?
Yes. We clean window screens and storm windows on request, and handle skylights and hard-water removal too — see the full add-on list and pricing on our window washing page. Many homeowners also bundle window washing with power washing and gutter cleaning for a complete exterior refresh. Call (224) 386-4836 or contact us to build a package. Schedule Window Cleaning →