Window cleaning vs pressure washing - what's the difference?
These two services often get bundled together, but they use completely different equipment, water pressure, and technique. Using the wrong one on the wrong surface can crack seals, etch glass, or strip paint - so it's worth knowing the difference before you book.
What window cleaning actually is
Window cleaning is a precision job. It uses purified water (either bottled or filtered through a resin tank), low pressure, and either a hand squeegee or a water-fed pole with a soft brush. The goal is to lift dust, pollen and mineral spotting off glass without leaving any residue - which is why purified water matters: tap water dries to a streak, purified water dries clear.
What pressure washing actually is
Pressure washing uses high-pressure tap water, often heated, to blast grime off hard exterior surfaces - concrete driveways, brick paths, render, roof tiles, fences. It's a tool built for surfaces that can take force. On glass, that same pressure can chip edges, blow out failed seals on double-glazing, and force water through window frames into wall cavities.
Where the confusion comes from
Both services involve water and exterior cleaning, so they sound interchangeable. They aren't. A pressure washer pointed at a window can cause hundreds of dollars of damage in seconds. A window cleaning setup pointed at a driveway just dribbles. Reputable operators know which tool fits which job and won't cross them over.
Which one do you actually need?
If the goal is clearer glass - windows, skylights, glass balustrades, shopfront windows - that's window cleaning. If the goal is reviving a tired driveway, render, brick or roof - that's pressure washing (and ideally soft-washing for delicate surfaces). Many homes need both, but as separate scheduled jobs, not the same visit with the same gear.
Window cleaning is precision and purified water. Pressure washing is force and tap water. Different tools, different surfaces - and using the wrong one on glass is one of the costliest DIY mistakes we get called to fix.