Window cleaning: expenses you can claim

What a window cleaner's costs look like

The general rules are in expenses you can claim: you can deduct costs that are wholly and exclusively for the business. This page covers what that means in window cleaning.

The kit you'll claim for

Most small traders on the cash basis can deduct the cost of equipment in the year they pay for it. Cars are treated differently. Typical items:

• Water-fed pole and pure-water system: Lets you clean to the first floor from the ground, but it's the biggest outlay
• Ladders and a ladder stabiliser: Many rounds still need a ladder for some houses
• Squeegees, buckets, scrim and a scraper: The traditional kit; cheap and always useful as a back-up
• A van, or a car with a roof rack to start: Vans keep wet kit away from the inside of your car
• Workwear and a hi-vis if you do commercial: Some commercial customers expect it

Running costs to keep receipts for

• Resin for the pure-water system
• Filters and hoses
• Squeegee rubbers
• A little cleaning solution
• Fuel

Easy to forget in window cleaning

• Resin and filters for the pure-water system
• Replacement poles, brushes and squeegee rubbers
• Ladder inspections and replacements
• Leaflets and a sign on the van

Vehicle costs

Most window cleaners claim either a flat rate per mile (55p for the first 10,000 business miles in 2026-27, then 25p) or the actual running costs of the vehicle, but not both on the same vehicle. Compare them over a year before you choose, because once you use the flat rate for a vehicle you must stick to it. The details are in expenses you can claim.

Keep records as you go

Photograph each receipt on the day and file it under the right heading. Your accountant, or HMRC if they ask, will want to see the receipt behind every figure.