Don't be a fall guy. Hire a window washer

Washing your home's windows can seem like a simple enough task - until you precariously perch yourself on a ladder, stretch to reach high areas, and fight through the bugs, bees and trees.

Clean windows can enhance your home's appearance, but actually getting them streak-free can be challenging, and for homeowners with hard-to-reach windows, it can be downright dangerous.

"I always ask, 'How long would it take you and how much is your safety worth?' " said Tiffany Maron, owner of Squeegee Squad in Riverview. "It's a hard job. It's time consuming. It's dirty, and even when they're done, it still may not look as good, even if they spent twice the amount of time as we would have."

Maron and Tom Cruickshank of The Window Cleaning Experts Inc. in Tarpon Springs recommend a home's windows be cleaned by a professional at least once a year.

"Once a year, you've got to get the pollen off," Maron said. "We've got saltwater, especially waterfront homes, and the debris on the glass can etch into it. It takes the top layer off it and makes it look foggy after a while. If you don't get it off consistently, it'll wreck the glass."

Professionals should do more than just clean the glass. The frame, seals and tracks should be cleaned as well.

"We do a thorough cleaning of the glass and frames around the glass, which involves opening windows, cleaning out the track area as well as the seals," Cruikshank said. "We go up on ladders to get hard-to-reach windows. Most people that aren't used to that wouldn't be able to do it. Once we do it, it's done right and you don't have to worry about it."

Cruikshank and Maron both prefer a squeegee and dish soap and water to paper towels and window cleaner.

"We don't use any harsh chemicals," Cruikshank said. "We use squeegees to (clean) the glass and a dry cloth to buff out the glass so it shines."

Window cleaners typically charge by the number of windows, the time estimated to do the job and the complexity of the job. You can save money by cleaning the lower-level windows yourself and leaving the hard-to-reach windows to a professional. If you clean your windows yourself, do it during a cool, cloudier time of day. The hot sun dries windows faster, which can lead to streaking.

"We're pretty creative with getting up to those hard-to-reach places," Maron said. "We can get to a place that in certain homes you could never get to. Florida has a lot of tricky windows between pool cages, tall houses, and waterfronts."

If you hire a professional, first research the company's history. Ask for references, proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation.

"There are a lot of uninsured people doing work out there that maybe can do it for less money, but if they get hurt or break something, the homeowner is ultimately responsible for it," Maron said.