About ClearTide Window Cleaning
We’re ClearTide Window Cleaning, a local crew working only in Santa Cruz County. We clean homes, storefronts, solar panels, gutters and skylights, and we run the business around the things homeowners complain about most in local reviews: prices that change, vague arrival windows and messes left behind.
Call or text a few photos. Flat quote, usually the same day.
- Local to Santa Cruz County
- Flat quotes
- Photos on every job
A Local Crew That Knows Coastal Glass
Cleaning glass in Santa Cruz is different from cleaning it inland. The marine layer leaves a mineral film, salt spray reaches farther than people expect, sprinklers and well water leave hard water spots, and redwoods and eucalyptus drop sap, pollen and needles on everything. Our methods, schedules and quotes are built around those conditions.
Natural Bridges, Westside Santa CruzSanta Cruz County only
From Davenport and Bonny Doon to Watsonville, and up the San Lorenzo Valley. We don’t spread ourselves across the Bay Area.
Careful with your home
Shoe covers inside, and debris hauled off your property when we finish.
One crew, everything up high
Windows, solar panels, gutters, skylights, hard water stains, pressure washing and screen repair, in one visit if you want.
What You Can Expect on Every Job
These aren’t slogans. They’re the rules every visit runs on.
Detailing bottom of glass panel“A flat quote before we start.”
One number, good for 30 days. It only changes if you ask us to add something.
“A real arrival time.”
You get a text when the crew is on the way, not a four-hour window.
“The whole window, not just the glass.”
Tracks, sills, frames and screens are part of every window job.
“Your home treated with care.”
Shoe covers and drop cloths inside, debris bagged and hauled away outside.
“Photos and straight talk.”
Before and after photos, plus photos of any damage we notice, like failed seals, loose gutters or roof problems.
“Honest referrals.”
If something needs a glazier, roofer or gutter installer instead of a cleaner, we tell you who to call.
The Tools and Methods We Use
The right method depends on the glass, the height and the dirt. Here’s what we bring.
Pure water pole, three stories from the ground| Tool or method | What it’s for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Deionized water and water-fed poles | Exterior glass up to three stories, solar panels, skylights | Dries without spots, fewer ladders on your landscaping |
| Soap, mop and squeegee | Interior glass, storefronts, greasy film | Cuts grease that pure water alone won’t |
| Mineral removers and non-scratch pads | Hard water stains | Lifts deposits without scratching; tested on a corner first |
| Ladders with stabilizers | Gutters, skylights, recessed glass | Weight off the gutter, safer setup |
| Soft brushes, no pressure | Solar panels and acrylic skylight domes | Follows manufacturer cleaning guidance |
| Drop cloths and shoe covers | All interior work | Floors and furniture stay clean and dry |
Areas We Serve in Santa Cruz County
City of Santa Cruz
Westside, West Cliff Drive, Downtown and Pacific Avenue, Beach Flats, Seabright, the Eastside, the Harbor and the UC Santa Cruz area.
Mid-County
Live Oak, Pleasure Point, Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Rio Del Mar, Seacliff, La Selva Beach and Corralitos.
Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley
Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon and Davenport.
South County
Watsonville and Freedom, including commercial and industrial properties.
What We Do
Every service page explains exactly what’s included and what moves the price.
Residential window cleaning
Inside and out for one to three-story homes, tracks, sills and screens included.
Residential window cleaningCommercial window cleaning
Storefronts, offices, restaurants, HOAs and rentals on a recurring schedule.
Commercial window cleaningSolar panel cleaning
Deionized water and soft brushes, no pressure, no detergents.
Solar panel cleaningThe Service Standards Every Visit Runs On
The specific things you can hold us to.
| Standard | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Flat quote first | You get one price before any work starts, and it doesn’t change on the day |
| Quotes good for 30 days | Book any time within a month at the quoted price |
| A real arrival time | A text when we’re on the way, not an all-day window |
| The whole window | Frames, sills, tracks and screens are included in every residential window cleaning |
| Check before cleaning | Scratches, failed seals and etched stains are pointed out before we start |
| Photos of hidden work | Before and after photos of gutters, roofs and panels you can’t see from the ground |
| No mess left behind | Debris bagged and taken away; floors protected inside |
| Redo if needed | If a pane isn’t right, we come back and redo it |
Who We Clean For
Different customers need different things from a window cleaner.
| Customer | What we focus on |
|---|---|
| Homeowners | Inside and out, tracks and screens, a schedule that fits how close you are to the ocean |
| Renters and landlords | Move-out and between-tenant cleans timed to walkthroughs |
| Home sellers and agents | Glass, gutters and driveways clean before listing photos |
| Vacation rental hosts | Turnover-day scheduling, lockbox access and photos |
| Businesses | Storefront and office routes timed around opening hours |
| Contractors and builders | Post-construction cleans before handover |
How We Work Safely
Window, gutter and roof work happens at height. These rules don’t bend.
Pole scrubbing tall foyer window- Ladders on stable, level footing, set with standoffs so they never rest on glass.
- Water-fed poles from the ground for upper glass wherever they suit the window.
- Never stepping on or leaning on skylights, which aren’t built to hold a person’s weight.
- No pressure washing on asphalt shingles, following the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association’s advice.
- Wet roofs wait. We schedule roof work for dry conditions.
- We tell you if something can’t be reached safely, rather than taking the risk.
Sources: Beacon, Is Roof Cleaning Necessary?.
Every Area We Serve, With Local Guides
Each guide covers the conditions, schedules and water in that part of the county.
| Area guide | Includes |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz (city) | Westside, Downtown, Seabright, Eastside, Harbor, UC Santa Cruz area |
| Westside Santa Cruz | West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges, Mission Street |
| Seabright and the Eastside | Seabright Beach, the Harbor, Soquel Avenue, DeLaveaga |
| Live Oak and Pleasure Point | East Cliff Drive, Twin Lakes, Portola Drive |
| Capitola | Capitola Village, Depot Hill, 41st Avenue |
| Soquel | Soquel Village, Soquel Drive, the hills above Soquel Creek |
| Aptos | Rio Del Mar, Seacliff, Seascape, Aptos Village, La Selva Beach |
| Scotts Valley | Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley Drive, Highway 17 |
| Felton, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek | Highway 9 and the San Lorenzo Valley |
| Watsonville | Watsonville, Freedom, Corralitos |
What Happens After You Call or Text
From first message to finished job.
You call, text or fill in the form
Tell us the address and what you’d like cleaned. Photos help.
You get a flat quote
Usually the same business day, good for 30 days.
We agree a date and time
Around your schedule, walkthrough date or business hours.
A text on the way
So you know when we’re arriving.
The work, then a walkthrough
We check the work with you or send photos, and redo anything that isn’t right.
What Santa Cruz County Does to Glass
The facts that shape how we clean here.
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fog | Common at night and in the morning, especially in summer, leaving salt and mineral film on glass |
| Rain | About 30.8 inches a year in Santa Cruz, mostly November through March; about 52 inches in Boulder Creek |
| Water | Moderately hard in the City of Santa Cruz; 100 to 370 ppm in Soquel Creek Water District areas |
| Trees | Redwoods, oaks, pines and eucalyptus shed into gutters and onto skylights |
Sources: Santa Cruz average rainfall by month; Wikipedia, Boulder Creek, California; City of Santa Cruz Water Department, Water Quality FAQs; Soquel Creek Water District, Water Hardness.
How We Price Our Work
No hourly surprises.
| What sets the price | What doesn’t |
|---|---|
| Number and size of panes | Distance within Santa Cruz County |
| Height and access | The day of the week |
| Condition, like heavy salt film or construction residue | Anything we find after the quote is agreed |
| Add-ons like gutters, solar or skylights | Tracks, sills and screens, which are included |
See the cost guide for a full explanation.
A Year of Window Care in Santa Cruz County
What each season usually calls for.
Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz Harbor| Season | Main work |
|---|---|
| Early fall | Gutters, skylights and windows before the storms |
| Winter | Gutter checks between storms, interior glass, storefront routes |
| Spring | Full window cleans, solar panels after pollen, moss removal |
| Summer | Quarterly cleans for oceanfront homes during fog season, decks and pressure washing |
What We Don’t Do
Being clear about this saves everyone time.
- Roof or gutter repairs. We photograph problems so you can get them fixed.
- Roof inspections or insurance certificates. We provide dated photos of our work only.
- Pressure washing shingles, stucco or painted siding. Those get a low-pressure soft wash.
- Scraping glass the maker says not to scrape. We follow the glass maker’s instructions.
- Changing the price on the day. The quote is the price.
About Us: Common Questions
Are you a local company?
Yes. We work only in Santa Cruz County, from Davenport to Watsonville and up the San Lorenzo Valley.
What services do you offer?
Residential and commercial window cleaning, solar panel cleaning, gutter cleaning, skylight cleaning, hard water stain removal, pressure and soft washing, moss removal with photos, and screen repair.
How do you price your work?
One flat quote for the whole job, set before we start and good for 30 days. It only changes if you add work.
What don’t you do?
Glass repair or replacement, fogged double-pane replacement, gutter installation, roof repair and leak repair. If we see a problem like that, we photograph it and tell you who to call.
Where does ClearTide work?
All of Santa Cruz County, including Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Scotts Valley, the San Lorenzo Valley and Watsonville.
What happens if I’m not happy with a pane?
Tell us, and we’ll come back and redo it.
How do I reach ClearTide for a quote?
Call, text a few photos or fill in the form. You’ll usually get a flat quote the same business day.
Do you work with landlords and property managers?
Yes, including move-out and between-tenant cleans and multiple units on one schedule.
Do you clean commercial buildings?
Yes, storefronts, offices and other commercial glass on weekly to quarterly schedules.
Do you work in the rain?
Gutter work can continue in light rain. Window and panel cleaning wait for drier weather, and we’ll reschedule if needed.
Do you offer recurring service?
Yes. Homes can be on a quarterly or twice-yearly schedule, and businesses on weekly to quarterly routes.
Do you clean skylights and solar panels?
Yes. Both are cleaned from the roof with deionized water and soft tools, often on the same visit as gutters and windows.
Can I book just one service?
Yes. Every service can be booked on its own, or combined into one visit.
Do you repair gutters or roofs?
No. We clean gutters and roofs and photograph any problems we see, so you can have a repair quoted by the right trade.
Do I need to be home during the visit?
Not for exterior-only work. For interior glass, someone needs to let us in.
What should I do before you arrive?
Clear the sills and move fragile items away from any windows we’re cleaning inside, and unlock gates so we can reach the outside glass. If you have pets, keep them inside or away from the work area.
Do you clean windows after construction or remodeling?
Yes. Post-construction cleaning removes paint, silicone, stickers and concrete dust from new glass, using methods that won’t scratch it.
Get a Free Quote
Tell us about the house or property and what you want done. You’ll hear back the same business day with a flat number.
(831) 203-3111- Same-day response, Monday through Saturday
- Flat quote, good for 30 days
- Text a few photos and skip the form
Serving Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond, Bonny Doon, Watsonville and everywhere in between.