How Often Should I Clean My Windows?

How frequently do you engage in the maintenance of your exterior windows? It’s possible that you’ve been postponing this task for quite some time. Clean and radiant windows significantly contribute to enhancing the overall appearance of your building, whether it’s for commercial or residential purposes. When your commercial property boasts pristine windows, it becomes more appealing and inviting to customers both from the inside and outside.

Whether your goal is to revitalize your property, giving it a fresh and brighter feel, or preparing it for sale, here are some essential guidelines on cleaning your windows.

Residential Window Cleaning:
For most homeowners and tenants, exterior window cleaning is typically conducted on an annual basis. However, if you’re a homeowner and wondering about the ideal frequency for exterior window cleaning, it’s advisable to consider doing it at least two to three times a year. The specific frequency may vary depending on factors such as your geographical location, climate, and the surrounding environment.

Commercial Window Cleaning:

This category encompasses retail spaces, restaurants, and any area used for commercial purposes. For commercial properties, it’s highly recommended to schedule monthly window cleaning services. This is crucial because customers tend to notice handprints and dirty windows easily, so ensuring more frequent cleaning of exterior windows is essential.

For larger commercial buildings and office spaces, a schedule of full or exterior window cleaning twice a year is advisable.

Factors to Consider When Determining the Frequency of Exterior Window Cleaning:

1. Climate and Environment:
If you reside in a region with frequent rainfall, it’s best to clean your windows before the rainy season begins and afterward. Cleaning your exterior windows before the rainy season helps remove dust and dirt debris that can contribute to glass damage. At the end of the season, a thorough window cleaning eliminates residue from acidic rain and other pollutants.

The surrounding environment of your property also plays a significant role in determining how often you should clean your exterior windows.

Consider more frequent cleaning if:

You’re located near factories, especially during their peak production periods, to remove residue and dust.
Your property is situated near a busy street, leading to increased dust from vehicles and smudges from pedestrians.
Certain types of trees in the vicinity produce substantial pollen, leaves, and contribute to dust accumulation on your windows.

There’s nearby construction activity, which can result in additional dust residue due to heavy machinery and drilling.

2. Property Sale:
If you’re planning to sell your property, one effective way to impress potential buyers is by ensuring your windows are clean. Buyers are more likely to be attracted to well-maintained properties, and dirty windows can significantly reduce curb appeal, making it harder for them to envision themselves starting a new life in that property. If you’re undertaking home remodeling before putting it on the market, remember to include window cleaning in your checklist, along with cleaning the screens.

3. Property Evaluation:
When preparing for a property evaluation, sparkling windows can contribute to increasing its value. Scheduling professional exterior window cleaning enhances curb appeal and positively impacts the assessment of your property.

Benefits of Regular Exterior Window Cleaning:

• Regular window cleaning offers numerous advantages, some more evident than others, including:
• Enhancing curb appeal for attracting customers and increasing property value.
• Preventing damage to the glass by removing debris and dust that can lead to scratches over time.
• Maintaining insulation properties, which helps lower utility bills by preserving the efficiency of windows.
• Increasing natural lighting by removing dirt that can filter sunlight and hinder brightness, especially during the winter months.
• Protecting exterior accessories like flower boxes, window frames, and shutters from dirt buildup, debris, grime, and cobwebs.

How to Clean Your Exterior Windows Personally:
To keep your exterior windows clean, you can choose to either hire a professional service or do it yourself. If you opt for the latter, safety should be your top priority, especially when dealing with higher windows. Ensure you have a partner to assist if you need to use a ladder, and avoid leaning out of the window when cleaning exterior windows from inside your home.

Here’s a brief overview of the steps and supplies needed for DIY window cleaning:

Supplies: Sponge, Squeegee, Bucket, Liquid detergent, Two lint-free cloths.
Fill the bucket with approximately two gallons of water and add the detergent in the correct proportion. Use the sponge to wash the window and then use the squeegee to wipe in a smooth, top-to-bottom motion. Finally, use the lint-free cloth to clean the window frame and track, removing grime, dust, and bugs.

In Conclusion:

If you’re a homeowner, it’s advisable to clean your windows regularly, with a frequency of two to three times a year, while for commercial properties like restaurants, a monthly cleaning schedule is recommended. However, be sure to take into account specific factors that may necessitate more frequent exterior window cleaning. Whether you choose to tackle this task personally or hire a professional service, the rewards of regular window cleaning are numerous and well worth the effort. If you’re interested in our window cleaning service, please don’t hesitate to learn more.