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How Often Should You Clean Your Windows? 5 Factors

Cleaning a window using a squeegee_XArtProduction_Shutterstock

Windows are critical parts of your home since they facilitate the entry of natural light into your indoor space. They also give you a view of the locality or neighborhood. Besides, they keep your space well ventilated; with ample windows, your house won’t feel stuffy or gloomy.

Generally, windows have a significant influence on the overall look of your home. They enhance the curb appeal of your home and increase its value. Thus, you should ensure they are in perfect condition at all times. One of the ways to maintain the windows is regular cleaning.

Clean windows can transform your home into an attractive place to live. In fact, regular cleaning makes them look great for many years, prevents damage, and improves your home’s energy efficiency. This article looks at the benefits of regular window cleaning, factors affecting window cleaning frequency, how to clean the windows, and mistakes to avoid.

Keep reading for deeper insight.

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Why Is Regular Window Cleaning Essential?

Regular window cleaning offers the following benefits:
  • Prevents glass degradation: Hard water and acid rain can cause buildup on your window frames, sills, and window panes. The dirt particles enter the glass pores and corrode the windows. This creates light cracks and scratches on the window panes. Regular cleaning helps eliminate all the buildups and ensures your windows don’t degrade.
  • Enhances your curb appeal: Clean windows improve your home’s curb appeal. They not only make your home look great but also add its overall value.
  • Improves air quality: Dirt particle buildup in your sills and windows affects your indoor air quality. Some of these particles include mold or other allergens that can cause adverse health issues. Regular window cleaning helps eliminate these particles and improves the air quality in your house.
  • Gives a better view: Dirty windows don’t allow natural light into your house. Besides, they don’t allow you to have a better view of your neighborhood. With clean glasses, you can enjoy a clear view of the outside while resting in your house.
cleaning car window glass
Photo Credit By: Atstock Productions, shutterstock

What Is the Ideal Window Cleaning Frequency?

There is no general rule on how often you should clean the windows. But we can look at several factors that determine how often you should have your windows cleaned. Here are some of them:

The 5 Things to Consider When Cleaning Your Windows

1. Location

The frequency of your window cleaning depends on your location:
  • If your property is in a rural area with farm fields, you need to clean the windows more often. The farm fields usually produce dirt and dust that stick to the windows, especially during the pollen season. The windows will need cleaning at least once a month or whenever you find stains, pollen, or any form of dirt on them.
  • If you live near an ocean or sea where salt deposits reach your panes and windows, you need to clean the windows more often, preferably once a month as well. The deposits cause corrosion if left uncleaned for a long time.
  • For commercial properties located on a busy street, your windows are likely to get dirty quickly. Highway pollution is a cause for buildup on windows since soot from cars is airborne and can stick to your windows. Clean the windows anytime you see any sign of buildup on your windows.

2. Weather Conditions

Woman cleaning a window_CDC_Unsplash
Photo Credit By: CDC, Unsplash
The existing weather conditions also determine the frequency at which you should clean your windows:
  • During the rainfall season, you should clean the windows more often because rainfall carries debris, dirt, and dust that stick to the windows. Cleaning the windows once every month during the rainy season.
  • You should also clean the windows more frequently during winter. The snow and precipitation cause streaks and stains on your windows within a short time. This calls for a greater need to clean the windows.
  • When it’s dry and windy, dust and other debris from twigs, leaves, and other buildups also affect your windows. Therefore, you should clean the windows often to remove the dust.

3. Presence of Allergens

If you are affected by allergens in the air, your windows require frequent cleaning. You should clean them to remove the allergens once a month.


4. Window Type

woman cleaning glass window
Photo Credit By: Khaligo, Pixabay

The make of your glass window also determines how frequently to clean them. If you have more transparent windows, you should clean them more often since they become dirty quickly. Minor stains or dirt will be more visible than with more translucent glass windows.


5. Windows in Commercial Building

The above factors affect both homes and business premises. However, we need to look at commercial buildings specifically. The business being done determines how often to clean the windows. If you have an office or restaurant that gets regular clients and customers, you should clean the windows often to keep the property looking its best. If you operate a warehouse, you don’t need to clean the windows often. You can clean them twice a year.

Activities in the buildings also determine the frequency of window cleaning. Let's look at each of them:
  • Restaurants: Restaurants are busy places that receive many visitors daily. The high moist content from cooking causes stains on your windows. People may also soil the windows with dirty fingers. To keep your restaurant more appealing, you should clean the windows at least two times a week.
  • Health facilities: If you own a health facility, the windows should be spotless at all times to make the facility more appealing and hygienic. Ideally, you should clean the windows once or twice a week.
  • Retail store: Your retail store receives many customers daily who may have dust in their footwear. Besides, the opening allows dust in, and all the accumulation lands on the windows. To ensure your store is appealing to customers, you should clean the windows twice a week.
  • Offices: Your office should be neat to portray a good business image and hygiene. You can clean the windows twice a month or any time you spot some dirt. You don’t have to clean high-rise office windows often since they don’t get much dirt like the ones on the ground floor.

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How to Clean the Windows

Here are steps to follow when cleaning the windows:
  • Remove the coverings: Start by removing your window coverings. Wash or wipe them to remove any dust that may have accumulated on them.
  • Sweep the debris, dust, and cobwebs: Before you wet the windows, use a microfiber towel or dust cloth to clean the window surface. You can also use a vacuum or brush to remove cobwebs, dirt, or dust lingering in higher areas and corners. Make sure you also clean the window frame and sills.
  • Wipe the frames: Wipe the remaining dust and dirt from the frame and the sill. You can use a damp washcloth and start with the frames. Starting with the frames prevents dirty water from dripping over the clean panes.
  • Create your window cleaning solution: Prepare your window cleaning solution according to the instructions provided. You can also use a ready-made window cleaner bought from your local store.
  • Clean the windows by applying an S-shaped motion: Spray the cleaning solution on the window. Then, wipe down the surface using a newspaper or microfiber cloth. To get the desired results, begin in the top corner, and wipe across and down the window in an S-shaped motion. Ensure you clean every part of the surface. You can also apply small, circular motions from the top corner downwards. Use newspaper as a drying cloth to give your windows a sparkling shine.
  • Squeegee excess water: Use a squeegee to get rid of the cleaning solution and excess water to reduce streaking. Let the windowpane stay moist as it dries naturally.
cleaning car window with paper towel
Image Credit: Fineart1, Shutterstock

Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Windows

As you clean the windows, there are certain mistakes you need to avoid as seen below:
  • Using chemical cleaners: Avoid using any chemical cleaners that can damage glass. It’s advisable to use low water-based content that doesn’t leave behind residue that causes streaking.
  • Skipping the squeegee: For streak-free and sparkling windows, you should use a squeegee that helps remove all moisture after cleaning. It also makes your windows dry faster.
  • Cleaning your windows on a sunny day: You shouldn’t clean the windows on a Sunny day since the windows turn cloudy and hard to see through. This is caused by chemicals on your glass surface that dry fast in direct sunlight, leading to hazy buildup and streaking.
  • Cleaning with hard water: Cleaning windows with hard water leads to mineral buildup and leaves spots on your windows. You should use distilled or soft water that leaves your windows spotlessly clean.

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Conclusion

Cleaning your windows is part of their maintenance routine. The process ensures that the windows and frames are free of dirt, mildew, and other debris. It also helps prevent window deterioration and damage. Therefore, you should ensure that your windows are clean at all times.

There is no specific rule on how often you should clean your windows- the cleaning frequency depends on factors such as weather conditions, location, nature of business, window type, specific rooms, etc. You can also create your window cleaning schedule like in other house parts, but it is always advisable to clean them whenever you notice minor signs of stains or dirt.


Featured Image Credit: XArtProduction, Shutterstock

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