How often to clean windows: apartment, house and office

Clean windows let more light into the room and make a home feel cosier straight away. But how often do they really need cleaning? There is no single answer — a lot depends on where you live and what is happening outside the window.

The short answer

For most homes twice a year is enough: in spring after the winter and in autumn before the dark season. In shops and cafés, where the window is part of the first impression, shop windows are often cleaned every week or every two weeks.

Apartment

City apartment windows are usually cleaned in spring and autumn. You may need it more often if:

• the window faces a busy street — dust and exhaust build up quickly;

• there is construction or roadwork near the building;

• you live on a low floor, where street dust and splashes reach the glass;

• someone smokes indoors or the kitchen is near the window — a greasy film forms on the inside of the glass.

Balcony glazing is usually cleaned together with the windows. Dust and pollen collect in the rails of sliding glass, so it is worth cleaning them at the same time.

House and terraced house

Houses often have larger glass surfaces, conservatories and upper-floor windows. Twice a year is a good rhythm, but some situations call for more:

• trees and bushes near the windows — pollen, leaves and birds;

• being near the sea — the wind brings salt to the glass, which leaves a whitish film;

• large south-facing windows — the sun shows every bit of dirt.

High windows are dangerous to clean yourself. Read how we clean upper-floor windows and conservatories from the ground.

Office, shop and café

Office windows are usually cleaned once a month to once a quarter, depending on the location and amount of glass. Shop windows are cleaned more often — weekly, every two weeks or monthly — because customers see them before they walk in. Read more about regular cleaning: commercial window cleaning.

When is the best time

In spring it is worth waiting until the night frosts are over and the main pollen season has passed — otherwise you will have to clean twice. In autumn, September to November is a good time, before the days get short. If you clean yourself, avoid direct sunlight: the glass dries too fast and leaves streaks. Also read our article on spring window cleaning.

Summary

• Home: twice a year, more often if needed.

• House: twice a year, more often near the sea and trees.

• Office: once a month to once a quarter.

• Shop window: weekly to monthly.

If you want the cleaning to happen at the right time every time, agree on regular cleaning with us — regular customers get a discounted price. See our services or write to us.