You probably know the feeling: your car is getting dirtier, but you put off cleaning it as long as you can. Then when you finally do, it’s almost like a magnet for wet weather, and a shower of rain later and your windows look just as dirty all over again, and you find yourself back at square one.
Same goes for the windows in your house, and deciding on the right time to clean them. In reality you can clean the windows of your home whenever you happen to have the time or the energy, but given the large surface area and hard to reach places, it’s a really big job, so you want to make sure you maximise the longevity of their cleanliness.
The most effective way to know when to clean your windows is to factor in the seasons. Often, people assume that the sunny seasons are the best time of year to clean the glass, but the reality is there are benefits to cleaning during all four seasons.
The only time that truly isn’t a great option for cleaning your windows? In the middle of a storm. Any type of harsh weather conditions that involve rain and uncontrollable winds could present a problem. Not to mention, it’ll mean the windows probably need a good clean afterwards, just like the case of the car.
So when should you clean those windows? In terms of choosing the right time, each season has its pros and cons:
Window cleaning in spring
Often argued to be the best time of year for window cleaning, spring is a popular time of year to get the job done. And it’s a great time to tackle it, due to the accumulation of pollen on your windows and the harsh winter weather leftovers. After all, they certainly don’t call it ‘spring cleaning’ for no reason!
If you’re thinking of cleaning your windows this time of year, be sure to pick a day with plenty of cloud cover to avoid leaving any streak marks on your windows. During breezy weather, be sure to clean in the same direction as the breeze to avoid any spray marks landing on already cleaned panes.
Window cleaning in summer
Let’s face it, cleaning the windows isn’t the most entertaining job, so anything that can cut down your cleaning time is worth investigating.
If you want to get the job done quickly, summer proves to be the best time of year as your windows will dry faster thanks to the warmer weather. Depending on where you live, summer can also mean the chance of rain is significantly reduced (this obviously does not apply if you live in the north of the country). Spring also usually leaves behind a decent build up of pollen, so summer is a good time to tackle the cleaning to remove it.
The only downside to cleaning your windows during summer is that the hotter weather means that any cleaning solution applied on your windows will evaporate faster. This means you will have to do the job quickly to prevent any streaks being left on your windows. If you are cleaning your windows yourself, aim to start your clean early in the morning while the temperature is a bit cooler.
Window cleaning in Autumn
For some states, autumn means a much higher chance of rain, so it might seem like a strange time of year to clean your windows. But remember, rain is pure, so it will not leave any residues on your windows due to the absence of minerals, salts, or chemicals.
While it may be wetter than usual, there are benefits to cleaning your windows in autumn, The main one? At this time of year, the temperature isn’t as high, which means your cleaning products won’t dry out as quickly on the windows, reducing the possibility of streaky window panes. And nobody has time for that.
Window cleaning in Winter
It might seem like one of the more unexpected seasons for a good window clean, but getting the cleaning done during winter means you’ll have squeaky clean windows that will let in as much light as possible. This will help you maximise your time basking in the light that does shine through, potentially making those shorter, darker days of winter not so bad.
The best way to get the window cleaning done
Chances are, your home has many windows that cover a large surface area, and plenty of them are in hard-to-reach places. This could mean that getting your windows squeaky clean will involve many back-breaking or even dangerous manoeuvres. To save yourself the trouble, danger, and exhaustive effort, the best way to ensure that your windows stay clean for as long as possible is to hire a professional window cleaning service. They not only have the safest equipment and best cleaning tools to get the job done, but they’re experts in getting you that streak-free glean.
And as a general rule of thumb, you should clean your windows once every three months to keep a constant clear view, so that will mean making the most of every single season.
Speaking of seasons, want to know when the best time of year is to sell your home? Read our article with tips for selling your home throughout the different seasons.
