Professional window cleaners try to clean when temperatures are between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (10-23 C). These temperatures are most common during spring and autumn seasons, making those the best times for outdoor window cleaning.
If the weather dips below freezing, consider rescheduling your window cleaning to avoid the hassle of frozen cleaning chemicals. Otherwise, cooler temps have little impact on cleaning windows. The main thing to remember is to use cold water in cold weather and avoid washing in freezing temperatures.
The best temperature to wash outside windows is somewhere between roughly 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You won't have to deal with frost or your cleaning product evaporating too quickly in heat.
You may also need to wear warmer clothing, use more insulation on your ladders, and take breaks more often to stay warm. When the temperature falls below 30 degrees, it may be too cold to wash windows safely. Washing windows in temperatures below 20 degrees can cause windows to freeze and crack.
Hot water cleans windows faster
Removes dirt more easily – hot water is more successful in removing dirt. This is because hot temperatures make dirt particles vibrate faster, which makes it a lot easier to wipe them away.
Seasons with mild weather, such as spring or autumn, are better than window cleaning in the heat and direct sunlight of summer or the cold in winter, which could be hard on hands and icy windows.
If it's a sunny day then start early before the sun gets high in the sky. Summer time cleaning is ideal to remove all the pollen that's been distributed in the spring. However it can be a difficult time to clean in the direct sun as the glass is already hot and the cleaning solution will evaporate very quickly.
On a sunny day, the lather will dry quickly, leaving persistent streaks and marks even after you've scrubbed and dried your windows. Window cleaning professionals recommend cleaning on a cloudy day. This weather gives you a little more time before the lather starts to dry.
Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you'll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer. Invest in a glass spray bottle to mix up your formula.
Mix up your window-cleaning solution: In a plastic spray bottle, mix together 2 cups of warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn. Sweep away dirt: Using a broom, sweep away the cobwebs and debris from the windows and sills.
Bottom Line
If you're a homeowner, clean your windows regularly, twice or thrice a year, and once every month for commercial properties like restaurants. However, take into account factors that may require you to clean exterior windows more often. You can do it yourself or call in a professional.
The simplest answer is you should have your windows cleaned once or twice a year in spring and fall. Most professional window washing companies will tell you the same.
Sunshine exposure speeds up the drying of the washing solution, which can cause streaking or spotting, so only wash windows on cloudy days or when the windows are shaded. Because window solution dries quickly, even in the shade, work on just one window at a time.
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
Use a dry, lint-free towel, ideally a microfiber cloth, to wash the window, spreading the solution across the glass. This will work better than paper towels, which can leave behind lint. Apply light pressure on any stubborn, stuck-on gunk. Once all the dirt is off the windows, it's time to dry them.
Whether or not you tip your window cleaner depends on the circumstances. Some cleaners will work for a low rate, while others will charge a premium. While it's customary to tip those who provide excellent service, there is no set protocol for tipping window cleaners.
According to their report, windows should be washed twice a year, while screens need only to be cleaned annually. For many home owners and even renters, window cleaning usually is a once-a-year chore.
However, many people delay having their windows cleaned in the winter because they believe that the seasonal rains will mess up the glass. This isn't true. Rain makes dirty windows dirtier, whereas clean windows are not affected when cleaned professionally.
Let's face it: there's a reason why the squeegee has gotten such a great reputation among window cleaners. Not only do squeegees eliminate streaks, but they also make sure that all of the dust, soap residue, and water is stripped from the window. But don't be fooled!
One of the best times for window cleaning and when window cleaners are the busiest is during the spring This is even more important if you have neglected the windows over the winter period. Over time, the windows build up layers of grime, dust, dirt, and pollution caused by weather changes and rainfall.
What happens if you don't clean your windows? "Mostly, you will slowly have less light coming into your home," Ek explains. "However, over time, a buildup of dirt particles can actually etch or degrade the glass."
Schmitz says that cleaning your baseboards once every two to three months should be sufficient, though that will depend on the room of your home and how much traffic it gets. If your baseboards have collected a layer of dirt, dust, and pet hair, they're due for a cleaning, regardless of when you last wiped them down.