How often should I have my windows cleaned?

This depends upon many things including your budget and environmental factors such as dust or pollution present, types of trees in the area, foot traffic inside your home or business, and so forth. 

At the very least, you should have your windows cleaned annually.  This not only keeps your home looking beautiful, but allows your window cleaner to catch potential problems such as leaking skylights, broken window seals, hard water spot development, and many other issues.  A number of our customers schedule their cleaning at six-month intervals, which is the time frame we suggest, but we understand that one's budget is a major deciding factor.

What is the best time of year to have my windows cleaned?

Surprisingly, there is technically not a month or season better than any other.  In other words, we clean windows every month of the year based on our customers' preferences.  We have found that a similar number of folks prefer spring, summer, or fall. Still, many of our customers schedule their window cleaning for the winter months, so that their windows look their best around the Holidays, and maybe to give a sparkle to their home in an otherwise cold or dreary month.     

Do you just clean the outside of the windows?

We clean both sides.  Although it may seem like the outside is the dirtiest, you may be surprised to learn that the inside can get just as dirty and often develops a haze or film comprised of kitchen smoke, dust, dander, and other microscopic particles.  Cleaning just half of the window is not really cleaning the window.

What do you use to clean my windows?

Our service area is blessed to have excellent water quality containing a low TDS (total dissolved solids) count, thus water softeners are not necessary.  This means, many types of cleaning agents can be used.  Window cleaners use everything from dish detergents to ammonia, but our favorite solutions are the ones designed specifically for window cleaning.  They come in a variety of forms such as pills, powders, and concentrated liquids. 

Just as you have your preferred cleaning agents, each window cleaner has his or her own.  And while it is important what product is used, how it is used is much more important. 

What are these hard-to-remove spots on my windows?

They are probably mineral deposits, a.k.a. "hard water spots," and are most commonly caused by sprinkler overspray or rainwater that has run over mortar, limestone, or precast concrete above windows.  Unless purified, water contains trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, and other minerals that will bond to your glass.  An example is the overspray from your hose or sprinkler that comes into contact with your glass.  As it evaporates, it deposits these minerals on the glass.  If left untreated, this process will ultimately etch the glass permanently.  

A simple solution of white vinegar and water, or a mild abrasive like baking soda and water applied with a #000 steel wool pad or white pad (a green pad is highly discouraged due to scratching) can go a long way to removing these deposits, but more stubborn spots will require a professional and possibly even an acid or other restoration method.  

What are these white spots inside my windows?

If you notice small white spots, flakes, fogging, or condensation between the glass panels of your IG (insulated glass) units, it is most certainly window corrosion.  This problem most often occurs after the seal is compromised which allows moisture to enter.  Unfortunately, replacing the window in part or whole is the only viable solution once this process has begun.  Check with your builder or the window manufacturer to discuss warranty options.  

Do scrapers or razor blades scratch glass?

The short answer is no.  Scrapers do not scratch uncoated glass when properly used, as the glass is actually harder than the metal in the blade.  However, there is a caveat.  The issue can arise while cleaning tempered glass, and is due to inherent defects on the surface of the glass.  An example of such a defect is fabricating debris. During the manufacturing process, microscopic glass particles can settle onto the glass, and when the glass is heat treated the particles are effectively baked onto the glass surface.  Running a scraper across glass with such defects can dislodge them, resulting in micro scratches across the surface of the glass. More prevalent, however, is the scratching caused during the construction clean up (the initial cleaning after your windows have been installed, or after such debris has been deposited onto your windows).  Often mortar or concrete finds its way onto your glass.  A scraper will dislodge this construction debris and severely scratch your glass.  Additionally, using a low quality or rusted blade can damage your windows.

Despite the occasional bad rap, scrapers remain a vital tool in the window cleaner's arsenal, and your window cleaning professional will know how to minimize or altogether avoid any related problems.