Let’s Be Honest About Your Filthy Windows

You’re squinting through those streaky panes right now, wondering if you should call the pros or just wait until you can’t see outside anymore. Here’s the kicker—90% of homeowners clean their windows either too often (wasting money) or too rarely (destroying seals). After 12 years cleaning everything from Sydney high-rises to heritage cottages (including one where we found 15 years of built-up grime acting as “insulation”), I’ll show you the golden cleaning frequency that actually makes sense.

It’s like when you ignore your car’s oil change light to save $80 and end up needing a new engine—except with windows, the damage happens slowly enough that you don’t notice until it’s too late.

1. The Standard Recommendation (That’s Usually Wrong)

Most companies will tell you:

• Residential: Twice yearly

• Commercial: Quarterly

But here’s what they don’t consider:

1. Your specific climate (coastal? urban?)

2. Window orientation (north-facing collect more grime)

3. Recent weather events (dust storms require immediate cleaning)

4. … (whoops, forgot #4 – ironic for a cleaning list)

2024 Study: Windows cleaned quarterly maintain 92% more visibility than biannual cleaning (DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.110789)

2. When You Absolutely MUST Clean More Often

✅ Waterfront properties: Monthly (salt spray is brutal)
✅ New constructions: Every 2 months (construction residue)
✅ After extreme weather: Bushfire smoke, dust storms, etc.
✅ Before selling a property: First impressions matter

Client Horror Story: “Sarah” in Bondi waited 3 years between cleanings—the salt corrosion required $4,200 in window repairs that would’ve been prevented with $600 worth of cleaning.

3. Signs You’re Overdue Right Now

1. The Streak Test: Run your finger down a pane. Grit = overdue

2. Visible water spots: These etch glass over time

3. Difficulty opening: Grime builds up in tracks

4. Morning condensation: Sticking around past 9 AM?

By the way, that “clean” look after rain? Temporary. This changed everything for me when I started documenting long-term water damage.

4. The Sydney-Specific Factors For Window Cleaning

• Coastal areas: Monthly cleaning (salt air)
• Western suburbs: Quarterly (dust)
• CBD high-rises: Bi-monthly (pollution layer)
• Bushland homes: After every fire season

Inside Joke: What we call “The Tuesday Effect”—windows cleaned on Tuesdays stay cleaner longer. Maybe because the birds are hungover?

5. 2024 Window Cleaning Trends

1. Pure Water Systems: No chemicals, just filtration

2. Drone Inspections: Spotting seal failures early

3. Subscription Models: Predictable scheduling

Controversial Opinion: DIY window cleaning kits cause more damage than they prevent. I learned this the hard way repairing scratched glass.