The right date for window cleaning turns on four things: temperature, wind, sun and what else is happening around the house. Below is a season-by-season comparison, the weather that helps, and the order for exterior jobs that keeps glass clean the longest.
In This Article
Four conditions that make or break a cleaning day
Temperature. Water-based cleaning needs air above freezing, or the water turns to ice on glass, sills and hoses. Freeze-thaw cycles are common from November to April, so plan for mild days.
Wind. Gusts blow spray back at the cleaner, dry the mix before it can be cleared and swing long poles. Calm mornings are ideal.
Sun. Direct sun on warm glass dries water almost instantly, and quick drying is what causes streaks. Overcast days and shaded walls give more working time.
What is falling. Cleaning in the middle of a pollen wave, a leaf drop or a construction dust cloud means cleaning twice. Timing after the fall is a bigger gain than timing before it.
Season by season: what you gain and what you risk
| Season | What works in its favour | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April to June) | Winter salt and grime come off, and the light returns. | Tree pollen is heaviest from late April into May, so a very early clean gets dusted over again. Waiting until early June avoids that. |
| Summer (July and August) | Settled weather and long days. | Hot glass dries fast, and sprinklers can spot windows between visits. |
| Early to mid fall (September to early November) | The pollen is gone, and cleaning before winter clears months of grime. | Heavy oak and maple leaf drop runs from late October into November, so clean after most leaves are down. |
| Winter (December to March) | Interior glass can be done any day, and mild days allow some exterior work. | Ice, snow and salt spray make ladders and exterior work risky, and the first lasting snow usually arrives in November or December. |
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Time of day and the forecast
Early morning is the working sweet spot in summer, because the sun is low and the walls are still cool. In spring and fall, a mid-morning start on a mild, overcast day works well. Late fall has short days and fewer working hours, so an early start matters more in November than it does in June.
Check the forecast a day or two ahead on the Environment and Climate Change Canada site, and look at wind speed as well as rain. A light shower after a clean rarely undoes the work on clean glass, but a windy, dusty day right after one can. Ask any company what it does in the rain, because some crews will work in light drizzle and others reschedule.
The order of exterior jobs: gutters, house wash, then windows
Windows should come last. Gutter cleaning drips grime and can leave ladder marks, and house washing sends runoff down the walls. Do the windows after both, and the glass stays clear instead of being splashed the same week.
- Clear the eavestroughs and downspouts first.
- Wash siding, brick or stucco next, if it needs it.
- Clean the windows, screens and sills last.
The same logic applies to driveway and deck work: anything that throws water or dust goes ahead of the glass.
Dates driven by your plans, not the season
Some dates have nothing to do with weather.
- Before listing photos. Clean glass makes rooms look brighter in pictures, so book it a few days before the photographer comes, not the week after.
- After renovations. Wait until painting, sanding and siding work are finished, or dust and overspray will land on freshly cleaned glass.
- Before big gatherings. Leave a spare day in case rain or wind pushes the visit back.
- After moving in. Start with a clean slate, and note any windows that need repair before the first winter.
Booking ahead and matching your calendar
Late spring and mid fall are popular, so popular windows can fill. Ask about availability several weeks ahead, and be flexible about the day of the week. D&D Home Services works Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm, and quotes window cleaning from $125 for typical Kitchener-Waterloo homes, with the final price confirmed in writing. If your schedule is tight, tell the company which windows matter most, so the crew can focus on them if weather cuts a visit short.
For a side-by-side look at two of the busiest seasons, read spring versus fall window cleaning. To see what a visit includes, see window cleaning.
Key Takeaways
- Clean when it is above freezing, calm and overcast, and after pollen, leaves or dust have fallen rather than during them.
- For a single clean, early June or the weeks after most leaves have fallen in the fall usually work well.
- Order matters: gutters first, house washing second and windows last.
- Ask any company how it handles rain and wind, and book ahead for the busy spring and fall weeks.
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