How often do you wash your homes windows?

[harllee]

I live in a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) and they wash the windows inside and out once per year. We could have it done more often for an extra charge. One of the advantages of living in a CCRC.

 

[FIREd]

I wash my windows inside and out once or twice a year. It’s much needed most of the time as we often get sand flying from the Sahara desert leaving a dusty orange residue everywhere. I only have 6 (large) windows in my condo and I can wash both sides of the windows from the inside, so it isn’t a major job. It’s worth washing them though, because the view is worth it.

I lived in a high rise in San Francisco once as the windows didn’t open. The outside was washed once a year by a window cleaning crew. And the day after the windows were washed, a bird would almost always poop on the clean glass and we’d have to live with that for a whole year .

 

[aaronc879]

I've been here 8.5 years and haven't done it yet. Just not a priority.

 

[djsander]

Not often enough. We keep putting it off as other things come up.

 

[jazz4cash]

Once per yr in early summer or late spring. Two story very high windows that we couldn’t really reach effectively. After 10 yrs we hired it out. I was shocked they only charge $5-6 per window inside and out plus $1 extra for screens. They charge double for oversize but smaller windows are 2 for 1. It takes a month or so to get on their schedule. As we age we appreciate reasonably priced handyman services.

 

[pacergal]

Most of our windows are covered by blinds or drapes, and since out house is E/W facing, I keep them closed to maintain heat/cool.
The one I do wash frequently is the dining room sliding door, where doggie nose and paw prints are--it's a constant job--lol.

 

[pb4uski]

Once every couple years. Have you considered doing a BTD and getting one of those robotic window washers.

They look pretty cool.

 

[Walt34]

Please share the supplies you use and the “right streak free solution”.

I've been using this ZEP concentrated window cleaner for decades. One gallon lasts for about a decade since so little of it is used to make the solution. I also bought the squeegee, poles of various lengths, and thingy with the cloth on it to hold the solution and scrub the window. It all works great, streak free and goes quickly. Well, about as quickly as window cleaning can go.

 

[Flyfish1]

Well it depends - the whole house maybe once a year.
The kitchen where there is a window bench seat that the two Cavaliers's rub their noises on the glass is more like monthly. Dogs...

 

[COcheesehead]

So I guess I am the over washer, but we have a west facing view of million+ year old cliffs. We love the view. We bought the lot because of the view. I want to see it.

 

[MarieIG]

I've been using this ZEP concentrated window cleaner for decades. One gallon lasts for about a decade since so little of it is used to make the solution. I also bought the squeegee, poles of various lengths, and thingy with the cloth on it to hold the solution and scrub the window. It all works great, streak free and goes quickly. Well, about as quickly as window cleaning can go.

That certainly has high ratings.

 

[yhoomajor]

don't see much of window washing here in Arizona.

 

[COcheesehead]

don't see much of window washing here in Arizona.

I would have thought opposite in dusty environments

 

[More Cowbell]

I was washing about 2x/yr up until 3 years ago, when other priorities sucked up my time. I need to get back on track. Single story with wraparound courtyard view, but all the windows have divided lites, so multiply the amount of squeegee work. The right tools and cleaner make the difference: pro-grade squeegee, good quality rubber with a sharp edge, a T-bar with scrubber sleeve, a pro-grade cleaning solution, deionized (DI) water for final rinse, and poles. Recently found a local window washing supply store, so I splurged on a 27” to 8’ CF telescopic pole. Besides window squeegee work, I can connect a brush or a microfiber cloth on a T-bar to dust ledges or knock down spiderwebs. The CF pole could be converted to a water fed system, but not ready for that yet. The DI water gets used to rinse cars and solar panels, squeegee rubber for indoor shower and mirrors. The older non-CF poles are used for the solar panels and for cleaning gutters.

The only problem with clean windows are the occasional bird strikes afterwards.

 

[Koolau]

I was washing about 2x/yr up until 3 years ago, when other priorities sucked up my time. I need to get back on track. Single story with wraparound courtyard view, but all the windows have divided lites, so multiply the amount of squeegee work. The right tools and cleaner make the difference: pro-grade squeegee, good quality rubber with a sharp edge, a T-bar with scrubber sleeve, a pro-grade cleaning solution, deionized (DI) water for final rinse, and poles. Recently found a local window washing supply store, so I splurged on a 27” to 8’ CF telescopic pole. Besides window squeegee work, I can connect a brush or a microfiber cloth on a T-bar to dust ledges or knock down spiderwebs. The CF pole could be converted to a water fed system, but not ready for that yet. The DI water gets used to rinse cars and solar panels, squeegee rubber for indoor shower and mirrors. The older non-CF poles are used for the solar panels and for cleaning gutters.

The only problem with clean windows are the occasional bird strikes afterwards.

Yeah, we used to have a bird that would sit on a post outside the house. He'd see himself in the kitchen window and fly at his reflection. He'd bounce off and fall to the ground. Then, he'd unruffle his feathers and take his place on the perch - and do it again. And again. etc.

 

[Exchme]

Once in the 18 years we've lived in this house. Had to pay to have it done. We get algae growth due to the air conditioning inside and high humidity outside causing condensation.

 

[pacergal]

So I guess I am the over washer, but we have a west facing view of million+ year old cliffs. We love the view. We bought the lot because of the view. I want to see it.

beautiful view and your doodle looks just like ours!

 

[Cerys]

Exterior window in the front the picture window — I like to do it once a month. It’s dusty and windy here. Interior? Interesting thing, I had a bathroom shower door put in and they handed me the stuff called Sprayway. Glass cleaner. Stinks to high heavens… worth it. I used it on my front window like three months ago. My front window is still clean on the inside. And I was doing it once a month.

I started using it on my car windows — it’s great. I don’t know what happened to Windex, Windex is terrible.

Used Windex for years as a janitor with no issue whatsoever. Maybe it’s because I had to hit the same places practically every day because people refuse to use handles they just press the glass.

 

[davidfin]

Following onto the car wash thread, how often do you wash or get your homes windows cleaned?
We have nice views and I hate looking out of hazy windows especially when the sun shines through.
It can cost a lot to get your windows washed so I bought the extension poles and the supplies to do it myself.

We get dirty rains. A dusty wind followed by rain which creates a thin layer of mud on everything.

So I end up cleaning the windows 2-3 times a month. Takes me about 30 minutes. Using the right streak free solution is key and a good squeegee.

Annually. A very detailed job includes silicon spray runners and screen repair and cleaning.

 

[COcheesehead]

I washed ours about a week ago and they’ll get rewashed again tomorrow after a big storm tonight. I have it down to a science. 30 minutes tops to do almost all the outside windows that matter. Clerestory windows not included.

 

[meleana]

Following onto the car wash thread, how often do you wash or get your homes windows cleaned?
We have nice views and I hate looking out of hazy windows especially when the sun shines through.
It can cost a lot to get your windows washed so I bought the extension poles and the supplies to do it myself.

We get dirty rains. A dusty wind followed by rain which creates a thin layer of mud on everything.

So I end up cleaning the windows 2-3 times a month. Takes me about 30 minutes. Using the right streak free solution is key and a good squeegee.

Twice per year. Spring and Fall. We live in NH.

But inside just once in the spring.

 

[COcheesehead]

I mentioned this up thread, but we have really nice views of the mountains off the entire back of the house. Hence my motivation to not have the windows dirty with hazy film. That, and I am pretty persnickety.

 

[Koolau]

Exterior window in the front the picture window — I like to do it once a month. It’s dusty and windy here. Interior? Interesting thing, I had a bathroom shower door put in and they handed me the stuff called Sprayway. Glass cleaner. Stinks to high heavens… worth it. I used it on my front window like three months ago. My front window is still clean on the inside. And I was doing it once a month.

I started using it on my car windows — it’s great. I don’t know what happened to Windex, Windex is terrible.

Used Windex for years as a janitor with no issue whatsoever. Maybe it’s because I had to hit the same places practically every day because people refuse to use handles they just press the glass.

Looks like Home Depot has SPRAYWAY Glass Cleaner. Think I'll try it on our shower glass.

 

[COcheesehead]

Looks like Home Depot has SPRAYWAY Glass Cleaner. Think I'll try it on our shower glass.

Pro tip. Use Rain X. The stuff they make for car windshields on your shower glass. Sheds water and no water spots.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Once every couple years. Have you considered doing a BTD and getting one of those robotic window washers.

They look pretty cool.

Do the robotic window washers work when using for the first time on really filthy windows? I am afraid that it will move dirt around and end up with smudges or that after every one or two "sweeps", I will need to take it off to clean the cloth.