It is the question we get asked more than any other. People know their windows need doing, they are just not sure whether that means twice a year, four times a year, or only when the glass starts to look obviously bad.
There is no single answer that suits every property. Where you live, what is around you and what the building is used for all change the answer. Here is how to work it out.
The Starting Point: Every Three to Six Months
For most homes, somewhere between three and six months is the sensible range. At six months the glass is usually still presentable but you will notice a haze building. At three months the windows rarely get the chance to look dirty at all.
If you are not sure where to start, book a clean and then pay attention to how the glass looks at the three month mark. That tells you more than any general rule can.
Coastal Properties Need It More Often
Salt is the big variable across our area. Homes along the Surf Coast and around the Bellarine Peninsula take salt carried in on the wind, and it settles on glass as a fine film that does not wash off in the rain. It also collects in the frames and channels, which means the next shower carries it straight back down the pane.
For properties with a clear line to the water, every three months is realistic. A few streets back and sheltered from the prevailing wind, four to six months is usually fine.
Trees, Traffic and Building Sites
Three things speed up how quickly glass gets dirty, and none of them have anything to do with how careful you are:
- Mature street trees, which drop pollen, sap and leaf debris through spring and summer.
- Busy roads, where traffic film builds into a greasy layer that a garden hose will not shift.
- Nearby construction, which is a real factor in the newer estates where building is still going on.
If two or more of those apply to your property, move to the shorter end of the range.
Commercial Properties Are a Different Question
For shopfronts and offices, the schedule is driven by how the glass looks to customers rather than by wear. Retail frontages and cafes are often done monthly or fortnightly. Offices and medical suites usually sit on a quarterly cycle. Our commercial window cleaning work is almost always scheduled rather than booked job by job, and we can work outside your trading hours.
A Schedule Beats Booking It When You Notice
The practical advantage of a regular schedule is that the job never becomes a big one. Glass that is cleaned on a cycle takes less time and stays in better condition than glass that is left until the build-up is obvious. It also means you are not the one who has to remember.
Excel Window Cleaning has been servicing homes and businesses since 2002 across Geelong, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine Peninsula and Melbourne’s west. If you would like a hand working out the right frequency for your property, call us on 1300 962 791 or get a free quote. You can see all of our service areas to find your suburb.
