Look, I’m gonna be straight with you. When’s the last time you actually cleaned your windows? Like, really cleaned them? If you’re scratching your head trying to remember, you’re not alone. Most homeowners in the Chicago area don’t think about their windows until they can barely see through them anymore.
I’ve been in the window washing business since 1996, and I’ve seen it all. Windows so dirty you’d think they were tinted. Glass covered in so much grime that people thought their view had just gotten worse with age. Spoiler alert: it was just dirt.
So how often should you clean your windows? The short answer is: more often than you are now. But the real answer? It depends on where you live, what’s around your house, and how much you care about actually seeing outside.
Let me break this down for you.
Why Window Cleaning Frequency Actually Matters
Here’s something most people don’t realize. Dirty windows aren’t just ugly, they’re actually costing you money. Seriously.
When dirt and grime build up on your glass, it blocks natural light. Less light means you’re turning on more lamps and overhead lights during the day. Your energy bill goes up. Plus, that buildup can actually damage your windows over time. Hard water stains, oxidation, and mineral deposits can etch into glass permanently if you wait too long.
And there’s the whole curb appeal thing. Your neighbors notice. Trust me, as experienced window professionals who’ve worked with over 100,000 homes across Chicagoland, we see the difference between maintained homes and neglected ones.
Ready to get your windows back to crystal clear? Prime Time Window Cleaning offers same-day service throughout the area. Check out our current specials and save on your first cleaning!
The Standard Answer: Twice a Year (But That’s Not the Whole Story)
Most trusted window cleaning companies will tell you the same thing: clean your windows twice a year. Spring and fall. That’s the baseline recommendation, and for a lot of homes, it works fine.
Spring cleaning gets rid of all the winter gunk. Salt spray from roads, moisture damage, grime that built up during those months you weren’t opening your windows. Fall cleaning prepares your home for winter and removes all the pollen, dust, and summer buildup.
But here’s where it gets interesting. That twice-a-year schedule assumes you have a pretty average situation. Average location. Average weather. Average amount of trees. Average everything.
And let’s be real, nothing about Chicago weather is average.
When You Actually Need Professional Window Washing More Often
Some homes need window cleaning three, four, or even six times a year. Here’s when you fall into that category.
You Live Near Busy Roads
Traffic means exhaust. Exhaust means film on your windows. If your house is close to a highway or busy street, you’re getting coated constantly. Diesel exhaust is particularly nasty, it creates this oily residue that regular rain won’t wash off.
Homes near busy roads should get cleaned quarterly at minimum. That’s four times a year. I’ve worked with clients in downtown Chicago who need service every other month just to keep up.
Trees Surround Your Property
Love your trees? Your windows don’t. Trees drop sap, pollen, and sticky residue. Plus they attract birds, and birds leave… well, you know. Bird droppings are acidic and can actually etch glass if left too long.
If you’ve got a lot of trees around your home, especially pine trees or maples, you’re looking at three to four cleanings per year. Spring is brutal for pollen. Fall brings leaves and debris. Even summer has its issues with sap and insects.
Your Sprinklers Hit the Windows
This is huge. Automatic sprinkler systems are convenient for your lawn but terrible for your windows. The minerals in water create spots and stains that build up fast. Hard water is a real problem in many parts of Illinois.
If sprinklers regularly hit your windows, you need professional service at least quarterly. Otherwise you’ll end up with permanent staining that even licensed window cleaning experts struggle to remove. We see this all the time in Highland Park where irrigation systems are common.
You Have Kids or Pets
Little hands. Wet noses. Fingerprints and nose prints everywhere. If you have young kids or dogs, your interior windows get disgusting fast. The outside might be fine but the inside looks like a disaster.
For homes with kids and pets, interior cleaning should happen three to four times yearly at minimum. Some families even do it monthly. One of our clients in Naperville has three golden retrievers. We’re there every six weeks just for interiors.
Finding yourself nodding along to multiple categories? Contact us for a free estimate on a custom cleaning schedule. Our bonded window cleaners serve all of Chicagoland with flexible scheduling options.
Seasonal Window Cleaning: When to Schedule Each Service
Let’s get specific about timing. Because even if you only clean twice a year, when you do it matters.
Spring Window Washing (March-May)
Spring is prime time. Winter does serious damage. Salt residue from roads, moisture marks, dirt that accumulated while windows stayed closed for months. Plus spring pollen starts hitting hard in April and May.
Schedule your spring cleaning for late March or early April, right when weather warms up but before the worst pollen hits. This gives you clean windows to enjoy through early summer before things get messy again.
Spring cleaning should always include screens. They’ve been sitting there all winter collecting dust and debris. Clean screens mean better airflow when you finally open those windows.
Fall Window Washing (September-November)
Fall cleaning prepares your home for winter. You want clean windows before the days get shorter and you’re spending more time indoors. Natural light is premium when it’s dark by 5pm.
Late September or early October is ideal. You’ve dealt with most of the summer dirt but it’s not cold yet. Our certified window washing teams are busy in fall, so book ahead.
Fall is also when you should consider rain gutter cleaning near me services. Gutters and windows go together. Clogged gutters overflow and splash dirty water down your siding onto your windows. Clean both and your windows stay cleaner longer.
Summer Touch-Ups (Optional but Smart)
If you can swing it, a mid-summer cleaning is worth it. June through August brings storms, pollen, insects, and general grime. A July or August cleaning keeps things looking good through the end of summer.
Not everyone needs this. But if you’re hosting summer parties, selling your home, or just like things pristine, it makes sense. We do a lot of summer cleanings in Lake Forest for clients who entertain frequently.
Winter Cleaning (Yes, Really)
Most people don’t think about window washing in winter, but it’s actually possible. As long as temperatures are above freezing, professional window washers can work safely.
Winter cleaning has benefits. Less pollen, fewer bugs, and solutions work well in cool weather. Plus, your windows sparkle for the holidays. Nothing makes a home feel festive like clean windows reflecting Christmas lights.
How Location Affects Your Window Cleaning Schedule
Where you live in the Chicago area makes a huge difference.
Urban homes deal with more pollution and traffic grime. Suburban homes battle pollen and tree debris. Rural properties face dust from fields and dirt roads. Each situation needs a different approach.
City Living: More Frequent Cleaning
Downtown and urban neighborhoods accumulate dirt faster. Exhaust, construction dust, general city grime, it all settles on your windows. Buildings are close together, so wind tunnels push dirt around constantly.
City homes should lean toward quarterly cleaning. Three to four times yearly keeps windows looking decent. Some high-rise residents in Chicago need monthly service, especially on lower floors where street-level pollution is worst.
Suburban Areas: Standard Schedule Works
Most suburban homes do fine with the standard twice-yearly schedule. Unless you have trees, sprinklers, or busy road situations, spring and fall cleaning handles it.
The suburbs are where that baseline recommendation actually applies. Neighborhoods in Wheaton, Arlington Heights, and similar areas typically need service every six months.
Near Water: Special Considerations
Live near Lake Michigan or another body of water? Water brings moisture, which brings water spots and mineral deposits. Lake effect weather means more precipitation hitting your windows.
Waterfront properties should consider three cleanings yearly. The extra moisture makes everything stick. Plus windows facing the water take the most abuse from wind and spray.
Not sure what schedule fits your specific situation? Our experienced window professionals can assess your home and recommend the perfect timing. Get your free consultation today – we’ve served over 100,000 homes since 1996 and know exactly what Chicago properties need.
Signs You’re Overdue for Window Cleaning Right Now
Sometimes you don’t need a schedule, you just need to look at your windows and admit they’re gross. Here’s how to tell you’ve waited too long.
You can’t see out clearly. This seems obvious but people ignore it. If you look through your window and things seem hazy or unclear, you’re overdue.
You see streaks and spots even from inside. When dirt is visible from multiple angles, it’s built up significantly. Time to call in the professionals.
Your windows feel rough or gritty to touch. Clean glass is smooth. If you run your hand across the inside of your window and feel texture, that’s accumulated grime.
White or cloudy marks won’t wipe off. That’s hard water staining or mineral deposits. Once it reaches this stage, you need professional products and techniques. DIY won’t cut it anymore.
You honestly can’t remember the last time they were cleaned. If you’re reading this article and thinking “yeah, it’s been a while,” it’s definitely been too long. Schedule service today.
The Real Cost of Waiting Too Long Between Cleanings
Let’s talk money. Because putting off window washing actually costs you more in the long run.
When windows go months or years without professional cleaning, simple dirt becomes serious problems. Hard water stains etch into glass. Oxidation damages frames. Mineral deposits become permanent. What should’ve been a routine cleaning becomes restoration work.
We charge more for heavily soiled windows because they take more time, more product, and more effort. A home that gets regular maintenance might cost $200-300 for full service. That same home left for three years might cost $400-500 because we’re fixing damage, not just cleaning.
Plus there’s the replacement cost. Windows aren’t cheap. Properly maintained windows last decades. Neglected windows develop seal failures, frame damage, and permanent glass etching that requires replacement. We’re talking thousands of dollars because you skipped a few $150 cleanings.
Energy efficiency drops too. Dirty windows block light, making your home darker and colder. You run more lights and turn up the heat. Over time, that adds up on your utility bills.
How Often Do Window Washing Companies Recommend Service?
Here’s what we tell our clients at Prime Time Window Cleaning after nearly 30 years in business. Every home is different, but we’ve found these general guidelines work.
Minimum maintenance: Twice yearly (spring and fall). This is baseline for average homes with average conditions. Most suburban properties with moderate tree coverage and normal exposure fit here.
Standard maintenance: Three times yearly (spring, summer, fall). This covers homes with some aggravating factors. Maybe you have more trees than average. Maybe there’s moderate traffic nearby. This schedule prevents buildup and keeps windows consistently clean.
Frequent maintenance: Quarterly (every 3 months). For homes with multiple challenges. Heavy tree coverage, busy roads, sprinkler systems, lots of kids or pets, waterfront property. This schedule is common for homes in Lake Zurich and other areas with significant tree coverage.
Premium maintenance: Monthly or bi-monthly. This is for people who want perfection all the time. Commercial properties, homes on the market, property managers, or just folks who really value pristine windows. We have several clients who get monthly service and their homes always look magazine-ready.
The honest truth? Most people should be cleaning more often than they do. If you’re doing once a year or less, you’re behind. If you haven’t cleaned in multiple years, your windows need serious help.
DIY vs Professional: Does It Change the Frequency?
Some folks want to know if doing it yourself means you should clean more or less often. Short answer: if you’re doing DIY, you probably need to do it more often to get comparable results.
Here’s why professional window washing services work better and last longer. We have better equipment. Our squeegees, solutions, and techniques leave windows cleaner with no streaks. When windows are truly clean, they stay cleaner longer.
DIY cleaning with paper towels and store-bought spray leaves residue. That residue attracts dirt faster. So even if you clean your windows yourself, they get dirty again quicker. It’s like mopping a floor with dirty water, you think you’re cleaning but you’re really just redistributing grime.
Professional cleaning also includes all the extras. Screens, tracks, sills, frames. When these areas are clean, less dirt transfers back to your glass. DIY folks usually skip these steps, so dirt keeps cycling back onto the windows.
If you’re committed to DIY, you’ll need to do it more frequently to maintain the same level of cleanliness. Maybe every two months instead of every three. And even then, you won’t get the same results as professional service.
Tired of spending weekends on ladders with mediocre results? Our insured window washers handle everything safely and efficiently. Book your first service and see why over 1,500 customers have given us 5-star reviews. Plus, mention this article and receive 10% off your first cleaning!
Creating Your Perfect Window Cleaning Schedule
Alright, let’s build your custom schedule based on everything we’ve covered. Here’s how to figure out what your home actually needs.
Step 1: Start with the baseline. Every home needs at minimum twice yearly. Put that in your calendar right now. Spring and fall.
Step 2: Add one extra cleaning for each aggravating factor you have. Trees? Add one. Busy road? Add one. Sprinklers hitting windows? Add one. Kids and pets? Add one. You get the idea.
Step 3: Consider your standards. If you’re the type who notices smudges and it drives you crazy, add more frequency. If you’re more relaxed about it, stick with the minimum.
Step 4: Think about your budget. Professional window washing costs between $150-400 for most homes depending on size and condition. Be realistic about what you can afford on a recurring basis. It’s better to commit to twice yearly reliably than to plan quarterly and then cancel because it’s too expensive.
Step 5: Schedule it and stick to it. This is the key. Most people have good intentions but never actually book service. Put it in your calendar. Set reminders. Treat it like any other home maintenance.
Our top-rated window service clients who maintain regular schedules always have better-looking homes and actually spend less money over time. Consistency is cheaper than crisis cleaning.
What About Rain? Doesn’t It Clean Windows Naturally?
I get this question constantly. “Why should I pay for window washing when it rains all the time? Doesn’t rain clean windows?”
No. Rain does not clean windows. This is one of the biggest myths in home maintenance.
Rain is relatively clean water, sure. But it picks up everything in the air on the way down, pollen, dust, pollution particles. When it hits your dirty windows, it mixes with existing grime and creates muddy streaks. Then it dries, leaving behind all those minerals and particles in weird patterns.
Rain actually makes dirty windows look worse, not better. If you’ve ever noticed your windows look extra gross after a rainstorm, that’s why. The rain activated all the dried dirt and spread it around.
Professional cleaning removes all that buildup. Then when it rains, the water just runs off clean glass without leaving marks. Clean windows shed water. Dirty windows trap it.
According to the EPA, maintaining clean surfaces including windows helps improve indoor air quality and reduces allergens in your home. Regular window cleaning isn’t just about appearance, its about creating a healthier living environment.
Questions to Ask When Scheduling Window Washing Services
When you’re ready to book professional service, here’s what you should ask the company.
Are you bonded and insured? This is non-negotiable. Prime Time Window Cleaning carries full liability and workers comp insurance. If someone gets hurt or something gets damaged, you’re protected. Never hire uninsured contractors.
What’s included in your service? Some companies only do exterior glass. Full service should include interior, exterior, screens, tracks, sills, and frames. Know exactly what you’re paying for.
How much does window washing cost for a home my size? Get a clear quote based on your specific property. Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true, they usually are. Quality service from experienced window professionals costs appropriately.
What’s your scheduling flexibility? Life happens. Can they reschedule if weather is bad? Do they offer same-day or next-day service? Prime Time typically responds within an hour and offers flexible scheduling throughout the entire Chicagoland area.
Do you offer package deals or recurring service discounts? Many window washing companies including ours offer better rates when you commit to regular service. It’s cheaper than one-off cleanings and ensures you stay on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Window Cleaning Frequency in Chicago
How often should I clean my windows if I have a lot of trees around my house?
With heavy tree coverage, you should clean windows three to four times per year. Trees drop sap, pollen, and attract birds that leave droppings on glass. In areas like Barrington where mature trees are common, quarterly cleaning prevents buildup that becomes harder to remove. Spring and fall are essential, with summer and winter cleanings recommended for homes surrounded by trees.
Can window washing companies work in the winter in Chicago?
Yes, professional window washers can work year-round as long as temperatures stay above freezing. Winter window cleaning has advantages including less pollen, fewer insects, and great results for holiday preparation. Our reliable window washers at Prime Time have specialized techniques for cold-weather cleaning and have safely serviced homes throughout Chicago winters since 1996.
How much is window washing for a typical two-story home in the suburbs?
For a standard two-story suburban home with 20-30 windows, professional window washing typically costs between $200-350 for full interior and exterior service including screens. Factors affecting price include window quantity, accessibility, current condition, and additional services like track cleaning or hard water stain removal. We offer free estimates and special discounts for first-time customers throughout our service areas.
Do I need to be home when window washers come?
For exterior-only cleaning, you don’t need to be home. Many clients at work schedule exterior service and return to sparkling windows. For interior and exterior service, someone over 18 should be present to provide access and review completed work. We’re flexible with timing and can work around your schedule, including weekend appointments.
Should I combine window washing with rain gutter cleaning?
Absolutely. Clogged gutters overflow and splash dirty water down siding onto windows, making them dirty faster. Combining services is cost-effective and protects your home better. Most of our customers in Elmhurst schedule both services together in spring and fall. Clean gutters mean cleaner windows that stay clear longer, plus you protect your foundation from water damage.
The Bottom Line: You’re Probably Overdue
If you’re still reading this, chances are you already knew your windows needed attention. Most homeowners wait way too long between cleanings. They put it off until windows are obviously dirty, and by then the job is harder and more expensive.
The truth is, regular window cleaning isn’t just about having nice-looking glass. It’s about protecting your investment, maintaining your home’s value, and actually enjoying the natural light you paid for when you bought your house.
At Prime Time Window Cleaning, we’ve been doing this since 1996. We’ve cleaned over 100,000 homes throughout Chicago and the suburbs. We’ve seen every situation, every type of buildup, every excuse for waiting too long. And I can tell you from experience: the homes that look best and cost least to maintain are the ones on regular schedules.
So here’s my challenge to you. Pull out your calendar right now. Schedule your next window cleaning. If you can’t remember your last one, you need service within the next two weeks. If it’s been more than a year, same thing. Get on it.
Your windows are one of the first things people notice about your home. They affect how much you enjoy being inside. They impact your energy bills. They’re worth the investment of proper, regular maintenance.
Stop putting it off. Schedule your window cleaning with Prime Time today. We’re fully bonded and insured, we offer same-day service, and we guarantee you’ll love the results. Our 5-star window cleaning service has earned thousands of satisfied customers across Chicagoland. Call now or book online, let’s get your windows looking the way they should.
Because whether you clean twice a year, four times a year, or monthly, the most important thing is actually doing it. Your windows are definitely overdue. Let’s fix that.
Prime Time Window Cleaning has proudly served residential and commercial properties throughout Chicago, the northwest suburbs, and surrounding areas since 1996. Our licensed window cleaning professionals are fully bonded, insured, and committed to delivering top-rated service on every job. Contact us today to experience the Prime Time difference.