The Direct Answer
There isn’t one fixed rule. Many homes are happy with a clean every few weeks to every couple of months, and some want less often. What decides it is how quickly your glass looks dirty to you, the trees and roads near you, and how much you notice. I’d rather agree a gap with you than push one.
Why is there no fixed number?
Window cleaners, trade bodies and manufacturers don’t agree on a single interval, and I haven’t found a source that proves one. That’s honest, and it matches what I see: two houses on the same road can need different gaps. So I treat any universal number as a guess.
What changes how quickly windows get dirty?
- Trees and hedges nearby. Pollen, sap and leaf drop settle on glass.
- Busy roads. Road film builds up on front windows.
- Birds. Under eaves and near feeders, droppings show quickly.
- Weather. A dry spell with wind lifts dust. Rain washes some off and leaves some behind.
- Building work nearby. Dust settles on everything.
- Frames and sills. Dirty frames can run onto clean glass, which makes windows look dirty sooner.
- How much it bothers you. A front window you see from the sofa tells you sooner than a side window.
How would I pick a schedule?
I’d start from what you see. If you’re happy with a clean every month, we do that. If you only want it when the glass looks grubby, a one-off clean may fit better than a regular round. On the outside window cleaning page, I explain how a regular round works and what I need to know before I set it up.
What happens on a regular window cleaning round? explains how the visits work.
Is it better to clean little and often?
Often, yes, for this reason: lighter dirt comes off more easily than built-up dirt, and regular rinsing stops grime sitting on frames and seals. But it’s a preference, not a rule, and cost is part of it too. I haven’t put prices on this page, and I won’t make up savings. Get a quote and I’ll tell you what each option would be.
Do inside windows need the same gap?
Not usually. Indoor glass gets dirty from fingers, pets, cooking and condensation rather than weather, so it tends to follow your household, not the season. Inside or outside: which windows to clean? has more.
Pollen season and the best time of year to clean goes through the seasons one by one.
What about winter?
Windows still get dirty in winter. Short days, damp air and condensation mean you notice marks in low sun. I clean through the colder months when conditions allow, and I’ll rebook if the weather stops a visit. What to do if weather affects a visit is on the FAQ page.
How do I decide?
Try this. Look at your front windows in daylight today. If you can see film or spots from three metres away, it’s already time. If they look fine, wait another couple of weeks and look again. That gives you your own number, and you can tell me.
Common questions
Is it worth cleaning in the rain?
Rain doesn’t clean windows. It rinses off some dirt and leaves marks where dirt and water dry together. Light rain doesn’t always stop an outside clean, but I’ll rebook if conditions mean I can’t do a good job.
Will regular cleaning damage the glass?
Not with soft brushes and pure water. The glass and frames are rinsed, not scraped. If you ever see scratches, tell me straight away.
Should I change the gap in summer or winter?
You might. Pollen and sap in spring and summer can mark windows quickly. In winter you may notice condensation and low sun more. Let me know what you see and we can adjust.
Can I pause or stop a regular round?
Tell me what you want and I’ll put the terms in your quote so it’s clear.
Why do you suggest every 6 weeks for outsides?
It’s the gap I’ve chosen for my round, so the dirt stays light enough to come off easily between visits. It isn’t a rule, and you can ask for a different gap. Insides are every 12 weeks on my round, because indoor glass gets dirty more slowly.
Do upstairs windows need cleaning as often as downstairs?
They tend to collect less splash-back and road film than ground-floor glass, but more from birds under the eaves. On my round I clean them all on the same visit, because it’s simpler and the pole reaches them from the ground anyway.
What next?
If you live in Wickford or Rayleigh and you’d like me to suggest a gap based on your house, get a quote. Tell me about trees, roads and how often you notice marks, and I’ll suggest something.
