How often should you clean your windows? For most homes in the Twin Cities, twice a year is the right answer. Once in spring and once in fall keeps windows clear without turning it into a constant chore.
That said, some homes need more and a few can get by with less. Here is how to figure out where yours lands.
Why spring and fall work so well
Spring clears away everything winter left behind. Road spray, salt film near busy streets, and the haze from a long season of closed-up living all show up the first sunny day in April. A spring cleaning also gets the screens ready before you open the windows for the season.
Waiting until late May or early June has its perks. Trees are done dropping most of their pollen by then, and cottonwood fluff tends to fly in June. Cleaning after the worst of it means the glass stays clear longer.
Fall takes care of summer dust, bugs, and sprinkler spots. It also matters more than people think. The sun sits low in a Minnesota winter, and low light shows every streak and smudge. Clean glass in fall means a brighter house through the darkest months.
Homes that need more than twice a year
Some homes collect grime faster. You may want three or four cleanings a year if:
- You live on a lake. Lake homes get more bugs, spider webs, and water spots, and they usually have big windows facing the view.
- Sprinklers hit your glass. Hard water leaves mineral spots that get harder to remove the longer they sit.
- You are near construction or a busy road. Dust and road film build up quickly.
- You have pets or little kids. Nose prints on the inside of sliding doors are a fact of life.
Storefronts are their own category. Most businesses do best with a regular route, often every few weeks, so entries always look clean to customers.
Watch out for hard water spots
If your sprinkler heads spray the house, fix that first. Minnesota groundwater is hard, and the minerals left behind can etch the glass if they sit long enough. Etched glass can’t be cleaned back to new.
Adjust or turn the heads so they water the lawn and not the windows. Then have the spots removed while they are still on the surface.
Don’t forget the screens, tracks, and sills
Clean glass behind a dirty screen still looks dull. Screens catch pollen, dust, and cottonwood, and they block more light than you would think. Wipe them down when the glass gets cleaned.
Tracks and sills collect dead bugs and grit, which can wear down weatherstripping and make windows harder to open. A quick vacuum and wipe each spring helps them slide and seal the way they should.
If you clean them yourself
You can do a good job on first floor windows with a few basics.
- Use a squeegee, a bucket of water with a little dish soap, and a scrubber or microfiber cloth
- Work on a cloudy day or on the shady side of the house, since sun dries the glass before you can wipe it and leaves streaks
- Wipe the squeegee blade after each pass
- Be careful with razor blades on coated or tempered glass, which can scratch
Second story windows are a different story. Ladders and wet glass don’t mix, so that is a good place to call a pro.
Gutters go hand in hand
Gutter cleaning fits naturally with fall window cleaning. Once most of the leaves are down, clearing the gutters and downspouts keeps water moving and lowers the risk of ice dams when winter arrives. Many homes with big trees need it in spring too.
How we can help
Our own trained crew handles exterior and interior window cleaning, screen wipe-downs, and gutter and downspout cleaning across Eden Prairie and the southwest metro. Book a one-time cleaning, or set up spring and fall visits.
Our Premium and Elite membership plans include window cleaning twice a year and gutter cleaning once a year. We are booking now for spring 2027. Learn more about our window cleaning service, or request a free quote.
Window cleaning questions
How often should windows be cleaned?
Twice a year works for most homes, once in spring and once in fall. Lake homes, homes near construction, and homes with sprinklers hitting the glass may need more.
Is it worth cleaning the inside too?
Yes. A lot of the haze you notice comes from the inside of the glass, especially in winter when the house is closed up.
Can hard water spots be removed?
Fresh spots usually come off. Spots left for years can etch into the glass, which is why it helps to fix the sprinkler and clean them early.
Do you clean gutters too?
Yes. We clear gutters and downspouts, and you can add it to any window cleaning visit.
