The short answer: twice a year
For most homes in Barrie and the rest of Simcoe County, a professional exterior window cleaning twice a year keeps glass clear and protects it over the long run. Interiors can usually be done once a year, or whenever you notice fingerprints and haze.
Some homes need more often than that. More on those below.
Spring: wash off winter
Ontario winters leave a film of road salt, slush spray and furnace exhaust on exterior glass. By April that film is easy to see once the sun gets higher. A spring clean removes it before pollen season adds another layer, and it's a good time to brush out screens before they go back in.
Fall: let the light in before winter
Late September through November is the other natural window. Summer dust, pollen, cobwebs and bug spots come off, and you go into the darker months with as much daylight as possible. It pairs well with a fall gutter cleaning once the leaves are down.
Homes that need more frequent cleaning
- Waterfront homes on Lake Simcoe, Kempenfelt Bay, Lake Couchiching or Georgian Bay, where wind carries spray and minerals onto the glass
- Homes on busy roads or near construction, where dust builds up fast
- Homes under mature trees, which drop sap, pollen and debris
- Homes with pets or young children (for interior glass)
- Storefronts and commercial properties, where monthly or seasonal schedules are common
Signs your windows are overdue
- A hazy film that’s obvious when the sun hits the glass
- White mineral spots from sprinklers or rain
- Streaks that come back after you wipe them
- Cobwebs, bug spots or bird droppings on frames and sills
- Rooms that look dimmer than they used to
Why regular cleaning protects the glass
Leaving minerals and grime on glass for years can etch the surface, and once that happens it can’t simply be washed off. Regular cleaning prevents that build-up. It also gives you a chance to spot failing seals, cracked caulking or damaged screens early.
At Assure we clean exterior glass with purified water, which dries without leaving mineral spots, and finish detail work by hand. If you’re not sure how often your home needs it, call or text and we’ll give you an honest recommendation.