"How often should I get my windows cleaned?" is one of the most common questions homeowners ask. The honest answer is that it depends on your home. A house on the beach in Atlantic Beach and a house under the oaks in Mandarin get dirty in different ways and at different speeds.
Here's a simple way to figure out the right schedule for your Jacksonville-area home.
The general rule: at least twice a year
For most homes in Northeast Florida, a good starting point is:
- Exterior windows: about twice a year
- Interior windows: once or twice a year
Exterior glass takes the beating from salt, pollen, rain and bugs, so it usually needs attention more often than the inside. Interior glass mostly collects fingerprints, pet nose prints, cooking film and dust.
When to schedule in Northeast Florida
Timing matters as much as frequency. A popular schedule in our area looks like this:
Late spring (after pollen season)
Pine and oak pollen coats everything in late winter and early spring. Cleaning windows in the middle of pollen season can feel like a waste because they'll be yellow again in days. Once the worst has passed, usually by late April or May, it's a great time for a full inside-and-out cleaning, including screens.
Fall (before the holidays)
By fall, your windows have been through a summer of thunderstorms, humidity and lovebug season. A fall cleaning gets your home looking its best for cooler weather, guests and holiday lights.
Signs your home needs more frequent cleaning
Consider exterior cleanings every three to four months if any of these apply to you:
- You live near the ocean, the Intracoastal or the St. Johns River. Salt and moisture build up faster.
- Your irrigation hits the house. Sprinkler water leaves mineral spots that get harder to remove the longer they sit.
- You're surrounded by trees. More pollen, sap and debris end up on the glass and in the screens.
- You have a pool or lanai. Splash, chlorine and screen enclosures add to the grime.
- Someone in the house has allergies. Clean screens and sills mean less pollen and dust brought indoors.
- You have kids or pets. Interior glass and sliding doors will need more love.
Signs your home can go a bit longer
If your home is well inland, has few trees nearby, your sprinklers don't reach the walls and your windows are mostly shaded under deep eaves, you may be fine with one thorough exterior cleaning a year plus occasional touch-ups.
Don't forget the special occasions
Beyond your regular schedule, many homeowners book a window cleaning:
- Before listing a home for sale or taking listing photos
- After moving in to a new home
- After construction or renovation work
- After a hurricane or big storm
- Before hosting a big family event
Why regular cleaning saves effort
When windows go years without cleaning, salt, minerals and grime can stick to the glass and become very hard to remove, and in some cases they can permanently etch it. Regular cleaning keeps each visit simpler and helps protect your windows over the long run.
Get on a schedule with Emerald's
Emerald's provides residential window cleaning throughout Jacksonville and nearby communities, including St. Augustine, Green Cove Springs, Yulee, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra and Fernandina Beach.
Tell us about your home and we'll suggest a schedule that fits. Call or text 904-902-2002 or request a free quote.