Cleaning your entire house is a huge undertaking. Between the time it takes to vacuum, dust, and mop, it’s not surprising that homeowners often overlook their windows. Add to this the fact that windows can sometimes be high and difficult to reach, and it’s easy to see why more homeowners are turning to professional window cleaners to take care of this chore for them.
Whether you’re cleaning your windows yourself or hiring professionals, there are a few important things you need to know in order to get the job done right. To learn more, we spoke to Joanne Alfaro, an expert who runs the GTA-based window cleaning company Fresh Glance Cleaning Services with her husband Jimmy. During our conversation — summarized below — Joanne broke down how long homeowners should wait between window cleanings, detailed the right tools to use, explained why it’s important to hire the right pros, and more. Keep reading to learn all about window cleaning.
What Is the One Thing Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Window Cleaning?
Image courtesy of Fresh Glance Cleaning Service
According to Joanne, the most important thing to know about window cleaning is that it should be considered a regularly scheduled part of a homeowner’s home maintenance routine. Over time, uncleaned windows become the victims of watermarks and debris, which can cause long-term damage, reduce a home’s curb appeal, and result in the buildup of toxic mold.
How Often Should Homeowners Get Their Windows Cleaned?
Now that you know how important it is to look at window cleaning as an ongoing part of your home maintenance schedule, it’s important to know how regularly your windows should be cleaned. According to Joanne, homeowners should aim to get their windows cleaned twice a year: in spring and fall. Keeping with the tradition of spring cleaning, homeowners should clean both the inside and outside of their windows in spring. Meanwhile, in fall, homeowners can get away with cleaning just the outsides of their windows.
Why Should a Homeowner Hire a Pro to Clean Their Windows?
Image courtesy of Fresh Glance Cleaning Service
While some homeowners prefer to clean their windows themselves, Joanne explains that it’s far safer to hire pros to do the job. Climbing ladders tends to be dangerous, and pros like Joanne and Jimmy have specially designed tools that enable them to clean windows while remaining on the ground. In addition to the right tools, they also have the necessary experience and expertise, allowing them to clean windows thoroughly without scratching them or causing other damage.
What Products Should Homeowners Use When Cleaning Their Windows Themselves?
Although Windex has made a big name for itself as the go-to window cleaning solution, Joanne explains that, contrary to popular belief, the best products to use are simply: water, dish soap, and microfiber cloths. She cautions homeowners against using hot water, which can break the window, but otherwise explains that it’s hard to go wrong if you stick to those three tools.
What Should Homeowners Look For When Hiring a Window Cleaning Pro?
Image courtesy of Fresh Glance Cleaning Service
When it comes to window cleaning services, the old cliche rings true: you get what you pay for. This is why, Joanne explains, it’s important not to hire a window cleaner based on price alone. Much more important than price, she says, is reputation. Joanne stresses the importance of looking at a company’s reviews on HomeStars to verify their trustworthiness and quality of work. She also emphasizes the value of communication. If the homeowner is clear about what type of window cleaning tasks they want to get done, the hiring and cleaning process gets squeaky clean.
Now You Know…
Windows, by their very nature, are meant to be looked through, so it’s not surprising that homeowners don’t spend much time thinking about their facades. Nevertheless, experts like Joanne Alfaro from Fresh Glance Cleaning Services attest that clean windows can improve the overall appearance of a home, prevent long-term damage, and maintain air quality, so it’s vital to attend to them regularly. Give your windows a glance today, and if you think they could use some sprucing up, click here to connect with awesome window cleaning pros in your area.
