How often should you clean your windows in northern Illinois?
The short answer: twice a year, in spring and fall, suits most homes in Lake County and the North Shore. Homes under mature trees, beside open fields, near the lake or exposed to lawn sprinklers often benefit from a third cleaning in early summer.
Why clean in spring
Northern Illinois winters are hard on glass. From November through March, road salt, slush spray and grime settle on exterior windows, and the low winter sun makes that film more noticeable. By April, most homes have a gray haze on the street-facing side.
A spring cleaning removes that buildup before you open the windows for the season. It is also the right time to wash screens, which collect dust and pollen throughout the winter.
Why clean in fall
Summer brings a different kind of buildup: pollen, dust, cottonwood fluff, insect spots and sprinkler overspray. Left in place through the winter, it becomes harder to remove.
A fall cleaning, ideally in September or October, clears the glass while the weather still allows exterior work. Because the low winter sun reveals every streak, it pays to enter November with clean windows.
Homes that benefit from a third cleaning
Some homes collect dirt faster than others. If any of the following describe your home, an additional cleaning in early summer is usually worthwhile:
- Mature trees over the house. Sap, pollen and seeds settle on the glass and fill the tracks. Older streets in Libertyville, Lake Forest and Highland Park are common examples.
- Open fields or prairie nearby. Wind carries dust and pollen across open ground. Homes backing onto fields in Grayslake and the communities to the north see this most.
- Sprinklers that reach the glass. Each watering leaves a thin mineral layer behind. Over time, the spots can permanently etch the glass.
- Homes near the lake. Damp air off the water leaves a film on lake-facing windows.
What about interior glass?
Interior glass stays cleaner because it is protected from the weather. For most homes, once a year is sufficient, typically alongside the spring cleaning. Households with young children, pets that enjoy the view, or frequent cooking near kitchen windows may prefer twice a year.
A practical schedule for most homes: exterior glass in spring and fall, interior glass once a year in spring, with screens, sills and tracks cleaned each time.
Signs your windows are due
- Streaks or haze visible when the sun is low
- White spots on lower windows near the lawn
- Windows that stick or grind when opened, a sign the tracks are full of grit
- Screens that leave a line of dust on your fingertip
For a price for your home, request a free quote, or review everything included in a Lucid window cleaning.