Why Fall Is a Smart Time to Clean Your Windows

What summer leaves on your windows

By October, most windows are carrying a full season of buildup: tree pollen and cottonwood fluff from late spring, dust from open windows and yard work, bug residue around porch lights, and water spots from sprinklers or hoses that hit the glass all summer.

Much of this is easy to miss in bright summer light. It becomes obvious in fall, when the sun sits lower in the sky and shines straight through the glass. That low angle shows every streak, film and spot, which is also why it's a good time to see what actually needs attention.

Why autumn works better than waiting for spring

Chicago winters are long and gray, and daylight is short from November through February. Clean glass lets in noticeably more of the light you do get, and you'll be looking through those windows from the inside for months.

Fall weather is also easier on the job itself. Mild temperatures and lower humidity let glass dry evenly, and there's no risk of cleaning solution freezing on the pane the way it can in December or January. Once hard freezes arrive, exterior window cleaning gets harder to schedule around the weather.

There's a practical reason, too. Hard water spots and grime that sit on glass through a winter of road salt spray, snowmelt and freeze-thaw cycles are harder to remove in spring. Clearing them in fall keeps the glass from building up layer after layer.

Screens, tracks and storm windows

Fall is the natural time to deal with screens. Many homeowners take screens down or swap to storm panels for winter, and washing them before storage means they go back up clean in spring. Our screen cleaning includes removal, washing and reinstallation, and if a screen is torn or bent, replacement starts at $25 per screen.

Window tracks and sills collect dead bugs, leaves and dirt over the summer. Cleaning them before the windows stay shut for the season helps them slide and seal properly. Our detailing window cleaning covers frames, sills and tracks along with the glass.

If your home has storm windows, the gap between the storm and the main window often collects dust and insects that you can't reach from either side. Storm window cleaning involves taking the units apart so both inner surfaces get cleaned, and fall is the last good chance to do it before the panels are closed up for winter.

What to do yourself and when to call a pro

Ground-floor windows with easy access are a reasonable DIY job on a calm, overcast day. Avoid washing in direct sun, which dries the solution before you can squeegee it off and leaves streaks.

Second-story windows are a different story. Ladders get riskier on wet leaves and cold, uneven ground, and fall is when a lot of homeowners are already up on ladders for gutters and holiday lights. A professional crew brings the right equipment, and we use purified water systems that dry without leaving mineral spots, which matters with the Chicago area's hard tap water.

If you see cloudy white spots that don't come off with a normal wash, that's usually mineral buildup. Hard water stain removal is a separate specialty service, so mention it when you ask for a quote.

Bundle it with other fall work

Fall is busy for exterior maintenance: gutter cleaning, a final house wash, putting up holiday lights. If you're planning a house wash, booking it together with window cleaning gets you 50% off the exterior window cleaning, since the crew is already on site.

First-time customers get 25% off their first service, and Home Care Club members save 15–20% with an annual plan that can include a fall window cleaning every year.

Get a free quote before the cold sets in

Our residential window cleaning starts at $149, and the final price depends on how many windows you have, how high they are, and whether you want screens, tracks and storm windows included. We'll give you a clear number before any work begins.

EcoTouch Service cleans windows across Chicago and the suburbs, from our Crystal Lake base in McHenry County to the North Shore and western suburbs. Request a free quote and we'll help you get the glass clear before winter.