The right window cleaning schedule in Metro Detroit is not the same as in Phoenix or Seattle. Our glass deals with road salt spray in winter, heavy pollen and cottonwood in late spring, lake haze near St. Clair and constant construction dust as neighborhoods rebuild. Here is how we set schedules for homes and commercial buildings, and why.
The baseline for most homes: spring and fall
For a typical single-family home, two full cleanings a year keeps glass clear and protects frames and seals. Spring removes winter salt film and grime once overnight temperatures stay above freezing, usually from mid April. Fall removes pollen, dust and insect residue before the gray months, ideally in October before leaves and gutter work take over.
- Spring visit: mid April to late May, inside and out, screens and tracks.
- Fall visit: late September to early November, often paired with gutter cleaning.
- Optional summer exterior visit for homes with pools, lakefront glass or heavy tree cover.
When to clean more often
Some homes need a third or even fourth visit. Houses on busy roads like Woodward, Telegraph or Jefferson collect road film quickly. Lakefront homes in Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores see haze from wind off the water. Homes near new construction pick up fine dust that bakes onto glass in summer heat.
- Within a few blocks of a major road or highway.
- Lakefront or riverfront exposure.
- Active construction within a quarter mile.
- Large south or west facing glass that shows every spot in low sun.
Clean glass is not only about the view. Grit left on glass for years slowly scratches it every time wind or rain moves it across the surface.
Commercial buildings
Storefronts are the most visible glass in any business, and most retail and restaurant clients clean them weekly or every two weeks. Office buildings usually clean exterior glass two to four times a year, with entries and lobby glass monthly. Hospitals, hotels and flagship retail often move to monthly programs because first impressions and tenant expectations are higher.
Winter cleaning in Michigan
Exterior cleaning below freezing is possible with the right additives and pure water systems, but results are less reliable and ladder work is riskier on icy ground. We schedule most residential exterior work between April and November. Commercial storefronts continue through winter because salt spray makes them need it most, and interior glass can be cleaned any month.
Signs you are overdue
- A gray or hazy look in morning or evening sun.
- White mineral spots near sprinklers or downspouts.
- Screens that leave dark streaks after rain.
- Sliding doors and windows that stick in their tracks.
If you are not sure where your home falls, our instant estimator gives a price for a single visit and a recurring spring and fall plan, which saves 12 percent. Crews book in 2-hour arrival windows so you are not waiting all day.
