Guide
Window cleaning in Quebec: the practical guide
Pollen, road salt, road dust, cobwebs: our windows go through a lot. Here's how to keep them clear, how often, and what separates a quick wipe from a real cleaning.
How often to clean windows in Quebec
For most houses, once or twice a year is enough:
- In spring, once the snow is gone and the pollen has fallen, to remove the traces of winter.
- In fall, before the cold, to enjoy all the light during the dark months.
A house near a busy road, a construction site or a field, or surrounded by conifers, often benefits from doing both.
What dirties windows, season by season
| Season | What settles |
|---|---|
| Winter | Road salt and de-icer thrown up from the road, melted snow marks |
| Spring | Dust from the snowmelt, then pollen (yellow conifer pollen in late spring) |
| Summer | Dust, insects, cobwebs, sap under trees |
| Fall | Leaf residue, rain loaded with dust |
Squeegee or pure water: the two methods
The squeegee
The classic method: a scrubber with a mild soapy solution, then a squeegee that removes the water in a single pass. Done well, it gives a perfect finish. It requires reaching the glass, so often a ladder for the second storey.
The pure-water pole
Filtered water, stripped of its minerals, is sent through a telescopic pole fitted with a brush. Since pure water contains nothing that can be left behind, it dries without streaks. It lets you clean second-storey windows from the ground, frames included.
Cleaning them yourself: the right technique
- Pick an overcast day. In full sun, the water dries too fast and leaves marks.
- Start with the frames and sills, or they'll dirty the glass when you rinse.
- Use little soap: too much product leaves a film.
- Pull the squeegee from top to bottom, wiping the blade after each pass.
- Finish the edges with a dry microfibre cloth.
For the second storey, never lean out of the window and avoid the ladder if you're not comfortable. That's often where a professional is worth the price.
Screens, frames and sills
Screens hold dust and pollen, which fall back onto the glass with every rain. Remove them, wash them in lukewarm water with a soft brush, rinse and let them dry before putting them back. While you're at it, check the weep holes at the bottom of the frames: when clogged, they hold water.
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