Most Ottawa homes should have their exterior windows cleaned once or twice a year and interior windows once or twice a year. Storefronts and offices need much more frequent cleaning, often weekly or bi-weekly. Here's how to decide what's right for you.
What makes Ottawa windows dirty
- Road spray and salt. Winter slush and salt from nearby roads leave a grey film on ground-floor windows.
- Pollen. In May and June, tree pollen coats glass, screens, and sills in yellow dust.
- River moisture and insects. Homes near the Ottawa or Rideau River see more spider webs, mayflies, and water spotting.
- Condensation. In winter, warm indoor air meets cold glass, leaving streaks and mineral spots on the inside.
Recommended schedule for homes
Exterior: once or twice a year
- Spring (late April–June): the most important clean, removing winter grime and early pollen.
- Fall (September–October), optional: clears summer dust and bugs before the low winter sun shows every streak.
Exterior cleaning in Ottawa stops once temperatures stay below freezing, because water freezes on the glass.
Interior: once or twice a year
Interior window cleaning can happen any time of year, and winter is actually a great time to book, since you're indoors more and condensation builds up. Include sills and tracks: they collect dust, dead insects, and moisture that can lead to mould.
Screens and tracks
Wash screens at least once a year when exterior windows are cleaned. Vacuum tracks at the same time. It helps windows slide and seal better too.
When to clean more often
- You live on a busy road such as Hazeldean, Innes, Merivale, or Bank Street
- You live near the river in Orléans, Rothwell Heights, or Manotick
- You're selling your home: clean windows make listing photos and showings noticeably brighter
- You have allergies: pollen on screens and sills blows back indoors
Storefronts and offices
For businesses, the front door and display glass are the first thing customers see. Most storefronts need weekly or bi-weekly exterior glass cleaning, and offices typically book monthly or quarterly service. Recurring schedules keep costs predictable.
Why hire a professional?
Second-storey windows are the main reason. Professionals use purified water-fed poles to clean upper windows from the ground, which is safer than a ladder and leaves no mineral spots. You also get screens, frames, sills, and tracks done at the same time.
AV Group provides interior and exterior window cleaning in Ottawa, including Kanata and Ottawa East & Orléans. Book it with power washing to refresh your whole exterior at once.