Can windows be cleaned in the rain or cold?

Yes, windows can usually be cleaned in light rain, and a pure water clean done just before a shower will normally still look good once the glass dries. Cold weather on its own is fine too. The real limit is hard frost, when water can freeze on the glass and on the paths below.

As the evenings draw in, this is one of the questions we hear most from customers on regular rounds, so here is the straight answer.

Why light rain does not ruin a clean

Most of the marks people blame on rain come from dirt that was already there. When rain hits a window that has been cleaned with a squeegee and soap, it can pick up dirt left on the frames and sills and run it down the glass. That is what leaves the streaks and spots.

We clean with a water-fed pole and deionised water, which has had the minerals taken out. The frames and sills are washed at the same time as the glass on every visit. With the dirt gone from the surrounding surfaces, there is far less for rain to carry back onto the window.

When we would rather wait

• Heavy, wind-driven rain, where it is hard to see the glass properly while working
• Strong winds, which make a long pole hard to control near glass and gutters
• Storms or lightning, when no one should be holding a long carbon pole outside

In those conditions the clean moves to the next suitable day.

What about the cold?

A cold, dry day is fine for window cleaning. The issue is temperatures at or below freezing. Water used on the glass can freeze before it dries, which leaves an icy film on the window and creates a slip risk on paths, steps and drives. For that reason, cleaning in hard frost is usually put back to a milder day.

Short daylight hours matter as well. Rounds in December and January have less working light, so visits may be shifted a little to fit the day.

Do windows get dirtier in winter?

They often look dirtier, for a few reasons:

• Low winter sun shines straight through the glass and shows up every mark
• Road spray and traffic film build up faster on wet roads
• Condensation on the inside leaves its own marks as it dries
• Leaves and debris from trees blow onto sills and frames

Properties close to main roads, such as homes along the A4 between Bristol and Bath, tend to notice this most.

Should you pause your window round over winter?

That is up to you. Our rounds have no contract, so you can pause, change the frequency or stop at any time, just let us know before your next visit. Many customers keep going through winter because the low sun makes dirty glass more obvious, and because keeping frames and sills clean stops grime building up for spring.

If you are not sure what frequency suits your home, a four to eight week cycle covers most properties. Exposed homes and those on busy roads usually suit the shorter end.

What about solar panels and roof windows?

The same pure water method is used for solar panel cleaning, and the same limits apply: no work in freezing conditions, and nothing done from the roof itself. If you have panels as well as windows, you can have both cleaned in one visit. Our post on cleaning solar panels in winter explains what to do about frost and snow on panels.

Book your window cleaning

We run regular window cleaning rounds for homes and businesses in Keynsham, Bristol and Bath, with frames and sills included every visit. You do not need to be home as long as we can reach the windows. Send us your postcode or call Tom on 0117 279 0045 for a free quote.