For as simple as they seem at first glance, it is often challenging to get windows clean without streaks, stray smudges and other minor imperfections. It truly does take the right glass cleaning products and a fair amount of skill or experience to get office windows impeccably clean.

To get a better understanding of how to get your office windows professional clean and keep them that way, we will need to take a closer look at how the professionals do it.

Right off the bat, let’s be clear here that we are talking about the interior of office windows and the exterior of an office building that you can reasonably reach with a step ladder. When it comes to the exterior windows of a high-rise office building, you truly should leave it to the professionals who have access to things like hydraulic lifts and OSHA approved safety equipment.

How Much Money Can I Save Cleaning Windows Myself?

You might be wondering what kind of cost savings you might get from cleaning your office windows yourself as opposed to hiring a professional. The ballpark estimate here is that the average large office window will cost between $2 to $4 to clean the inside and around $2 to $4 to clean the outside. You can then factor this against the time it takes out of your normal business day.

How Often Do Office Windows Need To Be Cleaned?

When it comes to your entryway windows and the windows in your reception area cleaning them every few days will go a long way toward impressing your clients and guests. Other interior office windows will need a thorough cleaning every week or two.

Though exterior office windows might need to be cleaned more often during certain times of the year. Dust from dry summer weather or pollen in the spring can certainly cling to office windows giving them an ugly, unprofessional appearance. This is especially true for windows that face toward the main road or that are clearly visible to clients and guests who visit your office space.

Many property managers will schedule monthly or quarterly deep cleaning for the exterior of a commercial property, which includes basic cleanup and maintenance as well as cleaning large exterior windows. It’s also a good idea in the fall before the snow flies as well as again in the spring once warm weather returns.

Can Office Windows Be Cleaned During The Winter?

Exterior windows should not be cleaned when the temperatures are below freezing. The thermal shock of applying warm glass cleaner can even cause cracking. Not to mention the potential for cold weather to cause the cleaning solution to freeze on the window before you get a chance to properly clean it. You also have to consider that ladders can be incredibly dangerous in snowy or icy conditions.

The interior of a double paned window or a thermal glass window can be cleaned in the winter. Though it’s still best to do so during the warmest part of the day. Especially if the outdoor temperatures dip below zero.

Can You Wash Windows With Windshield Washer Fluid?

Most office windows are very large, and thus take a great deal of glass cleaner to both loosen dirt and dust as well as polish the glass to a streak-free sheen. So, it might even seem to make sense that you could save some money using an inexpensive bulk cleaning solution like windshield washer fluid.

Yet when you stop to think about it, how often does windshield washer fluid actually make your windshield look good? Using it to clean your office windows will give you the same steaky, unkempt look that you get on your windshield when you drive down a dusty road.

Instead it truly is best to use a high-quality glass cleaner just like professional window washers do. This makes it easier to clean the windows quickly without all the frustrating streaks you get from a lesser cleaning solution like windshield washer fluid.

Can I Pressure Wash My Exterior Windows?

Pressure washers tend to be a great tool for cleaning the exterior of buildings. They are great for removing stuck on gum and bird waste from sidewalks as well as taking old paint off of buildings. Though turning them toward an office building’s windows is not a good idea. While the pressurized spray might help remove stuck-on grime in an instant, it can also damage window components like weather stripping and seals.

How Do I Remove Hard Water Stains From Exterior Windows?

Hard water is a problem for a lot of commercial building exteriors. Poorly aimed sprinklers can compound this problem by leaving hard water stains on bricks, mortar, windows and other exterior surfaces.

To effectively remove hard water stains like this, it’s best to use a professional strength acid-based cleaner. Afterward, you might want to speak with the property manager to see if the sprinklers can be tuned to avoid contact with the building and office windows.

Do I Need Any Special Equipment To Clean Office Windows?

Most professional window cleaners use a commercial grade squeegee to clean exterior office windows. You can then use a professional glass cleaning solution, or make your own from a few drops of dishwashing detergent in distilled water. Adding a small amount of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol will also help the windows to dry quickly on humid days.

How To Clean Office Windows

It’s best to take a methodical approach to cleaning office windows. You can use the following steps to clean office windows as needed during the warmer months of the year.

  • Step 1: Use a hand broom or exterior duster to remove cobwebs and loose dirt.
  • Step 2: Carefully wet the windows with a spray bottle or you can use a water pole system for higher windows.
  • Step 3: Use a high-quality squeegee to wipe the window clean using long overlapping strokes. Pay particular attention to edges and corners.
  • Step 4: Use a natural sponge to carefully wipe the blade after each stroke to reduce the risk of streaking.