Understanding Why You Have Dirty Windows: 7 Factors That Affect Their Cleanliness

Having dirty windows in your home can significantly impact the way you feel in this space. But sometimes, even if you carefully clean your windows, they still end up looking grimy, spotty, and gross. You may wonder why, after even the most in-depth window cleaning, they still look drab.

Our team at Vue Window Cleaning wants you to understand all of the factors that affect the cleanliness of your windows and why getting a professional window cleaning is the best solution for your dirty windows. If you are tired of dirty, spotty windows, keep reading to learn why they might still be drab after a do-it-yourself cleaning.

1. The Weather

You have probably heard that weather, like rain and snow, is responsible for making your windows dirty. While your windows may certainly look dirty after a snowstorm or rainstorm, the rain and snow aren’t actually the cause of your dirty windows. What is a more likely cause for this dirt and grime clinging to your windows is the wind.

As the wind kicks up dust and dirt, it becomes airborne and may come in contact with your windows. You may even notice that your windows become dirty significantly quicker during the windier spring months. Over time, this dirt will continue to stick to the glass of your windows, potentially making them look dingy and cloudy

2. Air Pollution

It isn’t just dirt that sticks to the glass of your windows. In fact, if you live in a place that deals with a great deal of air pollution, you may find that you frequently deal with dirty windows. Air pollution consists of any indoor or outdoor environmental, chemical, and physical contaminants that impact air quality.

During the spring months, you may find your windows looking more yellow due to pollen floating through the air. If there is a fire during the summer months, you might notice remnants of ash and dust stuck to them. Throughout every season, air pollution will have a great impact on the appearance of your windows.

3. Window Screens

Window screens are a great way to keep pests and dirt out of your home while enjoying the view and a little bit of fresh air. It is also a great way to protect children and animals from escaping through open windows on higher floors. However, as wonderful as window screens are for your home, they do play a role in dirty windows.

As we mentioned above, rain might not be responsible for making your windows dirty. But, when rain hits a dirty window screen, it causes dirt and grime to stick to the glass of your window. While your screens keep dirt and pests out, after a rainstorm, they may also keep dirt from getting out, leaving you with much dirtier windows even if they are protected.

4. Residue From Cleaning Supplies

If you often deal with dirty windows, you may decide to clean them on your own. However, this may not be quite as helpful as you expect. Many off-the-shelf, consumer-available window cleaners cannot adequately remove residue stuck on your windows, leading to even dirtier windows in the long term.

As the layers of cleaning residue continue to build up, you may find your windows looking grimier and grimier. While we know you mean well, trying to clean your dirty windows yourself may cause more of a headache than if you scheduled with a professional. Professional cleaning solutions, thankfully, can cut through this grime easily, returning your windows to their original, shiny state.

5. Hard Water

If you are trying to rid your home of dirty windows or want to quickly clean them off, you may find yourself reaching for your hose to remove any stuck-on dirt or grime. While this will certainly make an immediate difference, it might not benefit the glass in the long term and might lead to ever dirtier windows than you initially dealt with.

Many homes have hard water, which, after drying on a window, may make them look cloudy. If you have hard water, you should avoid using this water to rinse your windows because it will create more work. You may not know you have hard water, but if you have dry, itchy skin after showers and feel like you have a residue on your hands after washing, it is a clear sign of hard water in your home.

6. Pets And Kids

This one might be more obvious, but a big factor that leads to dirty windows is your pets and kids. This is especially true if your windows are lower to the floor, which sticky fingers and wet noses can come in contact with. Even immediately following a window cleaning, you may find smudges and stains from pets and kids.

If your dirty windows are located near the front of your home, your pets may press their nose against the glass as neighbors walk by or when you come home. Children may get excited by things they see through the window and find themselves touching the surface as they get closer. If you have kids and pets in your home, you can certainly expect to experience regularly dirty windows.

7. Smoke And Grease

When you regularly use your kitchen, you might find smoke and grease sticking to the cabinets and appliances in your home. Your windows are not safe from this smoke and grease. If you love to cook, you can expect that this is going to regularly lead to dirty windows. While this certainly isn’t something you can stop, it is something you should prepare for.

You may also deal with dirty windows if you smoke in your home. Smoking nicotine-based products in your home may leave a yellow grime on your windows while smoking a vape in your home may leave a film on the windows. If you smoke indoors, this film may also attract other dirt, dust, and grime, leaving your windows especially dirty.

Taking Care Of Dirty Windows With Vue Window Cleaning

If you are tired of constantly cleaning your windows, just for them to look dingy and sad immediately after they’ve dried, you should work with a team of professionals to get the best clean possible. With professional products and years of experience, our team at Vue Window Cleaning is confident that they can make your home’s windows crystal clear.

Our team recommends twice-yearly window cleanings to ensure you don’t deal with dirty windows in your home anymore. You may find that you need more frequent cleanings, depending on where you live and the type of windows you have. To find your best window cleaning schedule, you should speak with one of our experienced professionals.

In addition to our window cleaning services, we provide homeowners across the Parker, Colorado, area with window screen repairs, professional holiday light installation, gutter cleaning, and more. If you are interested in scheduling a window cleaning service or would like to speak to a member of our team about the other services we provide, contact us today.