Why It’s Important to Keep Your Windows Clean in the Summer

The summer has finally come to northern Illiois, with the welcome sun shining down on McHenry, Crystal Lake, Barrington, Woodstock and beyond. It’s at times like this that people’s thoughts naturally turn to beach vacations, picnics in the park, long walks, ice cream and window cleaning. Oh, is it only us who thinks that last one? Well, window cleaning is kind of our job here at Norther Illinois Windows – you can’t blame us!

All jokes aside, the summer is an absolutely brilliant time to get your windows cleaned. This is true for a few big reasons.

Firstly, you have to consider what your windows just went through. The winter – between the cold, the snow and the rain – wasn’t just tough on us, but on our homes too, and you’d better believe it affected your windows.

Things like dirt, grime and salt will have undoubtedly built up over the past few months, and – if left unchecked – these can damage your glass. The same definitely goes for even more harmful substances which also thrive in tough conditions, like algae and mold. Even though everything looks lovely again now in this summer weather, these things still need to be cleaned away professionally – by a company like Northern Illinois Windows – for the long-term health of your windows.

Secondly, clean windows will greatly aid your enjoyment of the summer. Many people like to stay indoors a fair amount in this season, particularly when it gets uncomfortably hot outside. That doesn’t mean you don’t want to benefit from the weather, however, and clean windows help you to do just that. They actually let through significantly more light than their dirtier counterparts, therefore letting the sun inside and helping to make your home a brighter, cheerier place.

Thirdly… clean windows simply look better! That’s not our most scientific reason, we know, but it’s true! Summer is traditionally the season in which folks entertain the most, whether it’s inviting their family over to stay for a few days, or holding a barbecue for their friends. Naturally, you want to ensure your house is looking its absolute best when you do this, and having clean windows is an integral part of that.

So, we think it’s clear that it’s extremely important to have clean windows in the summer. Of course, you can try to do this yourself… but we certainly wouldn’t recommend it. The DIY approach to window cleaning sounds like a good idea, but – without professional-level equipment or training – you stand a significant chance of simply damaging your windows, rather than actually cleaning them.

It’s much quicker, easier and safer to simply hire a professional window cleaning company, like Northern Illinois Windows. We’ve been cleaning windows in places like Cary, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Fox Lake for over 25 years, and we’re known to always achieve great results.

This is traditionally a pretty busy time of year for us, with seemingly everyone in northern Illinois wanting to get their windows cleaned at once, but we’re sure that we’ll still be able to fit you in! To get in touch with us now, in order to discuss your window cleaning needs, or to simply book us in straight away, just send us an email at bill@NIWService.com, or call us on (815) 385-6646.

Are cleaning the gutters and cleaning the windows on your Spring Cleaning To-Do List?

Spring is upon us and we all know what that means – Spring Cleaning! That’s why you’re rousting your husband and the kids from bed early one Saturday morning. That’s why you’ve got a comprehensive To-Do List, with specific duties for each member of the family. But, who will you assign to clean the windows?

Spring cleaning is a way of sweeping the dirt, and stale air out of the house after a winter’s worth of cabin fever. It can leave you feeling fresh and clean. It’s invigorating. It provides a rebirth of energy and optimism. And, cleaning the windows is a critical part of the process.

If the windows aren’t cleaned right – if they have streaks, spots or someone didn’t get all the way into the corners – those half-dirty windows will nag at you every time you look out the window while spoiling your sense that you’ve done a thorough Spring Cleaning. Instead of looking out into the yard at the flowers budding up from the ground, and robins building their nests, you’ll look through the dirt, streaks, and spots that were left behind when your windows were not cleaned properly.

So, you realize the importance of cleaning the windows and cleaning them properly. But, when you bring the subject up, your husband has a problem with the idea.

“Before we clean the windows, we need to clean the gutters.”

When he points out that you have to clean the gutters, you look at your list knowing in advance that cleaning the gutters isn’t there. You show your husband the list and point out that cleaning the gutters isn’t on the list. But, he stubbornly persists: “We have to clean the gutters before we clean the windows.”

Don’t look so surprised; he’s right. The process of cleaning the gutters will result in old leaves, shingle gravel, dirt and what not falling onto the windows. If you clean the windows before you clean the gutters, you’ll just have to clean the outside of the windows all over again.

You ask the logical question: “Why don’t we skip cleaning the gutters for now” and your husband has an answer to that question, too.

“If we don’t clean the gutters, rainwater will back up and come over the edges of the gutters rather than going into the downspouts. Then, the windows will get dirty anyhow.”

Now you're stuck with two dilemmas: 1. Who can clean the gutters without falling off a ladder and, 2. Who can clean the windows properly, so they don’t spoil all your and family’s efforts with Spring Cleaning? Maybe it’s better to call in professionals for the windows and gutters so the jobs are done safely and they’re cleaned right. You and the family have enough Spring Cleaning to do anyway.