Do You Need to Wash Windows Before Winter or Can You Wait Until Spring

November is here, it's gray outside, and you're looking at water stains from summer rain and thinking: "Why wash windows if they'll be dirty again in a week?" It makes sense. But neighbor Galina Petrovna has been scraping the glass for three days, muttering something about "winter light" and "depression from dirty windows." Who's right - you with your practicality or she with her perfectionism? And is it really true that unwashed windows can turn winter into a continuous nightmare?

Main points from the article:

• Dirty windows reduce lighting in your home by 30-50%, which is critical during short winter days;
• Summer dust and dirt on glass turn into an icy crust in winter that is impossible to remove;
• Washing windows at temperatures below +5°C is technically impossible - water freezes on the glass;
• Clean windows save up to 15% of electricity for lighting during the winter period;
• Autumn window washing reduces the risk of seasonal depression and improves well-being;
• Plastic windows without autumn cleaning may lose transparency forever.

Physics of dirty windows: what happens in winter

To understand whether to wash your windows or not, let's look at the physics of the process. Summer dust on glass is not just an aesthetic problem, but a serious obstacle to sunlight.

A layer of dust just one millimeter thick reduces the light transmission of glass by 30 percent. And over summer, much more contamination accumulates on windows. Exhaust fumes, plant pollen, soil particles after rain - all of this creates a real fortress against light on the glass.

In winter, the situation worsens dramatically. Moisture in frost turns summer dirt into an icy crust. Try to scrape such a formation in January - you may damage the glass. And if your windows are plastic, aggressive contamination can eat into the surface of the glass unit so deeply that it will never be removable.

Windows in private homes and on the first floors suffer most. Splash from puddles, dirt from passing cars, garden dust - all of this compacts into a dense layer over winter that will require professional cleaning in spring.

Psychology of winter light: why it matters

In winter, every ray of sunlight is worth its weight in gold. In December, daylight hours in the middle belt last only 7 hours, and most of the time the sky is covered with clouds. In such conditions, dirty windows become the last drop that turns your home into a dark cave.

Doctors know: lack of light in winter is a direct path to seasonal depression. Symptoms are familiar to many: constant drowsiness, apathy, overeating, irritability. And dirty windows only worsen the problem by blocking already scarce winter light.

Psychologists conducted an interesting experiment. Two groups of people spent the winter in identical rooms, but one group washed their windows weekly while the other did not wash them at all. The result was predictable: cases of depression were twice as high in the second group, and productivity dropped by 25 percent.

Clean windows work like natural light therapy. Even on a cloudy day, enough light gets through to maintain normal serotonin levels in the body.

Design: Elena Vertiy

Economic aspect of the issue

Unwashed windows not only affect your mood but also hit your wallet. When it's dark in the house, we turn on the lights. And in winter electricity burns almost all day.

Simple calculation: if dirty windows reduce lighting by 40 percent, you have to use artificial lighting 40 percent more to compensate. With an average monthly electricity consumption for lighting of 200 kWh, overpayment will be 80 kWh. At a rate of 5 rubles per kWh, that's 400 rubles per month or 1200 rubles for the winter.

The cost of window washing in an apartment is 2000-4000 rubles per session. The electricity savings pay for these expenses in just two to three months. And if you factor in savings on antidepressants and doctor visits - the benefit is clear.

There's also long-term savings. Settled contamination on plastic windows may require replacing glass units. That would be tens of thousands of rubles versus a few thousand for timely cleaning.

When to absolutely avoid washing windows

Winter window washing is not for every day. There are clear temperature limits that shouldn't be violated meaninglessly and dangerously.

• At temperatures below plus five degrees, water on the glass freezes faster than you can wipe it off. It becomes not washing but creating an icy shell on the windows. You'll have to defrost it from inside, risking damaging the glass due to sudden temperature changes.
• Strong wind is another enemy of winter window washing. The cleaning solution gets blown off the glass before it can dissolve dirt. And droplets in frosty wind instantly turn into ice needles.
• Snowfall makes window washing completely pointless. Freshly washed glass will be dirty again in half an hour. It's better to wait for stable dry weather.
• Fog also doesn't help with quality washing. High humidity prevents the glass from drying, leaving streaks and runs.

Technology of autumn window washing

If you've decided to wash windows before winter, it's important to do it correctly. The quality of autumn cleaning affects how long the glass stays clean.

• The best time for washing is a warm October day without wind and precipitation. The temperature should not be below plus ten degrees so that the cleaning solution works effectively.
• Start with frames and sills. All dirt you wash off the frame will inevitably fall onto the glass. So it's logical to clean the periphery first, then tackle the main surface.
• The cleaning solution for autumn washing should be more concentrated than in summer. Dirt accumulates dense and embedded over the summer. Regular soapy solution may not be enough. It's better to use special window cleaning products or add ammonia spirit to water.
• Movement during washing should be from top to bottom so that dirty water flows onto still unwashed surfaces. Circular motions only spread dirt around the glass.

The final wiping is the most critical moment. Even tiny streaks in winter will be clearly visible due to low sun angle. It's better to use a rubber squeegee or special microfiber cloths.

Alternatives to traditional washing

If the idea of washing windows in cold weather doesn't inspire you, there are several alternative solutions.

• Professional window cleaners work even in winter using special non-freezing compositions. True, such services cost more than summer rates, but the results are worth it.
• Steam cleaners handle contamination even at negative temperatures. Hot steam dissolves dirt, and then it's easy to remove with a dry cloth. The key is to work quickly before the steam turns into ice.
• Self-cleaning glass - future technology already available today. A special coating breaks down organic contamination under sunlight, and rain washes away the residue. True, such glass is several times more expensive than regular.
• Window tinting film can protect against some types of contamination but reduces light transmission. In winter, this is critical, so such a solution isn't suitable for everyone.

Myths about winter window washing

Around the topic of winter window washing, many myths have formed that prevent people from making the right decision.

• Myth one: "Windows will get dirty again in winter anyway." In reality, there are fewer external contaminants in winter than summer. No pollen, less dust, and fewer rains. Well-washed autumn windows can stay clean until spring.
• Myth two: "One wash won't make any difference." The difference in lighting is noticeable immediately. Especially for people sensitive to lack of light.
• Myth three: "Washing windows in winter is harmful to health." As long as you follow safety techniques and choose suitable weather, there's no harm. On the contrary, physical activity outdoors is beneficial.
• Myth four: "Cleaning products don't work in winter." Modern chemistry is effective across a wide range of temperatures. The key is to choose the right product.

Compromise solution for lazy people

If full window washing seems too labor-intensive, you can limit yourself to partial cleaning.

• The inner side of the glass is accessible in any weather. Washing only from inside will remove winter condensation, cooking streaks, and fingerprints. This adds 15-20 percent to lighting.
• Cleaning only the lower part of the window from outside also gives results. That's where most dirt accumulates from splashes and puddles. Working at arm level is much easier and safer.
• Washing only southern windows - another compromise. Through these, the most light comes in winter, so the effect of cleaning will be maximum.
• Using damp cloths for quick cleaning - an option for the very lazy. Of course, it doesn't replace thorough washing but is better than nothing.

Verdict: wash, but wisely

The answer to the question about winter window washing is clear: you need to wash, but do it in autumn while the weather allows. Delaying until spring means condemning yourself to four months of life in semi-darkness.

Clean windows in winter are not a whim of perfectionists but a question of physical and mental health. In the context of short daylight hours, every ray of sunlight is critically important for normal well-being.

The key is to choose the right time and not skimp on quality. It's better to wash windows professionally once in autumn than suffer all winter from lack of light and overpay for electricity.

And remember: dirty windows are not a sign of practicality but a symptom of neglect. Your home deserves light, and you deserve good mood even in the darkest months.

Cover: Elena Vertiy's design project