The 2026 Spring Window Cleaning Checklist for Ontario Homeowners

After five months of salt, lake-effect precipitation, and freeze-thaw cycles, every window in Ontario needs more than a quick wipe-down in April. Here's the full checklist we use on our own spring service routes.

Why spring is the most important window cleaning of the year

Ontario winters deposit three things on exterior glass that regular detergent doesn't remove: road-salt chloride film, mineral-deposit haze from hard water, and organic biofilm (mostly algae and pollen spores) that blooms the first warm week of April. Left in place, all three etch the glass surface. The longer they sit, the harder they become to remove cleanly.

That's why our spring routes fill up faster than any other season — homeowners who book early get their exterior glass treated before the deposits bake in under May sun.

The full spring checklist

Do-it-yourself items (weekend work)

• Walk the perimeter. Look for caulk that's cracked, seals that have pulled away from the frame, or panes that have fogged (a sign the seal has failed).
• Clean the interior glass only. Exterior glass is the professional job; interior is safe DIY. Use a microfibre cloth and a 1:10 vinegar-water mix. No paper towels, no newspaper, no ammonia glass cleaner (leaves film).
• Vacuum the tracks and sills. Winter dust and insect debris collect in both. A brush attachment and a detail brush clear them in seconds.
• Check the weeping holes. At the bottom of each frame there are small holes that drain water away. Clear them with a toothpick if blocked — blocked weeps are the #1 cause of spring water damage in window frames.

Professional items (schedule these)

• Exterior glass cleaning with purified water. This is the single most important spring item. Purified water has zero minerals, so it lifts salt and mineral deposits completely rather than depositing new ones. Standard garden-hose water makes the problem worse.
• Screen removal, cleaning, and reinstallation. Screens collect winter dust and pollen. A professional service removes, washes, dries, and replaces every screen — usually included in an exterior package.
• Storm window glass cleaning. If your home has exterior storms (common in Muskoka, Orillia, and heritage Hamilton/Burlington neighbourhoods), spring is when the interior side of the storm glass needs attention.
• Gutter debris removal. We'll cover gutter timing in a separate post, but the short version: spring gutter cleaning removes the winter-damaged debris that fall cleaning couldn't catch.
• Power washing of driveway and walkways. Road salt and sand, organic staining — all of it comes off cleanly with the right pressure and detergent matched to your surface type (concrete, interlock, natural stone, wood deck).

What to ask a window cleaning company before you book

1. Do you use purified water? (If the answer is "just tap water", move on — you'll have mineral spots by June.)
2. Are you insured and WSIB-certified? Ask for the certificate before the crew arrives. Legitimate companies send it without being asked twice.
3. Are there travel fees? The answer should be no, regardless of location.
4. What's included in a standard residential package? Screens, tracks, sills, and interior-plus-exterior glass should all be standard.
5. Do you guarantee the work? Every legitimate window cleaning company offers a streak-free guarantee with a call-back policy.

Pricing context for Southern Ontario and Muskoka

Residential window cleaning prices across our service area typically land in these ranges:

• Standard two-storey home, 20–30 windows: $169–$389
• Executive home, 30–60 windows: $389–$849
• Lakefront / waterfront property, mineral-deposit removal: add 15–25% for purified-water treatment time
• Heritage home with wood-frame sashes: no premium with a qualified crew

Prices vary by height, window count, and access. The quote should be the invoice — no hidden surcharges, no "we found extra work" upselling.

When to book

Our spring slots fill roughly this way:

• By March 1: Muskoka, Huntsville, Bracebridge cottage opening slots
• By April 1: Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil, Midland residential slots
• By April 15: GTA residential — Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, North York, Ajax & Whitby

If you're outside those windows we'll still fit you in — we add routes for demand — but the earlier you call, the more scheduling flexibility you have.