How often should you clean your windows in Iowa?

Most window cleaning articles will tell you "twice a year" and call it a day. That's roughly right, but Iowa weather has a few quirks that shift the timing.

The short answer

For most homes in the Des Moines metro, two cleanings a year is the sweet spot: one in spring (after the pollen drops) and one in fall (before the first snow). That schedule keeps glass clear when it matters and minimizes how much grime builds up.

Why Iowa is a little different

• Pollen and cottonwood fluff in May–June coat exterior glass within days. Cleaning before pollen drops is a waste.
• Cornfield dust in summer travels farther than people think. Homes within a mile of farmland get noticeably hazier July–August.
• Road salt and slush spray in winter cake the inside of frames and the bottom 18 inches of first-floor glass.
• Hail and storms kick up debris that bonds to glass with the next round of rain.

A seasonal cheat sheet

• March–May: First clean of the year, but wait until after the cottonwood drops in your specific neighborhood.
• September–October: Second clean, before leaves start packing into the tracks.
• Quarterly if: you have pets indoors, you're near a gravel road or new construction, or you have allergies and want screens kept clean.

Inside vs. outside

The outside gets dirtier faster, but the inside is what makes a view look hazy. If you're only going to do one, do both, half the dirt is on each side.

When to call us

We're usually out the next day for quotes across the Des Moines metro. If you want to get on a recurring spring + fall rotation, let us know and we'll auto-schedule it.