Why Clean Windows This Season?
The Shuswap spring runs a compressed, punishing timeline for windows. By late March, snowmelt and runoff carry road-salt residue, fine silt, and organic matter from surrounding fields and the Salmon River corridor right onto exterior glass — especially on properties near the Trans-Canada or Adams River road. April brings the cottonwood pollen season, which coats surfaces in a sticky film that bonds with morning dew and etches into glass if left through May. Lake-adjacent homes on Shuswap Lake, Mara Lake, and Mabel Lake face an additional challenge: spring wind events kick up mineral-laden lake spray that deposits calcium and silica on exposed glass. Left through summer UV, these deposits begin the etching process that leads to permanent hard water staining. The Shuswap's elevation also means a late, fast spring — freeze-thaw cycles continue well into April, and any water trapped in grime layers on your glass is still expanding and contracting against the surface. Getting a professional clean in April removes the winter layer before UV heat locks it in, and sets your glass up for the longest possible clean window through the summer. For seasonal property owners on Blind Bay, Sorrento, and Scotch Creek, spring is the window between ice-off and your first guests arriving.
What We Do This Season
- Full exterior scrub to remove winter road salt, cottonwood pollen film, and lake-spray mineral deposits
- Interior window clean available as an add-on — ideal after a winter of condensation buildup on older frames
- Screen inspection and cleaning — screens clog with pollen and debris over winter, reducing airflow and trapping dirt
- Track and sill wipe-down to clear the winter's accumulated grit before it grinds against your frames all summer
Pricing
Residential spring cleans start at $169 for exterior-only on smaller homes. Interior + exterior packages available. Screens $4–$5 each. Contact us for a free quote on larger or lakefront properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do spring cleans book up so fast in the Shuswap?
The Shuswap spring is short — it runs roughly six weeks between reliable thaw and the summer dry spell. Most homeowners want their windows done before May long weekend, and there are only so many working days in that window. We typically have a waitlist by the second week of April, so booking in March is the safest move if you want a guaranteed spring slot.
Is interior window cleaning worth it in spring specifically?
Yes — winter creates condensation on interior glass, especially in homes with wood heat or older window seals. That condensation leaves mineral haze and sometimes mould specks on interior sills and glass edges. If you haven't had the interiors done in 12+ months, spring is the best time: you're already opening the house up after winter, and the difference is immediately noticeable when the sun finally hits.
Do you clean windows in light rain or overcast conditions?
Yes. Overcast conditions are actually ideal for window cleaning — direct sun causes cleaning solution to dry before it can be properly removed, leaving streaks. Light rain is fine for exterior work. We only reschedule in heavy rain, high wind, or if overnight temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing, which can happen in the Shuswap into late April.
My windows have a yellowish film from cottonwood pollen. Does that come off?
In most cases, yes — if it was deposited this season. Cottonwood pollen is sticky but not abrasive, so a thorough professional scrub with the right solution removes it cleanly. If the film has been baked on through one or more summers of UV exposure, it may have begun to bond with the glass surface, at which point we assess it on-site and quote accordingly for stain treatment.
Book Your Spring Clean
Serving the Shuswap region from Salmon Arm. Book online or call us.