Why We Clean Windows in the Rain (And Why You Should Too)
Living in Portland means one thing is guaranteed: Rain.
As a professional window cleaner, the number one objection I hear from neighbors is, "Max, it’s raining today. Shouldn't we reschedule for July?"
I get it. It seems logical. Why wash your car in a rainstorm? But here is the secret that the window cleaning industry knows, but homeowners usually don't:
Rain does not make windows dirty. Dirt makes windows dirty.
If you wait for the sun to come out in Portland, you will be looking through dirty glass for 9 months of the year. Here is the science behind why we clean year-round, and why your windows will actually stay cleaner if you wash them during the wet season.
The Science: It’s All About the Dust
Rainwater is nearly pure, distilled water. It has very low mineral content (TDS). When pure rainwater hits a clean piece of glass, it simply sheets off or beads up and dries clear.
So, where do the spots come from? The "rain spots" you see on your windows are not from the rain itself. They are from the dust, pollen, and screen debris that was already sitting on your glass.
Dust settles on your dry window.
Rain hits the dust and turns it into liquid mud.
The water evaporates, leaving the mud behind as a "spot."
The Fix: If we remove the dust, pollen, and bird droppings, the rain has nothing to stick to. When it rains on a professionally cleaned window, the water hits the glass and slides right off, leaving the view perfectly clear.
The "Western" Advantage: Rain Armor
Because I’m building this business in the Pacific Northwest, I don’t just clean the glass; I weather-proof it.
We offer a Rain Armor Hydrophobic Sealant (similar to a ceramic wax for your car windshield). This fills in the microscopic pores of the glass. When it rains, the water beads up instantly and rolls off, taking fresh dust with it. This actually makes the rain clean your windows for you between our visits.
Don't Wait for July
If you wait until summer to clean your windows, you are choosing to live in a dark, spotted house during the gloomiest months of the year—right when you need the natural light the most.
Let the light in now.
