image of a blue storefront in france

How Clean Office Windows Helps You Attract More Customers

Have you ever walked into a store or restaurant and noticed how hazy the windows are? You couldn’t walk out of there fast enough, could you?

Streaky windows, smudged glass, and layers of dust aren’t exactly the best way to welcome customers into any business, not just yours. Let’s face it, dirty windows make even the most well-lit storefront look dull and uninviting on the outside. No one dares even enter your space.

They obstruct natural light, hinder visibility, and give a negative first impression to first-time customers. So if you’re wondering if cleaning storefront windows is important, they are. We delve more into it, in this guide.

Clean office windows offer a surprising array of benefits that can positively affect your business’s bottom line. 

Much like how dirty floors cost your business money, so do clean windows. So here are the benefits that will bring you in the Gs:

 

Better natural lighting

Clean windows flood any storefront or office space with sunshine. It brings about a more inviting and cheerful environment, but can also save you hidden costs from using artificial lighting. 

Yes, you read that right. Clean windows lead to energy savings for your business or facility. 

Beyond economic savings, several anecdotal evidence and studies have also touted the benefits of natural light and how it leads to higher employee morale, productivity, and even increased levels of creativity

 

Enhanced aesthetics

Just like a well-dressed employee, a clean storefront exudes professionalism and attention to detail. Sparkling windows tell customers that you’re serious, not just about your business, but their impression of it. 

It tells them that you take pride in its appearance, which also builds trust and encourages them to choose you above your competitor.

 

Healthier indoor environment

Dirty windows are hotbeds for pollutants like particulate matter, VOCs, allergens, and dust. Prolonged exposure to these has been linked to an increase in asthma and allergy cases and in most parts of the world, has become a critical health issue.

You wouldn’t want your visitors getting sick just because of dirty storefronts now, wouldn’t you? This is why you should invest in cleaning your windows. Regularly doing so removes such irritants and makes your space more comfortable and hygienic for clients and staff.

 

Better visibility

The most obvious, but underrated benefit of clean windows is that they offer optimal visibility, both inside and out. 

If you want to attract more customers to your storefront, get cleaning! It’s a must for retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses that rely on window displays to attract potential customers to their doors. 

If you can’t remember the last time you saw smudged windows on a storefront and thought “I want to take a look at what’s inside”, then neither do your customers.

How often should storefront windows be cleaned?

person wearing yellow gloves holding a squeegee

The frequency by which you should clean your storefront’s windows depends on several factors:

  • Location: If your place is situated in a busy urban area with high pollution or frequent dust storms, your windows will likely need more frequent cleaning than a business inside a mall or a quieter suburban area.

  • Foot traffic: Businesses or facilities that experience high foot traffic, like restaurants, retail stores, daycare facilities, or public places (government buildings), need windows cleaned more often than those with less traffic.|

  • Weather conditions: Rain, snow, and other weather elements can leave behind dirt and grime on windows and require more frequent cleaning.

  • Business type: Restaurants and healthcare facilities have much stricter hygiene standards and need window cleaning much more often.

As a general rule of thumb, aim to clean your storefront windows at least twice a month to maintain a clean and inviting appearance. 

But as mentioned, this is just a guide and you’ll need to do the cleaning much more frequently or less, depending on these above-mentioned factors.

If you notice your windows looking dirtier or streakier than before the recommended time frame, don’t hesitate to pick up a squeegee. 

What happens to your office windows when you don’t clean them professionally?

In most cases, you’ll survive with DIY window cleaning. But as your business scales and your staff needs to dedicate more time to core activities, it’s easy to neglect this aspect of your place.

What happens when you don’t clean your windows, much less, hire professional window cleaning services? A cascade of problems like permanent damage, safety concerns, or poor first impressions will ultimately cost you more in the long run.

 

Permanent damage

Neglecting window cleaning allows dirt, debris, and hard water stains to build on, leading to etching and scratching of the glass surface.

This means your windows will have a permanently hazy or cloudy appearance which is irreversible. 

Additionally, abrasive particles in dirt and debris can scratch the surface, further reducing the clarity and structural integrity. These blemishes can become so severe that the only solution is a costly and hefty window replacement.

 

Safety hazards

Changing gears a little bit here. What happens if you do clean your windows, but don’t invest in professional services? Safety hazards, that’s what.

Cleaning high windows or glass surfaces in hard-to-reach areas can be dangerous without proper equipment. Many office cleaning companies invest in telescopic poles, ladders, safety harnesses, and other specialized safety tools to clean windows. 

Without these, attempting to get a staff member or yourself to clean high windows could lead to legal liabilities, or worse— falls, injuries, and fatalities.

Don’t risk anyone’s safety. Leave the window cleaning to the professionals.

 

Energy inefficiency

Dirty windows obstruct natural lighting and reduce insulation, forcing you to rely more on artificial lighting. This increases energy consumption and drives up your storefront’s electricity bills.

So unless you’re operating a bar or nightclub that relies on dark, brooding rooms for the aesthetic, clean your windows. 

The grime and dirt on them could also compromise their insulation properties. This means in colder months, the heat escapes more easily and vice-versa for warmer months. 

Your HVAC system will need to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.

 

Negative first impression

Many studies have correlated the cleanliness of a storefront to the likelihood of a customer perceiving it as trustworthy or reliable — this is no different from your case. 

Dirty windows lead to the perception that everything else in your building is dirty leading to a negative image. It deters potential customers and impacts their perception of your products or services.

Clean windows, on the other hand, signal professionalism and attention to detail. It invites outsiders to peek inside, piques their interest, and makes them want to visit.

 

Health concerns

As we previously mentioned, dirty windows aren’t just an aesthetic nuisance— they can also pose health risks. Don’t procrastinate window cleaning, even for just a few weeks because it can have dire consequences on indoor air quality and the overall hygiene of your facility.

For employees and customers with allergies or respiratory sensitivities, dirty windows can trigger sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and even asthma attacks.

Step-by-step guide to cleaning hard stains and smudges off of windows

Don’t let unsightly smudges, streaks, or hard water stains and fingerprints ruin the view within your premises. Clear, sparkling windows are crucial for maintaining a professional appearance and maximizing natural light in your office.

Here are some simple steps to banish those stubborn marks:

 

Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Dish soap
  • Spray bottle (x2)
  • Microfiber cloths (at least 3x)
  • Squeegee

     

Step 2: Tackling hard water stains:

  • Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Shake it or stir it evenly so the solution is well-mixed.
  • Spray a liberal amount of the solution onto the stained glass.
  • Allow it to set for a few minutes so the acid in the vinegar can break down the mineral deposits that cause hard stains.
  • In a circular motion, scrub the solution gently with one microfiber cloth. Repeat this until every inch of the glass has been cleaned.
  • Prepare a small bottle or bucket of warm water. Rinse the windows thoroughly and dry them with another microfiber cloth.

     

Step 3: Cleaning fingerprints off of windows

  • Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle.
  • Spray the solution onto the areas with fingerprints or smudges.
  • Wipe it again with a clean microfiber cloth in a back-and-forth motion.
  • Spray a little bit of warm water.
  • Dry with a microfiber cloth to prevent further streaks.

     

(Optional) For stubborn stains:

  • If either vinegar or soap dish solution does not remove stains or smudges, try using a baking soda paste and water. Mix baking soda with a small amount of water until it forms a thick, but spreadable consistency.
  • Apply the paste onto the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  • Then, wipe it off with a clean and dry microfiber cloth. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a separate microfiber cloth.

Why should I use a microfiber cloth for cleaning windows?

Microfiber cloths are preferred when cleaning windows of all types, not just office windows. They’re lint-free, non-abrasive, and highly absorbent.

It’s not advised to clean with paper towels or traditional rags because these could leave streaks, lint, or even scratch the glass.

Microfiber, on the other hand, lifts dirt and grime without causing damage to the surface. This is due to its makeup of tightly woven fibers which hold onto moisture, and allow for streak-free cleaning.

Key takeaway

Clean office windows are a simple, yet powerful way to improve your storefront or facility’s appeal, safety, and bottom line.

Hopefully, this guide has equipped you with knowledge on why their cleanliness is important, how to set up a regular window cleaning schedule, how to remove stubborn stains for eye-level windows, and how professional window cleaning services play a role.

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