The standard answer
Most Pasadena homes do well with professional window cleaning twice a year — once in spring and once in fall. That timing lines up with the worst of the Santa Ana wind season and the heaviest pollen weeks.
But standard is not best. Here is how to find the right cadence for your home.
The factors that change the answer
1. Landscaping near the windows
- Mature trees (oak, pine, jacaranda, sycamore): sap, pollen, and tannins are constant. Clean every 3 months.
- Light shrubs and ground cover: fine with twice a year.
- No landscaping contact: can stretch to once a year without issues.
2. Proximity to freeways and construction
Homes near the 210, 134, or 710 pick up construction dust and exhaust residue. Fine particulate etches glass over time. Every 2–3 months is safer.
3. Hillside exposure
If your home sits above a hillside or has unobstructed wind exposure, dust accumulates faster than in sheltered neighborhoods. Every 3–4 months.
4. Pool or spa nearby
Hard-water spots from pool splash are some of the hardest deposits to remove. If you have a pool within 20 ft of a window, every 2–3 months plus a mineral deposit treatment at least once a year.
5. Second-story glass and skylights
Anything you cannot safely reach with a hose benefits from a professional clean more often. The cost of professional cleaning is less than the cost of a ladder accident.
6. Selling or showing the home
If you are listing the home, clean the windows immediately before the photographer comes. This is one of the highest-ROI pre-sale cleanings in LA real estate.
The seasonal rhythm that works for most Pasadena homes
- March / April: after the worst of winter rain and before spring pollen
- September / October: before the Santa Ana wind season and before the holidays
Booking these two appointments on a recurring schedule keeps your home consistently presentable.
What more often looks like
Add a third or fourth cleaning per year if:
- You entertain often and care about curb appeal
- You have allergies and want to minimize outdoor allergens on the glass
- You have a pool, spa, or a heavily landscaped lot
- Your home is on the market or you host short-term rentals
For short-term rental hosts, between-guest window cleaning is usually unnecessary, but a monthly full clean keeps the listing photos honest.
What less often looks like
You can stretch to once a year if:
- You have minimal landscaping touching the windows
- You are not bothered by mild dust or water spots
- You live in a sheltered, low-dust part of Pasadena
But once a year is the minimum, not the recommendation, for most homes.
What happens when you wait too long
- Hard-water deposits etch the glass. Once etched, only professional polishing removes them.
- Mineral buildup around the frames becomes hard to clean without scrubbing (which can damage the frame finish).
- Tracks and sills clog with debris, which can affect how the windows operate.
- Spiders and insects find the debris inviting. Regular cleaning keeps the tracks clear.
What to ask when scheduling
- Is interior and exterior included?
- Are screens cleaned?
- Are tracks and sills wiped?
- Is hard-water spot treatment available if needed?
A full professional cleaning includes all of these. A cheap service often skips the screens and tracks.
What it costs in Pasadena
A typical Pasadena home (15–25 windows, mostly first floor) runs 50–50 for interior and exterior. Larger homes with second-story glass run 00–00+.
Recurring scheduled cleanings (twice a year) often come with a small discount.
Ready to schedule?
If your last cleaning was over 6 months ago, you are probably overdue. We service Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada, Altadena, and the surrounding area.
Call (626) 667-2432 to schedule a one-time or recurring cleaning. Most homes we can price over the phone in under 5 minutes.
*Want to set up a recurring schedule? We will put you on the calendar twice a year and remind you before each visit.*