When people ask us how many windows you can really clean on a winter day, we always say it’s not just about speed. You have to consider the below-zero temperatures, the duration of sunlight, and whatever surprise the weather decides to throw at you that morning.
That’s why we want to guide you through what really impacts your window cleaning when winter arrives, and what you can realistically expect once that thermometer starts its descent.
How Does Temperature Affect Your Speed?
Most people who clean windows say their productivity takes a serious hit during the coldest months, usually dropping between 25 and 40 percent compared to summer. That’s because they’re constantly stopping to warm up their hands, dealing with ice that keeps building up, and fighting with equipment that doesn’t want to cooperate in the cold.
The type of windows you’re tackling also makes a huge difference. Residential jobs with storm windows and screens become twice as complicated when everything’s frozen solid. Commercial work on tall buildings brings its own set of challenges—that wind chill up there makes an already cold day feel absolutely brutal.
When The Sun Calls It Quits At 4:30 Pm
Most cleaners really can’t start before 8 or 9 in the morning when there’s finally enough light to spot streaks and smudges, and you need to be wrapping things up by 4 or 4:30 when darkness arrives.
Because of this, some people focus on smaller jobs that fit perfectly into those limited daylight hours, while others invest in excellent lighting equipment so they can work early morning or late afternoon. Some cleaners shift their focus almost entirely to indoor commercial work, where artificial lighting, means they can work a full day regardless of what’s happening outside.
Those shortened days also complicate your scheduling and planning. The thing is, when you have just a few hours of good light, you can’t afford to waste time driving all over town between jobs. Savvy winter cleaners cluster their appointments close together and always build in extra time for weather delays.
Preparing Your Technique For Winter
If you want to succeed at winter window cleaning in Canada, you need a completely different approach than what works in summer.
Your regular cleaning solution needs methanol or specialized antifreeze additives mixed in to prevent it from freezing. The ratio of antifreeze to water becomes something you calculate fresh every morning based on what the forecast says.
Your equipment choices become absolutely critical once winter hits. You can switch to smaller squeegees that allow you to make quicker passes before the solution has a chance to freeze, and keep backup squeegees and rubber blades tucked inside your jacket to keep them warm and flexible.
You can also invest in hot water systems or insulated containers that keep your solution at a workable temperature longer. What you wear matters a lot—you need layers that keep you warm without restricting your movement, and gloves that protect you from frostbite while still allowing you to do the detailed work.
But remember that winter window cleaning isn’t about trying to match your summer numbers. It’s about adapting to the season, keeping those client relationships strong year-round, and developing the specialized skills that set you apart from cleaners who work when the weather is nice.
The professionals who master winter window cleaning thrive in it, building a reputation for reliability that really pays off when spring arrives and everyone else is scrambling to find work.
