· Michael Blair
Twice a year is the generic recommendation. Middle Tennessee has a heavy spring pollen load and enough humidity for organic growth on shaded elevations, both of which push the interval shorter.
A realistic schedule here
Twice a year covers most houses — late spring after the pollen drop and autumn after leaf fall. Three times suits houses under heavy tree cover or on a dusty road.
Interior glass generally needs less than exterior, except in kitchens.
Timing around pollen
Cleaning during the heaviest pollen weeks is wasted effort. Waiting until the drop has finished, usually late spring here, means the result lasts.
Autumn is the second natural point, clearing summer growth and organic film before winter.
- Late spring, after the pollen drop finishes
- Autumn, after leaf fall
- Three times under heavy tree cover
- Screens washed at the same time, or they undo it
- Sprinkler overspray is worth redirecting
Screens matter
Dirty screens transfer onto clean glass at the first rain. Washing them at the same time is what makes a clean last, and they are frequently skipped.
They also block a surprising amount of light when clogged with pollen.
Sprinkler overspray
Irrigation hitting glass leaves mineral spotting that ordinary washing will not remove. Redirecting the head is the fix, and it is cheaper than descaling twice a year.
It is one of the most common avoidable causes of permanently marked glass in Nashville.