Honestly, most people wait way too long. It's one of those things that creeps up on you — one week the windows look fine, then you notice they're a bit dull, and before you know it you can't remember the last time you got them done. We get it. But leaving it too long actually costs you more in the long run, because Christchurch is a genuinely tough environment for glass.

For most homes: every 3 to 6 months

Canterbury throws a lot at your windows. The nor'west winds carry fine dust and pollen from inland. Summer bakes whatever's on the glass. Winter rain leaves water marks that build up over months. For a typical Christchurch home, we'd say every three to six months is the sweet spot — it keeps things looking great year-round, and more importantly it stops mineral deposits building up on the glass itself. Once those get embedded, they're really hard to shift and can cause permanent damage over time.

Near the coast? You'll need it more often

If you're in Sumner, New Brighton, Redcliffs, or anywhere you can smell the sea on a good day, salt spray is landing on your windows constantly — even when the weather's calm. Salt is corrosive, and over time it etches into the glass itself. Those marks don't clean off. We'd say every two to three months for coastal properties, not because we want to sell you more cleans, but because that's genuinely what it takes to stay ahead of the damage.

Trees nearby, or on a busy road?

Christchurch's tree-lined streets are one of the things that makes the city beautiful — but established trees are hard on windows. Pollen, sap, and leaf debris build up fast, especially in spring and autumn. Same deal if you're on a main road: traffic film is subtle but it accumulates quickly and dulls your glass more than most people realise. Either way, you'll probably find yourself needing a clean more often than a property in a quiet, sheltered street.

Businesses: first impressions matter

People make snap judgements about a business before they've even walked through the door. Dirty windows on a shopfront read as neglect — even if everything inside is immaculate. For most commercial properties we'd recommend monthly or every two months, especially if you're on a busy street like in the CBD, Riccarton, or Sydenham where foot traffic is high and people are looking right at your frontage.

The short version

Every six months as a bare minimum for homes, every three months if you want them looking their best. For coastal or tree-heavy properties, more frequent is genuinely worth it. And if you're not sure what your property actually needs, just give us a call — we're happy to take a look and give you an honest recommendation, no charge, no pressure.

Get on a Regular Schedule

Canterbury Clear looks after homes and businesses all across Christchurch. Get a free quote and we'll sort out a schedule that works for you.

If you've ever cleaned your own windows — really put the effort in — and then watched streaks appear as the glass dried, you'll know how frustrating that is. You did everything right, and it still looks average. That's not a technique problem. It's a water problem. And once you understand that, the whole thing makes a lot more sense.

It's not the dirt — it's what's in the water

Tap water isn't just water. It contains dissolved minerals — mainly calcium and magnesium — that you can't see while the water's wet. But the moment it starts to evaporate, those minerals get left behind on the glass as white spots and streaks. It doesn't matter how much you wipe; you're essentially painting the glass with mineral residue every time you rinse. Even Christchurch's relatively soft tap water has enough in it to leave marks on a clean pane.

What pure water actually is

Pure water has had all those dissolved minerals stripped out through a multi-stage filtration process — typically reverse osmosis followed by deionisation. What you're left with is water that's as close to H₂O as you can practically get. When that dries on glass, there's nothing left behind. No spots, no streaks, nothing. Just clear glass.

How we use it

We use water-fed poles — telescopic poles with a soft brush head at the end that pump purified water through while you scrub. The brush agitates the dirt off the glass, the pure water rinses it clean, and then you just leave it to dry naturally. Because there's nothing in the water, the glass dries completely clear. No finishing with a squeegee or cloth needed.

A big practical advantage is reach. Our poles extend high enough to safely clean up to third-storey windows from the ground — no ladders needed. That's better for your property (no ladder damage to gutters or paintwork) and safer for everyone involved.

No chemicals — genuinely

Because the water itself is doing the work, there are no detergents or cleaning chemicals involved at all. That means it's completely safe around kids, pets, gardens, and painted surfaces. Nothing goes down the drain except water and the dirt we've lifted off your windows.

Does it actually last longer?

This is the one that surprises people most. Traditional cleaning products leave a thin residue on the glass — even when the window looks clean, that residue is there, and it attracts dust. Pure water leaves nothing, so there's nothing for grime to cling to. Most of our customers find their windows stay cleaner noticeably longer after a pure water clean compared to what they were used to before. That's why we use it on every job — it genuinely delivers a better result.

Want to See the Difference?

Canterbury Clear uses pure water technology on every job across Christchurch. Get your free quote and find out what a proper clean looks like.