Quick answer
If your windows still look dirty right after cleaning, the cause is usually one of: hard-water minerals drying as spots, dirty screens re-soiling the glass, cleaning in direct sun, too much soap leaving residue, or haze between the panes from a failed seal (which cleaning can’t fix). Match the symptom below to the fix.
Match the symptom to the cause
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| White spots / cloudy film | Hard-water minerals | Pure-water clean; check sprinklers |
| Streaks & smears | Sun-drying or too much soap | Clean in shade; less soap; technique |
| Dirty again within days | Dirty screens / tracks | Clean screens & tracks too |
| Haze you can’t wipe off | Failed sealed unit | Glass replacement (not cleaning) — see foggy windows |
| Spots only on lower panes | Sprinkler overspray | Re-aim sprinklers; pure-water clean |
The big one: hard water
The most common reason a fresh clean still looks spotty in Calgary is hard water drying minerals back onto the glass. The only reliable fix is rinsing with pure water that has no minerals to leave behind.
The one cleaning can’t fix
If the haze is between the panes and won’t wipe from either side, it’s a failed seal — no clean will help. Here’s how to tell.
Get a finish that actually lasts
Our pure-water system dries spot-free and streak-free, guaranteed — and we clean screens and tracks so the glass stays clean. Get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my windows streaky right after cleaning?
Usually from cleaning in direct sun, using too much soap, or hard tap water drying minerals onto the glass. Clean in shade, use minimal soap, and rinse with pure or distilled water.
Why do my windows get spots again so quickly?
Hard-water minerals (from tap water or sprinkler overspray) and dirty screens re-soiling the glass are the usual culprits. A pure-water clean plus screen cleaning fixes both.
Why is there haze I can’t wipe off?
If you can’t wipe it from inside or outside, the haze is between the panes — a failed sealed unit. Cleaning can’t fix it; the glass unit needs replacing.
