There is no universally correct answer, and be wary of anyone who gives you one. The right frequency is the one that keeps your storefront above the threshold at which a passer-by notices it for the wrong reason. That threshold depends on your street, your footfall and your trade.
What actually soils a storefront
- Road spray: rain carrying dust and tyre residue, up to one or two metres high. On a busy street this is factor number one.
- Hand, forehead and nose prints. Food shops, agencies, toy shops: daily, at hand and face height.
- Airborne pollution: a greasy film that settles slowly and shows up in raking light.
- Pollen and plant residue in spring, under street trees.
- Terrace splashes in hospitality: grease, drinks, ash, floor-cleaning product.
- Stickers, poster glue and tape residue after each campaign change.
- De-icing salt in winter, leaving stubborn white films.
Two shops on the same street can need different rhythms simply because one sits on an exposed corner and the other is set back.
Starting points by context
Points of departure to adjust after observation, not rules.
| Context | Reasonable starting point |
|---|---|
| Busy shopping street, food or hospitality | Weekly, sometimes more |
| Retail on a busy street, no terrace | Every two weeks |
| Agency or office with glazed frontage | Monthly |
| Business park, heavy traffic route | Fortnightly, tightened in winter |
| Quiet street, set back, low footfall | Monthly to quarterly |
| Storefront under a canopy, sheltered from run-off | Often wider than average |
A method that beats any rule
For one month:
- Photograph your storefront each morning, from the same position, in natural light.
- Note the day the condition bothers you — not "slightly dirty", but the day a customer might notice.
- Count the days since the last clean. That is your real interval.
- Subtract two or three days of margin. That is your working frequency.
One month of attention replaces years of guesswork.
Two common mistakes
Stretching intervals to save money. A storefront left too long needs a heavier visit, sometimes a pre-wash, and the cost difference is not proportional to the time saved — while you live with a mediocre frontage most of the time.
One rhythm for the whole year. The Belgian winter — salt, dirty rain, short days, lighting that reveals every smear — is not summer. Many businesses benefit from a tighter rhythm from November to March and a wider one in summer.
What to fix beyond the frequency
- The time window: before opening, after closing, or during quiet hours.
- The faces: outside only, or outside and inside — inside usually runs on a slower cycle.
- The exact scope: storefront, door, transom, side panel, entrance lobby, glazed terrace screen.
- Stickers and window graphics: removal included or not, and with what limits.
- What happens when something disrupts the visit: weather, roadworks, exceptional closure.
- The exit: how you stop, with what notice, without a silent rollover you did not choose.
Our approach
We prefer to start with one reset visit, then propose a frequency based on the condition observed and on your own record, rather than selling a standard rhythm on day one. Schedule and scope are written down, and adjustable.
FAQ
Does the inside need cleaning as often as the outside? Rarely. The outside faces the street; the inside is mostly marked by hands.
Can you work before opening? For a shop that is often the best option. Available slots are confirmed in the quote.
Is sticker removal included? It is a separate item. Old adhesive needs specific treatment, with no guarantee on a marked surface.