How To Clean and Maintain PVC Windows, Doors And Conservatories

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How To Clean and Maintain PVC Windows, Doors And Conservatories

PVC windows and doors bring huge benefits in the quality of living in and around the home. From maintenance being virtually non existent to the warmer rooms and reduction in noise.

They come in a huge range of colours already and choosing one that suites your property best will give you the look your home deserves. Double glazed PVC window doors can't be painted or coated once fitted as they usually come in either white PVC which is most popular, or in a foiled finish on the exterior.

Although the foiled finishes are available on the interior as well, customers would generally opt for white PVC interiors as they are easier to clean and give a much cleaner lighter feel to the rooms.
The foils can come in various finishes such as Oak, Mahogany, Rosewood and now in bespoke colours which are new to the market. Colours ranging from Irish oak, rustic cherry and even various shades of grey, reds and blues.
Depending on which type of finish the customer chooses there will be a different way that you should treat the window frame when cleaning. But the general maintenance of the product concerning working parts and general rules should stay the same no matter what PVC products are installed.
The age of the product may affect the aesthetics also, as home owners were having PVC installed up to 20 years ago. The PVC part of the window and door should still be able to be brought back as good as near to new as possible with the right techniques.
Although there are a few tips on bringing old windows and doors back to life, it's important to realise that the performance of the glazing wont be anywhere near as effective as the new energy efficient windows and doors being installed at the minute. There is also the problem of malfunctions on working parts such as handles and locking systems that need maintaining on at least 6 month periods to provide less problems.

General cleaning.

First open the windows and you will see a channel revealed where the hinges and locking keeps sit. Use a small paint brush and loosen the dirt, then take a vacuum cleaner hose to suck out any loose dirt.
We would advise anyone seeking advice on general cleaning of PVC windows to use a none abrasive cloth and soapy water . Use the soapy water (standard none bleach detergent) to wash over the entire window internally and external. wipe down the the whole window afterwards and dry with a different cloth. Use the soapy cloth to wipe down the channel getting into the corners and giving the rubbers a clean whilst it's open.
If you look on the opener where it closes on to the frame there will be a 5 mm marked line which is all the way round this needs to be removed with the soapy cloth.
Along the top and sides of the opener will need a wipe too. If you fully extend the opener as far as it will go you will see at the top of the opener reveal itself and access it easily.
If there are any sticky markings on the windows that you can't remove the glass cleaner or solvent we advise lower down will bring it off.
Sometimes when decorators accidentally splash glass and leave tiny speckles, they use a Stanley knife blade which is a flat sharp blade. This technique of removing any really stubborn marks off the glass with a blade should be used with real care as you don't want to scratch the glass by accident.Use it as flat as you can slowly. If you're not confident about this technique avoid it or get a professional in.

Solvents, cream cleaners and sprays

Depending on what type of finish colour and age of the PVC window will depend on what to use. The level of dirt and ground in dirt will also make a difference as to what product you need to use.
If the window is white PVC and is relatively new the above general cleaning will be enough.

Always use a purpose made long lasting paper roll that can be bought from your local DIY / PVC outlet to apply anything other than soapy water. Alternatively you can use good grade kitchen roll for the frames, but not advised for the glass.(mentioned further down)

Older windows and doors

If the window is ageing and needs a bit more poke, then opt for a cream cleaner that is none abrasive from a respected PVC or DIY supplier/outlet. Don't use the cream on the glass or anything other than the white PVC. Remember to buff off the excess with another piece of roll. This can then be finished off with solvent for a good finish.

It is always useful to have a bottle of top grade purpose made solvent PVC cleaner from the DIY / PVC outlet. Have them advise you on what you require. This can be used to finish off the PVC white window frame and will even bring out dirt from very minor scratches. Be careful not to wipe away any silicone lines. Use minimal amounts of solvent on silicone as it can begin to remove it. This is a good way of removing yellow stained silicone from smoking or cooking. Don't ever use any cloths with any colour on them as it will more than likely smear it on the white PVC frames. Only use the purpose made rolls or white cloth if possible.

Wood grains and bespoke finishes

The use of spray oils such as WD40 on wood grain or bespoke colours is all that is needed. It will give a better finish and protect the window from the elements slightly. It will prevent further dust and bird markings from adhering so strongly. Only use this cleaning technique on foiled finishes. White PVC windows will not benefit at all from spray oils when cleaning. Don't get the spray on the glass, apply liberally to the roll and clean in sweeping motions.

Handles, locking systems and hinge maintenance

Its a pretty simple thing to keep on top of if you have a spray oil. This maintenance needs doing every 3 to 6 months to keep the windows and doors working as they should without any problems.Most installers hand out leaflets on maintenance advice now. If not ask them to advise you.

Handles

Using the window handle key, spray on some oil and insert in to the handle lock. Wiggle the key and push it in and about about 10 times. If you don't have the key use the straw nozzle on the spray can to try to get some inside the lock. Condensation can sometimes cause these locks to seize up slightly.You will feel the lock loosen straight away. Bathrooms and kitchens will benefit most as they produce most steam and condensation, they are also left open more than others for the elements to get to them.

Locking systems

With the window open you will see straight away a set of lock keeps on the lower of the channel. It doesn't harm to give these a quick spray. But if you feel under the actual opener you will feel a locking system and a set of roller cams that lock in to the lock keeps when shut. This whole locking strip needs to be sprayed and can usually be done from inside. If not gain access from outside and spray liberally.

On PVC doors the spraying of the key can be done from inside and out to prevent any access problems in the future. If you open the door on the handle side, in a channel on the side of sash opener you will see the locking strip. This is the first thing to go on any door even before the handles. This will need spraying in the closed position ( hooks in) and when the door handle is lifted (hooks out) to the open position. Spray liberally with oil and make sure to spray underneath and at the top as there are shoot bolts that will be revealed when in the locking position and these need spraying to prevent the system seizing up.

Spray the hinges of the door in an open position to prevent any major friction coming from any slight rusting. The general cleaning guides of the PVC doors and conservatories are the same as the guide for PVC windows above.

Hinges

Window hinges sit in the rebated channel of the window and are accessed when opened. The friction hinges will extend the more you open the window and are easy to spray. The spray may loosen the hinges each time you do maintenance on them, but there should be a tightening screw that can tighten the hinge back up again. The hinges on PVC windows are the second most common part to fail next to the double glazed unit in the window. If not sprayed the condensation, rain and moisture throughout the year will begin to rust the hinge. This is the most worked part of the window and takes all the weight of the opener so keep on top of it. Any rusting that starts will spread quickly especially in salty coastal areas.

Cleaning the glass

It's the question all installers get asked when fitting windows. What do you use to clean the glass ? The simple answer is there is no secret and the only trick is buying an industrial strength purpose made glass cleaner that is none smear.
Applying it with purpose made paper roll as kitchen roll or toilet paper won't do. The reason being that the inferior rolls will leave lots of fibres all over the window and break down very easily. You need to apply direct to the glass and get into all the corners.
With the roll vigorously wipe the window until it is almost gone. Now turn the roll over and buff the glass until dry and polished to perfection. The same needs to done on the outside for the ultimate glass finish.
Pre applying solvent cleaner if there are any adhesives or sticky marks would be fine. Applying some solvent is safe to use on the glass. Then use the glass cleaner afterwards to get the shine back.

There are various old techniques of vinegar and water and some other dodgy ideas but if you buy an industrial grade from a respectable outlet you will have no problems whatsoever in getting the desired Polish on your glazing. (PVC window gallery) for proof of finishes that can be attained

PVC windows, doors and conservatories will use the same techniques in maintenance and cleaning as long as they are of the same finish.
If you don't have the confidence or are not sure about any of the above then have your local PVC outlet advise you on what should be done. All the above advice will need common sense as to not follow carefully will be detrimental to your double glazed investment.

Company information

More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @ Southport Doors & Double Glazing

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