20th Mar 2023

How to clean uPVC and aluminium windows

Windows naturally acquire a build-up of dirt and grime over time. This dirt can come from a wide range of sources, including bugs and insects stowing away in corners, birds passing over and leaving their mark, as well as general dust and dirt in the air.

However, to keep your windows in good condition it’s important to keep them clean. And what better time to tackle this than on your yearly Spring Clean, getting them back to sparkling and new in time for (hopefully) enjoying time outside in the sunshine?

In this handy guide, we will lay out exactly what you need to do to keep your uPVC or aluminium windows in good working order and looking as good as new, as well as letting you know some common mistakes to avoid!

One thing to note from the get-go is that non-abrasive materials and products are paramount when cleaning uPVC and aluminium windows and doors; panes, frames and sills. A soft cloth or sponge with warm soapy water will give a really good clean, and although for stubborn layers of grime, there are specific cleaning products available on the market, these are not needed in most cases.

uPVC windows

uPVC windows have become far and away the most popular window choice since they were first introduced as an alternative to wooden window frames over 40 years ago. They’re a great low-maintenance option and need very little attention to keep them looking great. However, giving them a quick clean every once in a while will help them to stay brighter and fresher for longer.

If you live in a city or near a busy road your windows are likely to get dirty more quickly, so you might want to give your uPVC windows a clean every few months. In more rural areas you probably won’t need to clean them more than once a year.

What you need to clean your uPVC windows

You can use a variety of things to clean your windows, but here’s what we recommend:

• A microfiber cloth or soft sponge
• A soft brush or toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas
• Washing up liquid – to make a bucket of warm, soapy water
• Lubricant
• Glass cleaner

How to clean uPVC windows

The first thing you need to do when cleaning a window is to open it as wide as possible until you feel a slight resistance. Be sure not to go past this point to avoid causing any damage! Opening the window so wide lets you have access to all the cracks and crevices around the edge of your window frame which are hidden when the window is closed. Keeping these bits clean is the key to keeping your windows in great condition for longer.

Once the window is wide open, use a soft brush or old toothbrush to loosen and remove any dust or dirt from the harder-to-reach areas around the edge of the frame. This might include cobwebs, dead insects and a general buildup of grime that happens in those parts of a window which aren’t often reached. Be careful not to use anything too rough as this could leave scratches on your lovely and shiny uPVC window frame.

After these bigger bits of dirt have been loosened by brushing, you can use a vacuum cleaner nozzle to suck away any residual dirt or debris from the edges of the frame and your window’s hinges.

If the hinges are a bit stiff, applying a little bit of lubricant can help to get them back to moving smoothly again.

Next, you should get a cloth or sponge dipped in a bucket of warm, soapy water to gently wash away any more stubborn dirt that might be lingering. Washing up liquid is great to use as your soap as it helps to remove most dirt very quickly and easily, without requiring too much scrubbing. Once all the dirt has been washed away, dry your window using a fresh microfibre cloth or some kitchen roll. Remember to always wash your windows from top to bottom to prevent dirt from dripping down onto a bit of window which you’ve already cleaned!

To make the glass of your windows really shine you can use a glass cleaner spray, but be careful not to get the spray onto your uPVC window frame or sill as it can cause discolouration, especially on white uPVC. The best way to ensure the glass in your windows is spotless is to spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto the pane near the top, then to use a clean microfibre cloth or some kitchen roll to wipe your window down. Keep rubbing at the glass with your cloth or paper until all the streaks from the spray have disappeared, and you’ll be left with beautifully clear, clean windows.

Although you may be tempted to use bleach or other chemical cleaning products to clean your uPVC window frames or sills, this could cause permanent and unsightly damage. Bleach reacts with uPVC to turn it brown, so instead of leaving it brighter and whiter, you would be left with brown stains all over your windows. Soapy water will do the trick, you don’t need to use anything else.

Aluminium windows

There are two main types of aluminium windows which you might have in your home ready for a clean; the newer, powder-coated windows and the older aluminium windows from around 15 to 20 years ago without a painted finish. They each need slightly different treatment when being cleaned.

How to clean powder-coated aluminium windows

Powder-coated aluminium windows can be cleaned in almost exactly the same way as uPVC windows, first by opening them up to reveal all the hidden spots where first could be trapped, then brushing away debris, hoovering around the edges, washing the windows with warm, soapy water and then finishing the glass panes off with a little bit of glass cleaner spray.

With powder-coated aluminium, you don’t need to be quite as careful about avoiding splashes of glass cleaner on the window frames or sills, but still shouldn’t be using anything harsh or rough to clean them.

How to clean older aluminium windows

Older aluminium windows, without any special coating, can often appear dirtier than other types of windows as they’re more exposed to the wear and tear caused by being outside. Luckily in most cases, they can still be cleaned up to look sparkling and new.

To start with, the cleaning process is the same as with any other window; cleaning around the edges of an open window with a brush and a hoover, and then washing down the window with warm, soapy water and a cloth or sponge. Once the bulk of the dirt has been removed, this is where you can put in a bit of elbow grease to get your aluminium windows looking lovely and clean.

Drying the window down with a microfibre cloth is a great way of buffing your window up to a shine, and seeing if there is any residual dirt or water marks left to get rid of. There are specialist aluminium cleaning products out there, but if you do buy one it’s always a good idea to test it in a small and unnoticeable area first to check for any unexpected reactions. On the whole, you shouldn’t need anything other than washing up liquid and water to get the job done.

Cleaning your uPVC or aluminium windows is really simple and easy to do, and can make a huge difference to the look of your home, both inside and out. Once your windows are clean you can sit back and enjoy the benefits of your handy work, letting that natural light stream in and fill up your home.

For more information or advice, feel free to get in touch with our team of experts at Associated Windows. We’ll be more than happy to put our knowledge and experience to good use and help you to make the most of your windows.