When it comes to looking after your uPVC products including windows, doors and cladding, the cleaning and maintenance they require is minimal, which makes them extremely sought after. That being said, there is still some “up-keep” you can do to prolong their life and keep them looking fresher for longer by following some of the tips we’ve given below.
Regularly check for any dirt or debris every 6 months. Get rid of any debris such as leaves and dirt that build up in the alcoves and gaps of the frame / cladding. Brush off with a soft dust brush or if accessible use a hoover with a brush fitting to help avoid debris causing scratches.
The best thing you can do is simply wipe the uPVC windows, doors and cladding with some warm soapy water (preferably weak washing up liquid). What you want to keep in mind is that uPVC is a rather sensitive material, so there are products that you should never use. You need to avoid using cream cleaners, solvents and products that are abrasive as you may end up damaging the surfaces and the glossy finish.
Using a clean, non-abrasive cloth such as a towel or clean rag, wipe any excess water until it has gone and you have a nice clean finish.
Our Happy Haus Guarantee covers against uPVC discolouration (for 10 years), however, if you fall outside of this period, there are still some tips you can adopt to prolong it’s clean and white finish. In order to clean the frame and retain it’s white, glossy finish, we have found the following process works wonders:
Baby wipes aren’t just for babies! We have found that baby wipes are a great, non-abrasive way to help clean and whiten uPVC window and door frames. You can also buy specialist uPVC cleaning products from most major retailers.
Using a sponge will help spread the cleaning solution on the uPVC windows and doors more evenly. Do not use a sponge with a scouring pad as this will most likely scratch the uPVC windows and doors, and you won’t have that glossy finish. There are some things to avoid helping prevent damage and shortening the window’s or door’s life span:
Powder-finished aluminium doesn’t corrode easily and, as such, it’s a really easy material to clean to good effect with minimal effort. A powder coating protects the aluminium frame from scratches and abrasions.
Much like a non-stick pan, when thinking about how best to maintain your aluminium windows or door frames, be careful not to use abrasive sponges or cloths when scrubbing.
Harsh cleaning products should also be avoided. Anything containing bleach or other strong chemicals should be used very sparingly or, ideally, not at all.
Regular light cleaning will ensure your aluminium window frames are maintained to a high standard anyway, so you shouldn’t feel the need to use a deep-cleaning product. A household detergent and warm water wiped across the frames should do the job without any issues. What’s more, aluminium frames are usually very narrow to ensure maximum natural light, so cleaning the frames won’t take long in most cases.
