It’s spring and the sun is shining brightly into your living room... beautiful, you might think, until you see what those sunbeams reveal: grimy uPVC window frames covered in dust, stains from last winter, and the occasional fingerprint (thanks to the little ones pointing outside with peanut-butter-covered hands). Time for action! Cleaning uPVC window frames seems simple, but there are a few do’s and don’ts. As the home manager (also known as: the mum who cleans everything that isn’t nailed down), I’m happy to share my tips for cleaning your uPVC window frames without damaging them. That way, they’ll stay looking like new for longer.
Do’s: How do you clean uPVC window frames?
- Start by dusting: Before you start with soapy water, remove the worst of the dirt first. Go over the frames with a soft duster or feather duster, or gently vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. Don’t forget the corners, hinges and any ventilation slots; dust and cobwebs love to collect there.
- Use lukewarm soapy water: Less is more! Warm water with a splash of mild washing-up liquid or all-purpose cleaner is often all you need. Fill a bucket with warm (not boiling hot) water and add, for example, a capful of a gentle all-purpose cleaner. My favourite: a scented Fabulosa all-purpose cleaner (it’s concentrated and biodegradable, so it’s good for the environment and your wallet). Stir briefly until some foam forms – your soapy water is ready. (Tip: instead of all-purpose cleaner, you can also use a splash of traditional soft soap; it’s gentle on the material and has a lovely natural scent.)
- Soft cloths or sponges: Use a soft microfibre cloth or sponge to clean the frame. Never scrub vigorously with a scouring sponge. A cheerful, scratch-free option is the Scrub Daddy sponge. It’s firm enough to remove stuck-on dirt without scratching surfaces. Its round shape and handy smiley face also make it easy to reach corners and clean around window handles. (And a bonus: it makes cleaning just a little more fun for the children, because “cleaning with a face” is highly appealing in our household!)
- Work from top to bottom: When washing window frames (and windows, for that matter), it’s smart to start at the top. That way, dirty water drips down onto the areas you still need to clean, rather than onto the part you’ve already finished. This saves you from having to do the same work twice. (Learn from my mistake: I once started at the bottom, and dirty drops ran straight down from above onto my clean frame... such a waste of effort!)
- Tackle stubborn stains: Dealing with something persistent on the uPVC, such as black shoe marks or dried paint? First, try removing it with the soapy water and your non-scratch sponge. If that doesn’t work, use a specific cleaning product. A The Pink Stuff all-purpose cleaner spray, for example, is safe for many surfaces and helps loosen grease and dirt. Spray it onto the stain, leave it to work for a moment and wipe it off. For really stubborn spots, you can carefully use a little cleaning paste such as The Pink Stuff, but test it on an inconspicuous corner first – some uPVC window frames can become dull from abrasive products. So: gentle is the key. Do you have green deposits on the exterior frames (that green haze caused by algae)? Add a splash of cleaning vinegar to your soapy water and scrub it away (then rinse with water).
- Finishing touch: wipe and dry: After cleaning all the frame edges with soapy water and a sponge, use a clean damp cloth to wipe everything down once more. This removes soap residue. Then buff everything dry with a dry cloth (or an old towel). This prevents streaks on the frame surface and immediately gives it a nice shine. (Drying is especially important with dark frames; otherwise, you may later notice dried soap marks.) Et voilà, your frames are fresh and clean again – white, anthracite or whatever colour uPVC you have – without a haze.
A small confession: I once hurriedly cleaned the frames while the bright sun was shining directly on them, just before guests arrived. Not a good idea! The soapy water dried almost immediately, leaving me with streaky marks. Lesson learned: window frames are best cleaned on a cloudy day or during a cooler part of the day. That gives you plenty of time to wipe away the soapy water before it dries, resulting in a streak-free finish.
Don’ts: What not to do with uPVC window frames
- No harsh products: It may be tempting to reach for the bottle of white spirit, acetone or bleach to deal with that one nasty stain, but don’t! Solvents and bleach can damage or discolour the uPVC. Your beautiful frame may become dull or patchy. Always dilute cleaning vinegar generously when using it; undiluted vinegar is too acidic. (Even better: choose a mild all-purpose cleaner or soapy water, which usually works just as well.)
- Don’t sand or scrape: Don’t use a scouring sponge, steel wool or sandpaper on uPVC. It sounds obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many people scratch surfaces in their enthusiasm. I once caught my partner using a green scouring sponge on our frame – *scream*! The result: fine scratches that are always visible in certain light. Hard plastic scrapers can also cause scratches. Do you have paint splatters or stickers on the frame? Soak them loose with warm water and soap, and if necessary use a plastic spatula (or your fingernail) to remove them carefully.
- Avoid high temperatures: Don’t blast your frames with a steam cleaner, and the soapy water doesn’t need to be boiling hot. Excessive heat can deform the uPVC or damage the finish. Lukewarm to warm water is more than sufficient for cleaning.
- No pressure washer from close up: If you’re going to spray-clean the exterior frames, keep your distance from the pressure washer. A powerful water jet from very close can damage sealant joints or “sandblast” the surface. It’s better to use a garden hose or a bucket of soapy water and a soft brush for the outside. Still want to use a pressure washer? Use a wide spray nozzle, keep at least 30 cm away and move over the surface quickly instead of concentrating the spray on one spot.
- Watch the hardware: Be careful with water around hinges and metal locks. It’s better to clean them with a cloth and dry them afterwards to prevent rust and mechanical problems. Never spray cleaning product directly into the gap of a tilt-and-turn window; it may run into the inside of the frame.
Maintenance tips: Keep uPVC window frames looking good for longer
Now that your frames are spick and span again, you’ll naturally want to keep them looking good for as long as possible. Fortunately, uPVC is relatively low-maintenance (yes!), but a little care now and then works wonders:
- Make it a routine: Wipe down your frames once a month while cleaning. Give them a quick wipe with soapy water before the worst of the grime builds up. Monthly maintenance prevents you from having to scrub like crazy once a year.
- Be careful when gardening: Are you cleaning the façade or patio (for example, using cleaning vinegar against algae)? Make sure it doesn’t remain on the frames, and rinse them afterwards. Some outdoor products (for green deposits and the like) are corrosive to uPVC if left on for too long.
- Remove stains straight away: Bird droppings on the frame? Mud splashes after a rain shower? Remove them as soon as you see them. The longer dirt and stains soak in, the harder they are to remove. A quick wipe with a damp cloth can prevent a lot of hassle later.
- Check the seals and sealant edges: Take a moment to inspect the seals and sealant around your frames. If they’re covered in sand or mould, clean them with mild soap and keep them supple with, for example, a little silicone spray. This helps your windows close properly and remain watertight.
With these do’s & don’ts, you have everything you need to keep your uPVC window frames neat and clean. I always find it such a satisfying task when the frames shine white again: it freshens up the whole house! (The neighbour even asked recently whether we’d had “new window frames” installed – haha, that’s how much difference a cleaning session can make.) And if you keep up this cleaning routine a little – for example, wiping away the worst fingerprints once a week – your kitchen will stay showroom-fresh all the time without too much effort.
Cleaning uPVC window frames isn’t rocket science, but you do need to know what you should and shouldn’t do. With lukewarm soapy water, soft cloths and gentle cleaning products, you can keep your frames looking like new. Avoid harsh chemicals and scouring-sponge disasters, and your frames will remain beautiful and intact for years. You’ll see: with a little care, uPVC window frames last surprisingly long without weathering. Happy cleaning!