Window glass cleaning and care today is more important than ever.
- Consult with the manufacturer’s specific instructions, especially before using potentially abrasive or caustic cleaners or solvents. Generally, when cleaning glass, it’s a good idea to use a vinegar-based glass cleaner or mild dish soap and water with a soft, lint-free cloth or paper products. You may carefully use a squeegee to dry. Petroleum-based cleaners or solvents should not be used as they can streak the glass and weaken the seal between the glass and frame.
- The applied film should only be added with approval from the window or door manufacturer. The addition of aftermarket products may void the original manufacturer’s warranty or alter product performance.
- Clean tracks and weep holes using a dry paintbrush or vacuum brush attachment. The use of oil-based lubricants can damage the weep hole. Weep holes help channel water out of the window or door, so be sure they are free of debris.
- Carefully clean the frame surfaces as directed by the manufacturer. If you live in an area with saltwater or acid rains, it’s a good idea to hose off the exterior of your windows and doors several times a year with water to help protect them from the harsh elements. The use of a razor blade, steel wool, putty knife, or abrasive pad may damage your window.
- Check weatherstripping, hardware, and caulking and replace broken, worn, or damaged parts. Poor performing components can decrease security or energy efficiency.
- Reduce the risk of an insecure environment or loss of energy efficiency by leaving windows and doors closed and locked when not in use for ventilation.
- Choose windows and doors designed and tested to meet stringent air, water, structural, forced entry, and thermal performance standards. Insulating, Low-E, or heat reflective glass requires proper maintenance to ensure the best performance over the life of the product.
- Never use a razor blade, putty knife, steel wool, abrasive pad, or anything that may scratch the glass surface.
- Never use a pressure washer or high-pressure sprayer to wash or rinse windows or doors as this can dislodge seals and gaskets and damage frame components.
- Clean glass with a vinegar-based cleaner or mixture of mild soap or detergent and water. Rinse completely with clear water, then wipe dry with a soft cloth or a squeegee to help avoid water spots. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first.
- Avoid washing glass in direct sunlight to reduce streaking of the glass.
- Avoid abrasive, petroleum-based, or caustic cleaners because they may cause permanent damage to the finish or the glass.
- When painting, staining, or finishing sash or frame components adjacent to glass surfaces the use of masking tape on the glass is recommended to protect it from splatter or overcoat that may require excessive clean-up.
- Clean screens by gently vacuuming with a brush attachment. Or, remove for cleaning and gently vacuum or wash on a flat, clean surface with mild soap and water and a soft brush. Rinse, wipe, or air dry and reinstall.
An article by MI Windows. To find out more about MI Windows, click here.
Tropical Window installed soft vinyl sliders to enclose my lanai a couple years ago. I would like to know how to clean them and what product you recommend using to do so. Please reply….thanks!
Hello Buz,
The best way to clean soft vinyl is with a microfiber towel and a little bit of dawn dish soap diluted in water. Thank you for your inquiry!
I appreciate the advice on using vinegar-based cleaning agents when cleaning windows. For the past week, it has been very windy where I live and there has been a lot of dust blowing around. My windows on the exterior of my house are absolutely covered with dust right now. I’m not sure what the best way to clean the ones on the second story of the home would be, so I think that it would be best for me to hire a company to do it.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Opera.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought
I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though!
Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Kudos
Hello,
Thank you for your kind words. I downloaded Opera and couldn’t replicate the problem. Can you tell me what device you were using and any specific page that the problem is on? I will be sure to fix it once I can replicate the issue.