Care & Maintenance

CARING FOR YOUR VINYL WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS.

It is easy to maintain the beauty of your vinyl windows and doors. American Weather Seal vinyl windows and doors come closer to being maintenance-free than most exterior building products. They may become dirty, just as a freshly-painted house, a new automobile, or any other product exposed to atmospheric conditions. However, with very little effort, you can keep your vinyl window and door components clean.

American Weather Seal | Vinyl Windows and Patio Doors

In most cases, a heavy rain is sufficient to clean these products. If rain does not do a satisfactory job, or you are in a low rainfall area, follow the simple instructions below (some are based on a study conducted by the Vinyl Window and Door Institute on the efficiency of cleaning vinyl window frames after two years of outdoor exposure.)

  • Wash with a soft cloth or ordinary-handled, very soft bristle brush.
  • For difficult-to-remove dirt and stains, such as top soil, motor oil, lithium grease, crayon, felt-tip pen, caulking, lipstick, grass, bubble gum, mold, and mildew, use the readily-available household cleaners listed below. Follow manufacturers’ instructions on use of cleaners.
  • In some cases, you may wish to use a mildly abrasive cleaner, such as Soft Scrub®, Ajax®, Bon Ami®, etc., but avoid using any abrasive material, as it could have a negative effect on the surface of glass and window or door frames.
  • Operate the sash biannually to keep the balances well lubricated.
  • Open the top and bottom sash for improved ventilation.
  • Use both hands to support sash when they are in the horizontal or cleaning position.
  • Make sure the tilt-latches are fully engaged after tilting sash back into operating position.
  • Make sure the top sash on a double-hung is closed and up all the way before locking the window.

What not to do...

  • Don't use cleaners containing aggressive organic solvents because they could affect the surface appearance of the vinyl. Examples include: chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, and furniture polish/cleaners.
  • Don't leave the lock in the locked position when closing the window, this will damage the keeper.
  • Don't use oil-based spray lubricants such as WD-40®. They attract dirt. Use a silicone spray for lubrication.
  • Don't use solvents to clean the windows or doors.
  • Don't use the crank on a casement without unlocking the window first.
  • Don't use a high-pressure hose to clean the outside of windows or doors.
  • Don't install a window air conditioner in a vinyl

Suggested cleaners to remove stains from vinyl window or door frames

  • All Purpose Stain Remover - Blue Magic® Leather & Vinyl Cleaner
  • Bubble gum - Fantastik®, Murphy® Oil Soap, solution of vinegar and water (70/30), Windex®
  • Crayon - Lest oil®
  • Oil Based Caulk - Fantastik®
  • Felt-tip Pen - Fantastik®, water-based cleaners
  • Grass - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy® Oil Soap, Windex®
  • Lipstick - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy® Oil Soap
  • Lithium Grease - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy® Oil Soap, Windex®
  • Mold & Mildew - Fantastik®, solution of vinegar and water (70/30), Windex®
  • Motor Oil - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy® Oil Soap, Windex®
  • Oil - Soft Scrub®
  • Paint - Brillo Pad®, Soft Scrub®
  • Pencil - Soft Scrub®
  • Rust - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy® Oil Soap, Windex®
  • Tar - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy® Oil Soap, Soft Scrub®, Top Soil®