UPVC windows and doors remain the go-to choice for people in the UK. That is not only a local choice, though; across the UK, UPVC makes up around 90% of replacement windows and doors nationwide. These figures help us to understand why it feels like almost every house we walk past now makes the most of UPVC windows and doors. 

Ever since its introduction in the 1980s, UPVC has been a vote-winner for its aesthetics, simplicity of management and energy efficiency. There is a reason why locksmiths in the UK recommend UPVC for just about any property that is compatible with these door types! 

One of the main attributes of UPVC comes down to the fact that it needs far less maintenance than, say, traditional timber doors and door frames. These would often need extensive treatment and even replacement; UPVC simply needs to be cleaned up from time to time. What, though, do you use to clean UPVC windows and doors? 

Use these tips and guidelines put together by a professional locksmith Sheffield who is an expert in UPVC care to help you understand the best ways to make your UPVC shine in the light once again!

How Often Should I Clean My UPVC Windows & Doors?

Generally, you should be aiming for a clean-up around three to four times per year. That means every three to four months, generally. However, if you live in a more rural location where you get less use of your doors, you might find that a twice-per-year cleaning schedule is fine for most UPVC products.

However, according to an expert locksmith in Leeds, you could clean your UPVC windows and doors ten times a year and still not be happy with the results. Why? It could come down to how you clean your UPVC as opposed to how often. Let’s take a look at the best steps for safely and correctly cleaning UPVC.

UPVC Windows: Always Start With The Frames

If you are going to clean your UPVC windows, then we always recommend you start with the frames themselves. Ideally, you should start by cleaning the inside of your window frames as these tend to be the areas where the most dirt and debris begin to build up.

The Interior Window Frames

1. To get started, open your windows as far as you can without straining them. This should give you ideal access to the hinges and the interior sections of the frames. 
2. Use a handheld duster and go around the dirt and dust that has built up around the hinges and the corners of your window frame interiors. 
3. Once you have used a vacuum, clean the same areas with warm, soapy water. 
4. Give the insides of the frames a thorough clean, making sure to really apply some elbow grease on the areas that look dirtiest. 
5. Sometimes, all it needs is a good scrub. Once you finish, apply some lubricant to your UPVC windows hinges; your window supplier should be able to recommend a good product to use.
6. Give the frames a clean down with fresh, non-soapy water. 

The Exterior Window Frames

The next part of the cleaning process revolves around dealing with the exterior area around your window frames. 

1. Go and fill up your basin with some fresh, warm and soapy water. 
2. You should also get a non-abrasive, soft brush that you can use on stains that will not lift with the use of a cloth. 
3. Avoid excessive force, as this can impact the window frames and leave them looking discoloured.
4. Make sure that you avoid using any steel wool products, scouring pads or anything abrasive. Your clothes and squeegees need to be soft. Otherwise, you run the risk of chipping or scraping the frames and window panes. 
5. You should also rinse the windows with a hose (manage the pressure accordingly to avoid cracking or damaging the windows). 
6. Use a cloth and the soapy water solution you made up to give the frames and the glass pane a clean. This should leave the window looking fresh and gleaming, and hopefully with no streaks. If you see streak marks on the window frame or pane, repeat the process.
7. Repeat the post-finish clean-down using non-soapy water.

You can use these same cleaning solutions and methods for your window sills, too. In some cases, for caked-in stains on sills, you might need to apply the cleaning solution and leave it to bake in for 5-10 minutes. Otherwise, you can follow the same process here as you did for the exterior frames.

The Window Panes

You might also wish to use a window cleaning spray specifically for the window panes. 

1. Use a squeegee device so that you can glide along the window and avoid needless water marks from appearing. 
2. Start on one side and go from side to side, top to bottom, and then side to side again to catch any marks. If you see any excess water marks running down, simply catch them with a dry, clean cloth.
3. If you do use a window cleaning spray to get the panes shining, make sure none of this falls on the frame itself. If it does, you should clean this product off immediately.
4. Many window pane cleaners have ingredients that could damage your frames, so be vigilant about this. 
5. Generally, it is a good idea to avoid using any glass cleaners, bleaches, white spirits, cream cleaners, abrasive cleaners, or ammonia-based cleaning items on your window frames. These can damage and/or stain your frames permanently.

UPVC Doors: A Quick Solution To Gleaming Entryways

With your UPVC doors, the process really does not change much from what we did with the UPVC windows above. Really, you can use the same cleaning solutions on UPVC doors as you do with the windows. To get the best results when cleaning your UPVC doors, though, we recommend you:

1. Start by giving the inside of your door frames a quick vacuum. Make sure you pay close attention to areas where dirt builds up, particularly along the bottom of your doorways.
2. Clean your hinges, too; hinges often need a deep scrub to get rid of any buildup of marks or debris. Be careful not to be overzealous, though, or you could bend/misalign the hinges.
3. Take a vacuum or a strong brush and go around the perimeter and interior of your doors. This should help you to get up any loose dirt and dust that is floating around your doorways.
4. Get the same warm, soapy water solution we used for your UPVC windows and clean the door down. Make sure you are thorough, especially when it comes to caked-in stains. 
5. If your UPVC doors have glass, use the same glass cleaning technique we listed above so you can get that glass gleaming and free from streaks once you finish.
6. Lastly, give your UPVC doors a wash down with clean water to help remove any soapy residue that might be hanging around. 

Mould On UPVC Windows & Doors: Getting Rid Of Mould

Unfortunately, mould can begin to develop on UPVC doors and windows. This can happen due to the water build-up that happens around the doors and the frames, leading to mould developing. Not only is mould a ghastly look for any door, but it can also become a problem elsewhere in the home if left to fester. To get rid of mould, you are going to need to make up a strong, mould-killing mixture.

While you can buy many mould killers online, we recommend making an option at home. Start by getting a cup of vinegar and mixing it in with four cups of hot water. Now, combine this mixture and put it into a spray bottle. Spray down the door and look for any mouldy areas that need application. Leave this to sit for ten minutes or so, and then use a clean, dry cloth. Wipe down the door in its entirety. That should remove just about any mould stains that you see building up. 

Vinegar? Why Not Bleach?

Bleach and UPVC do not play nice together, unfortunately. You run the risk of damaging your door if you choose to use bleach or a white spirit mixture. UPVC products that have bleach or mould used on them can turn a kind of brown-ish shade; who wants that!?

TIP: This is also a great solution to create if you want to brighten up your UPVC doors and windows. If your UPVC is ageing or it has become discoloured for any reason, you can try using the same mixture as above to brighten up your UPVC doors once again. However, this will not remove any permanent stains or scratches caused by incorrect use of cleaning products and scouring pads.

Make Your Home Look Better With UPVC Cleaning

At the start of each season of the year, we recommend you give your UPVC windows and doors a proper clean-down. Use the methods described above, and you should be able to remove dirt, debris, mould, and other unsightly build-ups. 

Since you cannot re-bleach or re-paint your UPVC to make it all nice and white again, this is your best bet. If you use the above mixture and it does not brighten up your UPVC doors or windows, it could be that they are permanently stained. In that case, you probably need to consider new UPVC fittings.

The above, though, is the simplest and safest way to avoid using products that might damage your UPVC. Since UPVC is so porous, it can be easily damaged or stained by using the wrong cleaning products. Stick with the simple mixtures we recommended above, and you should be good to go!