Cleaning Your Replacement Window Frames, Screens, and Glass: Tips for San Diego Homeowners

Cleaning your replacement windows, including their frames and screens, is something you should do regularly to keep them looking their best. Doing so will also make your San Diego home look and feel brighter, which is probably one of the reasons you invested in replacement windows in the first place!

Cleaning your windows may seem pretty straightforward, but there are some pro tricks and tips that will save you time and result in even cleaner windows and screens.

Cleaning Your Replacement Window Screens

The first thing you should do when you go to wash your windows is remove and wash your windows’ screens. With Anlin replacement windows (which we use in the homes of many of our San Diego customers) you first remove the screens by opening the window, then pulling the pull rail or pull tabs toward the center of the window, and finally pushing the screen outward.

To wash your replacement window screens, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with water in a bucket. Place your screens on a clean, flat surface. Dip a soft brush into the bucket with the soapy water and gently scrub both sides of your screens. Rinse with a hose, using the lightest mist setting available on the spray nozzle. Wipe the screens dry with a microfiber towel, as allowing them to air dry will leave unsightly streaks.

Once your screens are dry, put them back into the window frame by placing the springs on the screen frame into the screen channel on your window. Pull the screen toward the center, then toward you until it is firmly in place on all sides.

Washing Your Vinyl Replacement Windows to a Streak-Free Shine

Just as with your windows’ frames, your windows should be washed with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Never use caustic chemicals like ammonia or petroleum-based cleaners on your replacement windows, as they may cause damage and void your replacement window warranty.

Take a non-abrasive sponge (or a scrubber designed for cleaning windows), dip it in your bucket, and let the excess liquid run off. Gently rub the sponge or scrubber over the entire surface of the window. Then, use a squeegee to remove cleaning solution, starting from the top of the window and using smooth, left-to-right strokes. Wipe off the squeegee after each stroke. Finally, using a clean, microfiber cloth, wipe off any cleaning solution that is still left near the frame.

To clean the insides of your windows, use the same mixture of water and dish soap, but this time put it in a spray bottle. Spray the solution evenly over the glass surface, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

Cleaning Your Replacement Window Frames

As often as you wash your windows and screens, you should also clean your windows’ frames. Use a non-abrasive sponge dipped into a cleaning solution of mild dish soap and water. Gently squeeze the sponge to get rid of excess cleaning solution and then wipe the entire surface of your window frame. Rinse with a damp towel, and then dry with a microfiber cloth.

Using the instructions above will protect your windows from damage and keep them looking great for many years to come! If you have any questions about the proper maintenance of your replacement windows, you can always contact us at our San Diego office. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. For more helpful tips and videos, visit the Care & Maintenance page on our website.