Step-by-step guide on how to wash plastic windows correctly and without streaks

Plastic windows do not require special care. They do not need to be painted or insulated for the winter. Durable material is easy to clean, but not all products are suitable for this.

To ensure that the structure shines clean and the coating does not have a shortened service life, you need to listen to the recommendations of manufacturers and the tips of experienced housewives.

We will tell you in this article how to properly wash plastic windows (slopes, frames) from the outside, how to remove the remains of polyurethane foam and old adhesive tape.

Wash according to instructions without special tools

Experienced housewives know that washing a window does not mean polishing the glass until it shines; all parts of the structure deserve attention. You should start with preparation: remove curtains, nets, clear the window sill. Then proceed to the main part.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. 
   Cleaning frames with soapy water. In case of severe contamination, it is necessary to use professional liquids.

2. Removing dirt and stains from double-glazed windows. You can use a sponge with a special product, moving from top to bottom (repeat twice).
3. Processing of glass and profile joints. The greatest amount of dirt accumulates there. Do not allow alcohol-based solution to come into contact with the seal.
4. Rubbing glass. To avoid the formation of streaks on the glass, you must use a dry cloth or microfiber cloth.
5. The final stage is the window sill. Even stubborn stains should not be removed with household chemicals with an aggressive composition.

How to keep the outside clean?

You can do without a magnetic brush and a mop with a telescopic handle if:

• You need to wash the windows in a private house; you can use a stepladder and do it from the street side;
• the doors open inward - in this case, the process must begin with them.

In other cases, without risking the life and health of the owner, it is possible to clean the glass from the outside only with the use of special assistants.

The outside of the glass is subject to rapid and severe contamination; in order not to wash it twice, it is better to immediately use effective industrial solutions.

How to remove primer

The primer left after the repair on the PVC inside and outside had to be removed immediately. To properly remove stubborn primer mixture, use the following methods.

• First, try washing the dirty areas with warm water and detergent and a stiff sponge.
• If you can't remove the primer, take vinegar essence and use it to wipe off any remaining stains from the glass, frame, and window sill. Wear gloves and a mask, the essence vapors are very caustic.
• Remove heavily ingrained primer with a blade, after moistening the remaining mixture. Place a wet rag over the marks and wait for the primer to swell. Then carefully scrape it off the glass and plastic with a blade.
• Baking soda applied to a damp, stiff sponge works great for removing primer marks.

Folk remedies

To safely clean plastic windows, you can use budget funds:

1. 
   Soap. It must be grated (preferably a household grater), dissolved in water, applied with a sponge to the surface, rinsed with clean water and wiped dry.

2. Vinegar. Eliminates stains and repels insects. 50 g of the substance must be mixed with 200 g of warm water. Apply to the glass surface using a spray bottle and wipe dry.
3. Glycerol. Use a solution (60 ml added to 40 ml water) to wipe the glass. Suitable for preventing contamination; to combat stains, add 2-3 drops of ammonia to the liquid.
4. Ammonia . Effective in the fight against nicotine plaque, cleans and disinfects the surface. You need to mix 2 tbsp. l of ammonia and 400 ml of water, apply to the surface and wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth.
5. Lemon juice . Ammonia and vinegar have a pungent odor that not everyone likes. In this case, you can prepare a solution of lemon juice (50 ml) and water (200 ml). The processing principle is the same.

When cleaning glass with a solution of vinegar and ammonia, it is necessary to avoid getting the liquid on the rubber seal and profile; the aggressive composition of the substances can damage them.

Cosmetics for cars

Automotive plastic has the same characteristics as household plastic. Thanks to this, they can be cleaned with the same product. In most cases, such compositions are produced in the form of a spray.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. The selected substance is sprayed onto the plastic.
2. It is left to dry for several tens of minutes.
3. After this, wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in water.

Household chemicals

Manufacturers of plastic windows recommend using products specifically designed for them. The most popular:

1. Clin “Windows and Mirrors” spray – an alcohol-based product that will clean and form a water-repellent film on the glass surface. Convenient to use, economical, does not require polishing, does not leave streaks. Price - from 120 rubles.
2. Muscle liquid product with ammonia is conveniently applied to the glass surface thanks to a dispersion sprayer. Does not leave streaks and copes with stubborn stains (oil, soot). Price - from 120 rubles.
3. Cif is an alcohol-based liquid that effectively fights greasy stains and stubborn stains and cleans glass effortlessly. Easy to use and economical thanks to the spray nozzle. Price - from 100 rubles.

Comparing industrial products and solutions prepared at home, housewives agreed: they give the same result, but the first category allows you to tidy up the window faster, and the second has practically no impact on the family budget.

Secrets of caring for plastic

Whatever one may say, it is better to prevent contamination than to waste time eliminating it later. To do this, you just need to follow some simple tips for caring for your plastic window sill:

• wipe the surface with a dry cloth every day - this way you remove dust, and it does not have time to be absorbed into the top layer of the material;
• do not place hot dishes on the windowsill - this will instantly damage the plastic;
• wipe the surface with water immediately after using products with chemically active substances - it will protect against stains and deformation of the material;
• do not use iron brushes - they not only scratch the plastic, but also leave grooves in it, into which dirt later gets clogged;
• if there are pots of flowers on your windowsill, place stands under them - moisture from the flowerpots will flow into them and not onto the plastic;
• Test all new detergents carefully in small areas - if there is a bad reaction on the part of the plastic, the consequences will not be so noticeable.

In general, one of the easiest ways to keep a plastic window sill snow-white is to install a special double-glazed window with ultraviolet protection. This is especially true if your kitchen faces the sunny side. And be sure to maintain the correct temperature: an air conditioner will help maintain it, but if it is not possible to install it, just always ventilate the room during and after cooking.

Useful devices

Helpers who make life easier for housewives and save them from the need to risk their lives are not a luxury, but a necessity in every home.

Mop with telescopic handle

An irreplaceable assistant in hard-to-reach places . The set includes a handle and two nozzles: with a sponge for cleaning glass and a rubber one for removing water.

The advantages of the device are light weight and adjustable handle length. You may not be able to clean the window flawlessly the first time; certain skills are required. You need to work with smooth movements from top to bottom.

The main criterion for selection is the length of the handle; it should be more than 2 m . The optimal height is the double-glazed window plus 50 cm.

Magnetic brush

The device consists of two identical parts covered with a sponge and a magnet, which allows you to hold the two halves in the same position.

Principle of operation:

• dip the sponges into the prepared soap solution;
• put the cord of the device on your hand to hold the brush in case of a fall;
• place one part on the outside of the glass, the second on the inside;
• start moving the inner half from the edge of the glass to the center, the outer one will exactly repeat the movements.

The device saves the owner’s time, takes care of her safety, there is a drawback - not all models work on two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows.

Scraper (rubber tie)

Another name for a brush is water brush . A rubber nozzle 20-60 cm wide fits tightly to the glass and forces moisture to escape in the direction of movement. The recommended direction is from top to bottom; the scraper is ineffective if the movement is chaotic.

When choosing, they are guided by the width of the nozzle, which depends on the width of the windows that will be processed with it.

Steam cleaner

A universal device with a working principle similar to an iron. Water is poured into the device, brought to a boil, and an air stream saturated with steam comes out under pressure.

Guarantees deep cleansing of all types of contaminants . The powerful air flow and temperature will clean not only windows, but any surface.

The window must first be prepared: clean the frame, remove excess moisture. After this, moving from top to bottom, the glass is treated with steam. The advantage is 100% cleansing results even in hard-to-reach places.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to weight and size ; the device should be comfortable to hold in your hands. It is better to trust well-known manufacturers.

Do not fill the device with ordinary water. Boiled and filtered is required. The best option is distilled.

Why do mold spots appear?

To successfully cope with an unpleasant phenomenon, you need to know what it is.
Mold plaque is a fungus with an unusual structure. Under a microscope, it looks like a thin thread studded with balls. These are spores through which the body reproduces. It grows at the top, that is, it constantly stretches upward, scattering ripe spores. The biggest difficulty is that molds never live alone, only in groups. They are called colonies. Each of them strives to capture as much living space as possible, that is, to grow over the largest possible area. They do this especially well in conditions of high humidity and heating. A wet and warm environment stimulates rapid colony growth.

Fungus is a very unpleasant neighbor. Sometimes it is believed that its appearance is only an aesthetic problem. In fact, everything is much more serious. Fungal spores are a powerful allergen that provokes the appearance and further development of asthma, bronchitis, various manifestations of allergies, increasing the risk of oncology. Therefore, mold must be removed immediately. Moreover, while the colony is small, this is the easiest thing to do.

Mold appears where high humidity and temperatures above 15C combine. These are the best conditions for its development.

Causes

This:

• The installation of the window system was carried out with errors, as a result of which the double-glazed windows were depressurized.
• Lack or ineffective ventilation. Especially if the window sill and slopes are wide.
• Heavy thick curtains were chosen that do not let air through to the glass.
• Lack of ventilation, which disrupts natural air exchange.
• Seasonal changes in the microclimate in the room associated with active heating and irregular ventilation.

Plastic systems are sealed; micro-ventilation, as was the case with wooden ones, is impossible with them. Therefore, all the reasons described above inevitably lead to condensation. It accumulates in the corners of the frames, spreads along the window sill, and rises along the slope. If no measures are taken, mold will appear in the next stage.

Cleaning individual parts

It is important not only to clean the profile, but also to pay attention to individual parts of the structure.

The fittings must be wiped, all moving parts must be lubricated with machine oil or special grease for windows. After cleaning, treat the seals with silicone grease.

Drainage holes must be cleared of dirt and dust; their clogging can lead to glass freezing in winter. Wipe locks and hinges with a damp cloth and remove moisture with a napkin. Events are held twice a year.

Mosquito net

It is better to wash the structure in the bathroom:

1. The mesh should be rinsed with a shower head to remove the main dirt.
2. Prepare a solution of ammonia and water (1:3).
3. Treat the surface with it using a medium-hard brush.
4. Shake off excess liquid.
5. Remove residues with a dry, lint-free cloth.

To clean small everyday dirt on the mosquito net (dust, various particles), you can use a sticky roller to clean clothes.

This video will show you how to wash a mosquito net:

Slopes

Plastic slopes are treated like a profile. If there is no special detergent, you can use a soap solution combined with microfiber cloths .

No mechanical influences, abrasives or aggressive substances. To prevent the formation of condensation, it is necessary to treat the surface with a solution of glycerin and alcohol in a ratio of 1:20.

Windowsill

The window sill is more often susceptible to the formation of heavy dirt and stains of various origins. If the stains are fresh, a soap solution will help.

To enhance the effect, soap can be replaced with a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Adding alcohol and vinegar gives good results.

Industrial means for washing plastic in the form of a spray work well , but require compliance with safety measures during operation. The right choice of rags is also important - soft sponges and microfiber cloths are ideal.

The dirtiest places on the window sill are the cracks under the frame. You can clean them with a toothbrush.

How to care for rubber seals and fittings on plastic windows?

Many people ignore this point, but it is very important in window care. After all, broken or poorly functioning fittings will allow dust, cold, and insects to enter your home.

1. A couple of times a year - usually in spring and autumn - after general washing of the windows, you should lubricate the rubber window seals with a special silicone grease (sold in hardware stores or companies that install this type of window). If there is no lubricant, you can use glycerin. Apply the product to a soft brush or cotton swab and go over the seal.
2. The metal fastenings of the frame and the handle mechanism must also be lubricated with machine oil twice a year. Apply oil with a brush or swab to the fasteners and closing mechanism. To better distribute the oil, close and open the window wide several times. At first, it is advisable to keep the windows closed to avoid dust getting into the fresh oil. After a few days, remove oil stains, if any, with a soft cloth.

By the way, it’s useful to read: 7 types of mops for washing floors - the best choice for your home

Complex contaminants

Sometimes specific contaminants form on the profile and glass that a regular solution cannot cope with. How to deal with each of them is described in the table:

During repairs, it is advisable to cover the window with film to avoid contact with building solutions. It is not recommended to clean complex stains on plastic with a melamine sponge. It is effective, but creates microdamages on the surface.

Removing sticker marks

The sooner you start removing stickers from PVC, the better. The decisive factor here is the contact time of the sticker with the surface.

1. When removing a sticker, don’t stop halfway. You need to tear it off with a quick movement and all at once. Then the stickers can be easily removed and will not leave stains.
2. After removing the sticker, a small amount of glue remains on the plastic, which will collect dirt. To get rid of it, use the same dimexide.
3. Vegetable oil works great for removing stickers. You should tear off the label and clean the contaminated area with a sponge with oil applied to it.

Price of service in cleaning companies

Professionals offer step-by-step window cleaning, which includes washing:

• frame;
• slopes;
• window sills;
• glass

Prices for services are calculated based on:

1. Surface areas.
2. Type of cleaning.
3. Use of special equipment.
4. Cost of consumables.
5. Deadline for completing work.
6. Additional services.

The final cost depends on the region; on average in Russia it ranges from 250 to 350 rubles per sq. m. m.

Advice from professionals

Durable PVC profile is not afraid of temperature changes and any weather conditions. But an incorrectly selected product can cause irreparable damage to the surface.

To avoid mechanical damage and dissolution of stabilizer substances, the profile surface should not be used with products that contain:

• abrasive particles;
• acids;
• solvent;
• petrol;
• chlorine.

In addition, hard brushes, metal jaws and scrapers can damage the surface of the profile.

When taking care of surfaces, do not forget about your own safety:

1. Protect the skin of your hands with rubber gloves.
2. Respiratory tract with a respirator (especially when working with ammonia-based solutions).
3. Do not stand on the windowsill; it is better to use a stable stool or stepladder.

You will find a lot of important and useful information about fast and effective window cleaning in this section.

What to do if nothing helps?

Just update the window sill by gluing PVC film on it. There are classic snow-white options on sale: they will immediately return a feeling of freshness and newness to your kitchen. Of course, the film also loses color over time, but there will be no problems with updating it.

You can go further and try new colors. Perhaps even with patterns or a full-fledged design. The main thing is that they do not ripple and fit organically into your interior.

As an alternative, consider painting. Just choose an enamel that matches PVC. It will well hide all deformations of the top layer and fill the existing voids in the furrows.