Viwinco Windows | Window Care

Viwinco windows - how to clean your windows

29 Mar

Spring Cleaning: Window Care and Maintenance Tips

After a seemingly never-ending Winter of record-high precipitation, and bone-chilling temperatures throughout the Midwest and the Northeast, Spring has finally arrived. Officially beginning March 20th, Spring indicates the beginning of warmer weather, longer daylight hours and trees beginning to bud. Like most of us, you are eager to open your windows and vent your home with clean, warm air, but before you do so you need to ensure that your windows are well-maintained and ready to perform through the warmer months.

Vinyl Window Care

One of the key benefits of vinyl windows is the low amount of window care and maintenance they require over wooden windows. From an operational standpoint, there is not much you need to do in order to keep your windows performing well, however, the occasional quick cleaning will keep your windows looking brand new.

To easily clean the vinyl on your window, wipe it down with a mild dish detergent and water solution using a soft non-abrasive cloth. Using more water can reduce the likelihood of residue being left on the vinyl after being cleaned.

Over time, the tracks and sills in your windows and patio doors will accumulate dirt and dust. You can keep them clean by periodically scrubbing the tracks with a soft brush and vacuuming loose dirt and debris.

Make sure to clear any debris coving the weep holes to prevent improper water drainage.

Glass Care

The Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) is arguably the most important part of the window as it is the transparent section that allows visible light into the home. Over time, your glass will become dirty and will require some cleaning to maintain your ideal view.

To clean the glass panes, we recommend spraying them with a glass cleaning solution such as Windex® and wiping it down with a soft cloth to eliminate streaks.

Viwinco windows allow for easy cleaning on our single- and double-hung windows through the use of our “Tilt-n- Lock” feature. The Tilt-n-Lock enables one-handed operation and inward sash tilting which allows you to safely clean the exterior of your window from the interior of your home.

If you notice that your IGU appears cloudy in between the window panes, this may be an indication of a seal failure in which we recommend contacting your distributor so they can further investigate the claim.

Screen Care

Although they play an important part in protecting your home from the outside elements, screens are often neglected when it comes to cleaning your windows. Whether you take your screen out for Winter or leave it in year round, it is likely that it has accumulated dust/ pollen build-up.

To best clean your screens, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe both sides of the screen from left to right, top to bottom. Be careful to not apply too much pressure when cleaning the screens so that you do not create a tear.

If your screen does have a tear in it, make sure to notify the distributor you purchased it from so they can help get it replaced and prevent insects and allergens from entering your home.

Things to be Aware of in Regard to Window Care

Although vinyl windows are relatively easy to maintain, there are some things that you want to avoid in regard to window care and maintenance.

Avoid using strong solvents, acids, and abrasive pads to clean the vinyl.
Acids and solvents can be corrosive to the vinyl. Abrasive pads can scratch the vinyl. This can become more noticeable if your window has a color laminate as it will expose the layer beneath.
Do not use a hose or a power washer to clean your windows. Windows are tested for structural, wind and water resistance and certified to varying design pressure ratings, however, water sprayed from a hose or power washer can exceed these design pressure values and can result in damaging your windows.
Do not apply films, tints, stains or paint your windows. Doing either of these will automatically void the window’s warranty.
Do not apply petroleum-based lubricants to the windows hardware. Petroleum-based lubricants such as WD40® can have adverse effects on your product such as build-up when the lubricant dries, which will cause further operational issues in your product. If you’re noticing resistance when trying to open or close your window, you could apply silicone spray in the balance channel to help the window slide easier.