How To Clean Aluminum Window Frames

Overlooking view from building glass windows on white aluminum frames

Aluminum products, including window frames, require proper care on a regular basis. Periodic cleaning and expert maintenance after installation ensure your frame stays protected from weather and other external factors.

In this post, nosotros want to talk specifically virtually how to clean oxidized aluminum window frames – something that should be washed fairly frequently. Over time, your windows will lose some of their shine, simply in serious situations, oxidation results in an ugly, deadening color (often greyness or brown). This is when y'all need to empathise the best tactics for cleaning, either on your ain or with the assistance of professionals.

What causes oxidation? Typically, anodized aluminum frames and extrusions fade or develop colored spots due to exposure to the sun. If you live shut to the sea, salty water can besides cause ugly pits and corrosion.

Let'southward talk about how yous tin expertly clean and maintain your aluminum window frames.

Clean Aluminum Windows Regularly With Intendance

Start things first: you need to keep your frames clean and devoid of droppings. We recommend using a solution of lukewarm h2o and mild detergent to do this. Apply the mixture to a standard bristled brush or cloth, and then work on removing obvious markings and dirt.

Go on in listen that potent, chlorinated cleaners should non be used to clean. These are too annoying and may cause impairment to your window frames.

Woman cleaning window frame

The longer a mark has been on your window frame, the more than challenging information technology will be to remove. That's why we recommend cleaning on a regular ground – at to the lowest degree once every three months. It'south also smart to glaze the frame with automobile wax or something similar. This helps to prevent scratches and unsightly marks.

Another thing to call back: improper cleaning will scratch drinking glass. Be extra careful when cleaning the window planes. The strongest matter you should use is isopropyl booze in a soft cloth, applied with moderate pressure. Rough brushes and/or cleaners on window panes will atomic number 82 to further damage.

If you lot have non cleaned your window frames earlier, it might be a good idea to do a trial cleaning first. Use some of your solutions and cleanse a specific area in an inconspicuous location. That way, you tin come across how your technique works and if it is safety for the residuum of your windows.

What to Exercise if Window Oxidation Spots Don't Disappear?

Dealing with some particularly stubborn oxidation areas? These may look like gray-dark-brown or white spots that soap won't remove. Don't surrender hope but yet – there are some other tactics you tin utilise to clean these troublesome areas.

Option 1: Later cleaning the frames and window, pour equal amounts of h2o and white vinegar into a bucket. White vinegar is great at breaking down mineral buildups and removing residue. Utilize the solution carefully and deliberately to the oxidized spots. If the solution doesn't do its task with simple scrubbing, you may need to brush the frame with a stainless steel wire brush.

Option 2: Postal service regular cleaning, apply a citrus-based cleaner on the problem areas with a scrub brush. This may have a little elbow grease, but thorough rubbing should make the oxidation invisible. You can too add a balmy scouring baking soda to the liquid for actress power.

Option 3: You can also purchase a commercial aluminum oxidation cleaner. Apply the cleaner to a rag, then tackle the areas with corrosion. Remember to rinse off the spots later you lot clean.

If none of these tricks work, talk to a professional aluminum window company. They'll instruct you on how to clean oxidized aluminum window frames and handle tough spots.

Maintain the Window Tracks

Your next step is to take a look at your window tracks. Over fourth dimension, dirt and gravel volition accrue in the channels where the window panes slide shut. Utilise a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment to suck upward the big pieces of debris. Then, get over the tracks with a hard bristle brush, removing fine dirt and dust.

Cleaning your tracks doesn't just keep things sanitary – it besides ensures your windows can slide smoothly. If the tracks are extremely dirty, yous may demand to apply a mixture of soap and h2o, then wash with a sponge. Remember to rinse and wipe dry out completely to avert dealing with corrosive residue.

Remove Mildew Frequently

Mold below window

Now, let's talk most mildew. When condensation forms on the inside of your window, it can reverberate higher air moisture contents within your home. This humidity can practice a few things:

Excessive interior humidity causes structural harm.
High levels of condensation may atomic number 82 to health problems due to poor air quality.
Wood rot, mold, and mildew growth may announced.

If y'all live in a cold location where yous'll exist running humidifiers and heaters all winter long, it's especially of import to scout for signs of mold and mildew. The sooner you notice something, the sooner you can address it and preclude serious wellness and structural problems that appear during infestations.

What practice yous practice if you spot mold on or around your aluminum windows? Our recommendation is to phone call in professionals to make clean. Although you tin can attempt to eradicate mold and mildew on your ain, information technology's hard to spot all of the spores with a naked eye.

To forestall the growth of mold, ensure that there'southward plenty of air circulation throughout your house – specially in bathrooms where moisture and heat are frequent visitors. Whenever you can, open your windows to allow moisture to escape and cool air to come up within.

Lastly, don't point your interior air conditioning vents or heaters directly at your insulated aluminum windows. This can increment moisture levels and pb to mold growth, discoloration, and more.

Thoroughly Lubricate Clean Aluminum Channels

Finally, if yous've already cleaned the tracks and your aluminum windows are still not sliding properly, you'll need to take an additional step. It'due south possible that the metal surfaces aren't lubricated plenty, and that makes movement difficult.

First by washing the sliding tracks with soapy dishwater. So remove all dirt and grime, rinse, and allow to dry fully. After the tracks are clean, apply a dry graphite lubricant if there is metal-to-metal contact.

Graphite is peachy because information technology doesn't attract extra dirt and dust, which tin compromise your windows. Oily lubricants, on the other hand, can cause more dirt to announced in the sliding tracks.

Tip: A little bit of lubricant goes a long style. You'll but need a couple of drops applied to friction points, like your casement window hinges. Test out the window, opening and closing it, to encounter if the tracks seem especially stuck at any point.

For More Aid With Your Aluminum Windows

worker cleaning window

Hopefully, this post has taught you a affair or two about how to clean oxidized aluminum window frames and prevent other problems, such as mold growth. Although it may seem a flake complicated to continue aluminum frames spotless, there are certainly safety, effective ways to practise so.

Do you have more than questions about installing, cleaning, or maintaining aluminum window frames? Don't hesitate to reach out to our team here at DWS Inc. We provide fast, efficient window frame installations for California residents, as well every bit a variety of other products that make maintenance, oxidation handling, and cleaning easier.

Learn all about our tactics and products by calling 510-797-4584. You tin too reach out online. We look forward to hearing from you before long!