Modern windows and doors need very little attention, and never need painting. A simple routine in spring and autumn will keep them looking and working as they did on the day they were fitted.
Frames
- Wash with warm water and a little washing-up liquid on a soft cloth, then rinse and dry
- Never use abrasive cream cleaners, scouring pads, bleach, solvent or white spirit, which dull the surface and damage woodgrain foils and powder coating
- Open each window and wipe out the rebate where dirt collects
Glass
Use any proprietary glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Remove rings before cleaning: a diamond will scratch glass. Stubborn marks will usually shift with a non-abrasive cream. Leaded and decorative glass should be cleaned gently with a damp cloth only.
Hinges, locks and handles
- Once a year, put a drop of light machine oil on hinge pivots and on the moving parts of the locking mechanism along the edge of the sash or door
- Do not oil the friction pads on window stays, and do not spray oil into lock cylinders; a puff of graphite powder is all a cylinder needs
- Check that handle screws are snug
- On composite and uPVC doors, lift the handle fully before turning the key so that all the locking points engage
Seals and drainage
Wipe the rubber gaskets with a damp cloth and check they are seated in their grooves. Every frame has small drainage slots along the bottom edge that let rainwater out; make sure they are not blocked by dirt or paint. On sliding and bifold doors, vacuum the bottom track regularly so grit does not wear the rollers.
Conservatory roofs
Clear leaves from gutters and box gutters in autumn. Wash roof glass with a soft brush on a pole and never walk on the roof. Self-cleaning glass needs only an occasional rinse with a hose in dry spells.
