Cleaning Products

• Choose a nonabrasive cleaning product to clean vinyl window frames in most cases. Soapy water (made with dish detergent), water mixed with vinegar, a spray cleaner such as Fantastik, or a multisurface cleaner such as Mr. Clean Multi-surfaces Liquid Cleaner are all good choices. If there is a stubborn stain that isn't removed by one of these, try a cleanser that is mildly abrasive, such as Soft Scrub or Comet. To clean the window itself, use a cleaner meant for glass to avoid streaking. Read the product label to determine if the product is meant for vinyl or glass. Generally, detergent-type products can be used to clean stubborn stains on glass or to disinfect if necessary, but then the glass will need to be cleaned again with a glass cleaner to get rid of streaks left by the detergent.
  
  

Tools to Use

• A soft cloth or paper towels are the best items to use to apply the cleaner. When washing the glass, wipe the glass with a cloth. Try using this damp cloth to clean the window frame before using anything else, as this might be enough for most normal dust and dirt. Another option for cleaning the window is to use a squeegee tool with an absorbent cloth attachment on one side and a squeegee on the other. Wet the cloth with a solution of water and vinegar and apply to the glass, then squeegee it dry, moving from top to bottom. Wipe the squeegee with a rag between uses to keep it dry. The rag you used to dry the squeegee is another option for cleaning the window frame once it gets wet. For more difficult dirt, a brush with soft bristles can be used on the window frame.
  
  

What Not to Use

• Cleaners containing ammonia may have an adverse effect on the vinyl so they are not recommended. Other products to avoid are liquid bleach, grease remover, strong detergents, organic solvents, acetone and furniture polish. Check the label to determine ingredients, since some spray cleaners contain ammonia or bleach. Also avoid any cleanser that has a strong abrasive quality, and avoid steel wool and similar scouring pad items.
  
  

Safety

• Read the manual that came with the window to learn about tilt-in features designed to make it easier to clean windows from the inside, especially those on upper stories that are inaccessible from the ground. Practice common sense when leaning out of windows or when using ladders. Don't stand on the top rungs of step ladders, and don't prop a step ladder against the wall. Have someone hold the ladder if the ground is uneven, and never work on a ladder when you are alone. Obtain a long handle for a squeegee attachment to avoid having to climb a ladder, if possible.