Window care: frames, seals and drainage holes

Clean glass is the most visible part of a window, but a window also has a frame, seals, hinges and drainage holes. If you look after them a little twice a year, windows last longer, stay draught-free and open easily.

Frames

Clean plastic (uPVC) frames with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Do not use abrasive pastes or solvents — they make the surface rough and yellow. On wooden frames, check that the paint is intact: peeling paint lets moisture into the wood.

Seals

Rubber seals keep the window draught-proof. Over time they dry out and lose their elasticity.

• Clean the seals of dust and dirt with a damp cloth.

• Once or twice a year, treat them with a silicone-based seal care product.

• If a seal is cracked or flattened, it is worth replacing — otherwise cold air gets in.

Drainage holes

At the bottom of a uPVC window frame there are small drainage holes that let water out of the frame. If they are blocked with dust and insects, water stays inside the frame, and in winter it can freeze.

Check the holes in spring and autumn and clean them if needed with a thin stick or brush. They are usually on the lower edge of the frame, covered by a small cap.

Hinges and locks

If the window is hard to open or the handle is stiff, the hinges and locking points need lubricating. Use light machine oil or a product made for window hardware. After lubricating, open and close the window several times to spread the oil.

On many uPVC windows the locking points also let you adjust the pressure — tighter in winter, looser in summer. If you are not sure how to do it, ask your window installer.

Insect screens

Insect screens collect dust and pollen. In autumn take them off, rinse them in the shower and store them somewhere dry over winter. They will last longer, and more light will come through the window in winter.

Window sills and outer sills

Wipe moisture and condensation off the window sill, especially in winter. The outer sill should lead water away from the wall — if leaves and dirt collect there, clean it.

When to do it

The easiest is to look after your windows when they are cleaned: in spring and autumn. When we clean windows, we always clean the frames, seals and sills too. Also read how often to clean windows.

Want your windows clean, frames included? See apartment window cleaning or write to us.