PVC window maintenance: what, when and how
In short: A PVC window needs little maintenance, but not none. Mild soapy water for the frame, the seals and hardware once a year, and clear drainage holes – that is enough for the window to close easily and seal well for years.
Maintenance plan at a glance
What | How often | With what |
|---|---|---|
Glass | as needed | ordinary glass cleaner, soft cloth |
Profile (frame and sash) | 2–4 times a year | lukewarm water and a little washing-up liquid |
Drainage holes in the bottom of the frame | twice a year | small brush, thin stick |
Seals (gaskets) | once a year | clean, then silicone spray or seal care product |
Hardware (moving parts) | once a year | a drop of acid-free oil or hardware grease |
The best time is late summer or early autumn, before the heating season.
The profile: gently, without scratching
Clean PVC with lukewarm water, a little washing-up liquid and a soft cloth or sponge. Then wipe it dry.
Never use:
abrasive cleaners or scouring powder;
the rough side of a sponge, steel wool, a razor blade or a knife;
thinners, acetone, petrol or strong degreasers.
They scratch the surface or change its colour. This applies even more to decor profiles (wood or anthracite-look foil).
A protective film may remain on the window after installation. Remove it within the first few weeks, because it shrinks in the sun and becomes hard to peel off.
Drainage holes: small but important
In the bottom of the frame, under the sash, there are small holes that let rain and condensation water out. If dust or leaves block them, water stays in the frame. Open the sash and clear them with a small brush or a thin stick.
Seals: keeping the window tight
The rubber seals are what make a window airtight, watertight and quiet. Once a year, wipe them with a damp cloth and treat them with silicone spray or a seal care product. This keeps them soft and stops them sticking to the sash in winter.
If a seal is cracked, hardened or has come out of its groove, it needs replacing – get in touch with us.
Hardware: a drop of oil and a few turns
The hardware is the metal parts that move and lock the sash. Once a year:
Wipe the dust off the visible parts of the hardware.
Put a drop of acid-free oil or a little hardware grease on the moving parts and locking points.
Open and close the sash a few times and turn the handle to every position to spread the lubricant.
If the sash sticks, rubs against the frame or the handle is hard to turn, do not force it shut. It means the hardware needs adjusting.
When to call us
the sash is hard to close or rubs against the frame;
you feel a draught even with the window closed;
a seal is cracked or has come out;
the glass has misted up between the panes (this means the glass unit is damaged).
Windows we install come with a 5-year guarantee on the profile, hardware and installation. The glass unit (for example, misting between the panes) has a 2-year guarantee, as provided by the glass manufacturer.