Keep your new windows and doors looking and working like new.
Modern windows and doors need very little looking after. A quick clean and check a couple of times a year keeps them sealing well, opening smoothly and looking their best for many years.
- A few minutes, twice a year
- No special products needed
- Helps them last for decades
The 10-minute routine, twice a year
Spring and autumn are the best times. Work through each window and door:
- Wash the frames and sills with warm, soapy water
- Clean the glass with a soft cloth and glass cleaner
- Wipe the rubber seals and check they sit flat
- Clear the drainage holes and door tracks
- Oil hinges, stays and locks, then open and close a few times
- Check that every lock and handle works smoothly
Caring for your frames
Each material needs slightly different care.
uPVC & composite
Soapy water is all you need
Wash with warm water and a little washing-up liquid, rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
- No scourers or abrasive creams
- No bleach, solvents or white spirit
- Composite doors: never paint the skin
Timber
Look after the paint
Clean with a mild soapy solution and check the paintwork each year, especially on sills and lower rails.
- Touch up chips or cracks promptly
- Repaint when the finish looks tired
- Never paint over seals or sliding faces
Aluminium & steel
Gentle cleaning
Wash the powder-coated finish with soapy water, rinse and dry. Near the sea or busy roads, clean more often.
- No abrasive pads or polishes
- Rinse off salt and grime
- Keep sliding tracks free of grit
Glass, seals and moving parts
Glass
Use a soft cloth or squeegee with warm soapy water or a glass cleaner. Never scrape the glass with blades or metal tools – it can scratch special coatings.
Seals and gaskets
Wipe the rubber seals with a damp cloth. If a seal looks loose, torn or out of place, let us know rather than pulling it.
Hinges, stays and locks
Once or twice a year, apply a light machine oil or silicone spray to moving parts. Do not grease friction stays heavily – a light touch is enough.
Drainage holes and tracks
The small slots at the bottom of frames let rainwater out. Keep them clear of dirt and leaves, and vacuum bi-fold and sliding door tracks regularly.
Sash windows
Keep the runners clean. A little candle wax or silicone spray on the staff beads keeps the sashes sliding smoothly. Never paint the sliding faces.
Doors
Lift the handle fully before turning the key, so the multi-point lock engages properly. If a door starts to drop or catch, call us – it is usually a quick adjustment.
What to avoid
- Pressure washers near frames and seals
- Abrasive pads, scourers and polishes
- Bleach, solvents and white spirit
- Painting uPVC, composite or the seals
- Drilling into frames to fit blinds without advice
- Leaning ladders against the glass or frames
- Hanging heavy items on open windows or doors
- Blocking trickle vents and drainage holes
Condensation and ventilation
New windows seal much better than old ones, so moisture from cooking, showers and drying clothes has fewer ways to escape. To keep condensation down:
- Keep trickle vents open, especially in bedrooms
- Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
- Open windows for a few minutes each day
- Avoid drying washing on radiators where possible
Your certificates and guarantee
Keep your FENSA certificate (or Building Control sign-off for new builds) and your InstallSure guarantee with your house documents – you will need them if you sell your home. If anything is not working as it should, contact us first: many small issues are simple adjustments, and work covered by your guarantee is put right free of charge.
Need help? Call 020 3489 6700 or send us a message with a few photos, and we will advise you.
Aftercare: frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my windows and doors?
Clean the glass whenever it needs it, and give the frames, seals and hardware a quick clean and check twice a year, ideally in spring and autumn.
What should I clean uPVC and aluminium frames with?
Warm water with a little washing-up liquid and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse with clean water and dry. Avoid abrasive pads, scourers, bleach and solvents, as they can scratch or dull the finish.
How do I lubricate the locks and hinges?
Once or twice a year, apply a light machine oil or silicone spray to moving parts such as hinges, friction stays and the locking mechanism, then open and close the window or door a few times. Wipe away any excess.
Why do I get condensation on my windows?
Condensation is caused by moisture in the air inside your home meeting a cooler surface. Keep trickle vents open, use extractor fans when cooking or showering, and air rooms regularly to reduce it.
Can I use a pressure washer on my windows and doors?
We do not recommend it. A pressure washer can force water past the seals and damage gaskets and finishes. A bucket of soapy water and a soft brush or cloth is all you need.
Who do I contact if something does not work properly?
Call us on 020 3489 6700 or send us a message with a few photos. If your windows or doors are still under guarantee, we will arrange to put things right.
Related: Installation types · Window & door repairs · Survey services
Questions about your windows or doors?
Send us a message with a few photos, or call our team – we are always happy to help.
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