Use a mild solution
Lukewarm water, a small amount of mild non-bleach washing-up liquid and a clean soft cloth are the safest starting point.
Customer support
Caring for your products
A practical guide to keeping white, coloured and woodgrain-effect uPVC windows and doors clean, clear and working smoothly.
Start gently, never force moving parts, and let the product-specific instructions supplied with your installation take precedence.
01
Start here
The gentle baseline
The same four rules protect most uPVC frames, decorative finishes and visible hardware.
Remove grit first
Brush, vacuum or rinse away loose dirt before wiping so particles are not dragged across the frame or glass.
Keep products separate
Do not let glass cleaner or lubricant run onto frames, gaskets, drainage routes, painted walls or other finishes.
Never force movement
A stiff handle, catching sash or dropped door usually needs adjustment. Repeated force can damage the mechanism.
02
Plan your checks
A practical care routine
These intervals are a starting point. Increase care where salt, traffic film, industry, trees or heavy daily use create more dirt.
Normal exposure
About every 3 months
Wash frames, glass and gaskets. Inspect rebates, tracks, vents and drainage routes.
Coastal or polluted
About monthly
Rinse salt or traffic film with fresh water, then wash gently and dry exposed hardware.
Busy doors and tracks
Check more often
Vacuum grit before it builds up. Wipe spills promptly and never grease a track by default.
| When | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| As needed | Wipe spills and bird mess, remove grit from tracks and dry pooled room-side condensation. | Fresh contamination is easier to remove without aggressive products. |
| Monthly to quarterly | Wash frames and gaskets. Clean glass. Brush or vacuum rebates, drainage slots, vents and thresholds. | Prevents film, grit and blocked routes from building up. |
| Spring and autumn | Inspect seals, exterior sealant, handles, hinges, lock points and restrictors. Check that units close without force. | Finds wear or movement before it becomes a failed part or security problem. |
| After storms or nearby work | Rinse salt and wind-blown grit. Check for leaves, plaster, mortar, paint or adhesive while contamination is fresh. | Cured residue and embedded grit can damage glass, foil and hardware. |
03
Frames and finishes
White and coloured uPVC
Treat every coloured or woodgrain-effect surface as a decorative finish unless your project paperwork confirms otherwise.
White uPVC
Gentle first - stronger only when approved
- 1Choose a cool time. Avoid strong sun and clean only accessible surfaces.
- 2Lift loose dirt. Soft-brush, vacuum or rinse corners, rebates and grooves first.
- 3Wash gently. Use the mild solution and a clean soft cloth or sponge.
- 4Rinse and dry. Remove detergent from joints and gaskets, then inspect.
If a mark remains, repeat the mild wash after a brief soak. Use a specialist cleaner only when the exact profile maker or installer approves it.
Coloured & foiled
Protect the decorative outer layer
- Use low pressure and wipe a textured foil gently in the grain direction.
- Remove temporary transport film promptly as directed.
- Do not polish, wax, sand, paint or attach long-term adhesive film.
- Do not scrape dried plaster, render, paint or sealant.
- Report peeling, bubbling, deep scratches or a permanent change in sheen.
Small changes in movement can accompany temperature changes. Persistent catching or lock misalignment still needs assessment.
Safe baseline
- Lukewarm clean water
- Mild non-bleach washing-up liquid
- Clean soft cloth or sponge
- Soft brush and vacuum nozzle
- Separate clean cloth for drying
Do not use
- Bleach, acetone, white spirit, thinner, acids or strong alkalis
- Abrasive cream, powder, scourers, steel wool or wire brushes
- Blades, scrapers or DIY scratch-polishing products
- Steam cleaners or pressure washers
- Unidentified general-purpose sprays or solvents
04
Accessible components
Glass, seals, drainage & vents
Clean visible, accessible surfaces only. Glazing beads, sealed-unit edges and internal components are not customer-serviceable parts.
Glass and decorative glazingCleaning method and coated glass
- 1Remove jewellery. Rings, watches and hard buckles can scratch glass and frames.
- 2Flush away grit. Never drag dry dust across the pane.
- 3Wash. Use warm soapy water and a clean lint-free cloth.
- 4Finish top to bottom. If desired, use ordinary glass cleaner and a clean squeegee, then wipe edges dry.
Special glass needs its own instructions
Follow the glass-maker guidance for self-cleaning, low-maintenance, coated, leaded or applied-bar glazing. Do not add aftermarket rain-repellent treatments unless approved.
Never use a razor blade. Keep fresh building splash wet, dab and rinse repeatedly. Stop and ask for advice if residue has cured.
Gaskets and perimeter sealsWhat to inspect and what not to repair
- Wash gaskets with the frame, then rinse and dry.
- Inspect for tears, shrinkage, flattening or a section that repeatedly pulls away.
- If a still-attached section has lifted slightly, press it back gently with a clean thumb from the attached area.
- Do not use a pointed tool, glue, paint, oil or grease on a gasket by default.
- Do not remove glazing beads or attempt to reach the sealed-unit edge.
- Arrange assessment of cracked or gapped frame-to-wall sealant rather than covering the joint yourself.
Drainage routes and rebatesKeep designed water paths clear
- 1Open safely. Keep fingers clear and never disconnect a restrictor.
- 2Vacuum debris. Lift insects, leaves and grit from rebates and lower channels.
- 3Wipe and inspect. Do not insert wire, blades or sharp tools into slots.
- 4Gently flush. If safely accessible, use a small amount of clean water and confirm it emerges outside.
Tracks, thresholds and trickle ventsGrit control and clear air paths
Tracks and thresholds
- Vacuum first, then use a soft brush and damp cloth.
- Dry the track. Do not oil or grease it unless its manual specifically says so.
- Keep stones, pet hair and mud away from roller paths and door keeps.
Trickle vents
- Vacuum the grille with a soft brush attachment.
- Wipe the visible cover with a damp cloth and mild solution.
- Do not tape, paint, stuff or dismantle the vent.
05
Smooth operation
Caring for windows & doors
Hardware layouts vary. Use the operation shown at handover and stop as soon as resistance, rubbing or misalignment returns.
Windows
Operate without strain
- Unlock fully, guide the sash and keep control in windy weather.
- Bring the sash fully into the frame before moving the handle to closed.
- Check restrictors, hinge covers and visible lock points twice yearly.
- Follow the exact handle sequence for tilt-and-turn or reversible windows.
1Close
2Lift
3Lock
Doors - where fitted
Close squarely before locking
- Keep thresholds, latches, keeps and bottom corners free of grit.
- Do not use the key, handle or letterplate to pull a door into alignment.
- For lift-to-lock doors, close firmly, lift fully and then turn the key.
- Vacuum sliding or folding tracks; do not oil running surfaces by default.
06
Indoor moisture
Where is the condensation?
Where moisture appears is the first clue. Condensation is not automatically a window fault, but persistent damp should not be ignored.
Room-side surface
Ventilate and manage moisture
Humid indoor air is meeting a cooler pane or frame. Use extractors, keep vents clear, maintain some steady heat and wipe pooled water.
Outside surface
Often a sign of efficient glass
The outer pane can remain cold enough for dew. This is often seasonal and usually clears as the day warms.
Between sealed panes
Contact us or the supplier
Mist, droplets or a tide mark inside the sealed unit can indicate edge-seal failure. Photograph it from two angles.
Everyday ventilation habits
- Keep trickle vents open and unblocked where they provide background ventilation.
- Use kitchen and bathroom extractors during moisture production and for their recommended run-on time.
- Close internal doors while cooking or bathing.
- Air rooms without leaving openings unsafe or unattended.
- Avoid drying clothes indoors without suitable extraction or dehumidification.
- Address persistent mould, damp or unexplained water promptly.
07
First checks
Troubleshooting safely
Stop as soon as the next step would involve force, dismantling, realignment or unsafe access.
| What you notice | Safe first check | Contact us when |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff handle or key | Remove visible grit and confirm the sash or door is fully closed and square. Try once gently. | Resistance returns, the handle will not complete its travel, or the key will not turn normally. |
| Sash or door catches | Check the track, sill and keeps for loose dirt or an object. Do not alter screws. | It still rubs, has dropped, needs lifting or shows hinge or lock misalignment. |
| Draught or whistle | Check the unit is fully closed, vents are in their intended position and visible gaskets are clean. | A seal is torn or displaced, perimeter sealant is split, or the symptom persists. |
| Water in a rebate | Soft-brush or vacuum the lower channel and drainage slots; gently wipe and flush if safe. | Water pools, reaches the room side, staining develops, or the route will not clear. |
| Loose or damaged seal | If still attached, press a small lifted area back gently with a clean thumb. Do not glue it. | It is torn, shrunken, flattened, repeatedly lifts or will not sit evenly. |
| Mist between panes | Check both accessible surfaces are dry and photograph the mist from two angles. | Moisture or a tide mark is confirmed inside the sealed unit. |
| Cracked glass or loose hardware | Keep people away and stop operating the unit. Do not tape over a mechanism or remove parts. | Immediately - especially if glass, a hinge, restrictor, fixing or escape route is unsafe. |
| Foil change or stubborn stain | Stop after the mild wash. Photograph the colour, texture, bubbling, peeling or residue. | The finish remains marked or shows a change in gloss, colour, adhesion or texture. |
A useful service report
Show us where, when and what changed
Include the customer name and installation address, approximate installation date, which window or door is affected, when the issue began, one wide photo and one close-up. A short movement video can help when it is safe to record.
Urgent safety issue
Stop using the unit
Keep cracked glass, a loose or unsupported sash, failed restrictor, insecure entrance door or unsafe escape window out of use and report it promptly.
Keep it handy
Download, save or ask for help
The printable guide includes a seasonal checklist and care record. Your written quotation, contract, guarantee, handover pack and exact product instructions take precedence over this general guidance.