Best Cleaning Techniques for Plastic Windows

While most homes that are built today have standard glass or plexiglass windows, some are built with plastic windows. Plastic has a number of advantages over glass; it can be easier and cheaper to build to a custom size and shape, it can oftentimes be sturdier than glass, and it will hold its shape much better over time. As a homeowner of a building with plastic windows, however, it's likely that you've noticed that these types of windows tend to be much more difficult to clean completely than glass windows. Read on for a brief guide on how to keep your plastic windows sparkling and clean.

Cleaning Solutions

Plastic windows tend to gather up more dirt, dust and debris than glass windows because they have a minor static charge to them. Small particles are, therefore, much more likely to stick to plastic windows than to glass ones. This means that you'll have to use different techniques for cleaning plastic windows than you would normally for glass windows.

One of the best cleaning solutions for plastic windows is one that isn't harmful or poisonous at all: warm water and vinegar. Mix 4 parts of warm water with 1 part vinegar, and stir the mixture thoroughly. While it's still warm, apply it with a rag or a spray bottle to the plastic windows, and allow it to sit for a moment. This will oftentimes help to clear up the dirt and grime that can build up on these types of windows in particular.

There are many other commercially available solutions that are also effective. Many specialized plastic cleaning solutions will help to do the same thing just as effectively. However, these solutions do tend to also be somewhat more caustic and may pose a health risk to you, your family, or your pets.

Scrubbing the Windows

After allowing the specialized solution to soak into the windows a bit, rub it down with a clean rag. The key to keeping your windows as clean as possible is to use an appropriate cloth to clean them. Cloths that have small particles that tend to rub off may actually make the plastic windows even dirtier than they were before you attempted to wash them. Use a rag that you'd use to clean a pair of eyeglasses instead.

Rub the windows gently, and be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can cause the windows to be smudged instead.

Repeating

If your windows aren't fully clean when you wash them off for the first time, you'll then want to scrub them down and repeat the process again. Be sure to let the solution dry on the windows after you've scrubbed them down before you repeat.

It's important to wash your plastic windows frequently in order to prevent dirt and debris from building up unnecessarily on them. All of the supplies that you'll need are available at a home maintenance store.