Window frames made of aluminum are prone to attracting dust and dirt, which makes them lose their shine over time. You need both outdoor and indoor cleaning to clean these window frames. A combination of household products and commercial solutions can be used to clean the frames. Always remember to follow the instructions on the commercial cleaners to avoid damaging your frames. Before we explain how to clean those window frames, did you know that you can find the best window cleaners or fensterreiniger over at Helpling?
Cleaning Frames Outdoors
1. For the first step, you need to douse the frames in water using a hose. This will help you get rid of much of the grime and dirt and will allow you to clean the frames more efficiently. In case you do not have a hose, you can use a bucket of water to get the frames wet.
2. Use a cleaner to remove the greasy spots. You can get a solvent-based cleaner at your local store or online. Before using it, make sure the cleaner has been made for use on aluminum. Follow the instruction manual that comes with the cleaner to ensure you are using it right. Most cleaners need to be kept on the stain for some time before wiping.
3. A paste made from lemon juice and baking soda can be used after you have applied the commercial cleaner. This mixture will help you get rid of a lot of grime from aluminum and make it look shiny. Make the mixture using 120 ml of lemon juice and ½ cup of baking soda.
4. The paste can be applied using a rag or sponge. Make sure the paste remains on the windows till it has dried up. How long this will take will depend on the climate in your area. Apply the paste to the entire frame, especially on the cracks and crevices.
5. After the paste has dried up, you can use a damp sponge to remove it. Rinse off any remaining traces of the paste or the commercial cleaner using water. The residue might end up damaging the material, so make sure you keep rinsing till the water appears clean.
Cleaning Frames Indoors
1. Before you begin to clean, make your frames wet. This will loosen the layer of dirt loose and make your cleaning process easier. Get a wet sponge and run it over the full frame including the cracks and crevices. Use small tools like a brush for the hard-to-reach areas.
2. You can use the same cleaner that you used for outdoor cleaning. They are just as safe for your indoor frames. Along with the solvent-based commercial cleaning, use the paste made of baking soda and lemon juice for an effective cleaning process.
3. You can use a scouring pad to clean. The scouring pad will help to dislodge the dirt from the frame. These pads can be purchased from most of the departmental stores near you and are usually used in kitchens.
4. Use the solvent cleaner first and then the baking soda and lemon juice paste. Let them stay on for as long as the instructions mention. Allow the paste to dry out before you begin to rinse the frames.
5. Make sure to properly rinse off all the solution, paste, and other dirt from the frames. After the frames have been rinsed thoroughly, clean out the rest of the water using a dry cloth. Since the frames are indoors, they won’t dry out as quickly as the outdoor frames. You need to manually dry them after they have been cleaned. You can use some fine steel wool and water to polish the frames to get a clean shine.
Conclusion
For stains that are harder to clean using commercial cleaners, you can use steel wool with a paint thinner. Be careful with all the materials and chemicals you use. It is always a good idea to apply a small amount of cleaner to the frame to make sure it does not damage the frame.
