Your Andersen® windows and doors play an important role in your home's look, and keeping them clean shouldn't be complicated. With regular, simple cleaning, you can keep them looking great and functioning properly for years.
How to Clean Glass, Aluminum, Vinyl, Fibrex®, and Fiberglass Surfaces
See the written instructions below for a regular cleaning routine for the glass and frames of your Andersen aluminum, vinyl, Fibrex®, or fiberglass windows and doors.
Important: Before you begin cleaning, this article will help you identify your glass type. If your window or door has Andersen HeatLock® glass:
- We do not recommend following these instructions.
- Only use mild soapy water to clean your HeatLock® glass to protect the special interior coating. Abrasive cleaners, such as CRL® Silicone Remover and Surface Preparation - Part Number SR200, cerium oxide, Soft Scrub®, or toothpaste, can damage the interior coating.
If your windows or doors are made of wood or have a Flexacron® finish, use this article to clean your glass, but refer to Cleaning Wood and Flexacron® Surfaces on Andersen® Windows or Patio Doors to clean your frame surfaces.
400 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Windows with Lower Sash in Cleaning Mode
When to Use This Article
We recommend following the instructions in this article to clean the glass, aluminum, vinyl, Fibrex® material, and fiberglass surfaces on your Andersen windows and doors at least once a year. If you live in a coastal, industrial, or agricultural area with higher levels of airborne particles, like dirt, dust, smoke, and salt spray, we recommend following these instructions at least every three (3) months.
Cleaning your window and door glass on a cloudy day will give you the best results. Cleaning in direct sunlight can cause streaks or cleaning products to dry on the glass of your windows and doors.
This Article Will Help You:
- Understand which cleaning products are safe to use on your Andersen products.
- Identify your Andersen product's glass type.
- Clean your entire Andersen aluminum, vinyl, Fibrex® material, or fiberglass product.
- Get answers to FAQs related to cleaning Andersen products.
Tools and Supplies Needed
- Four (4) soft cleaning cloths
- Mild soapy water or any Andersen® approved cleaning product (see below)
- Squeegee
Andersen-Approved Cleaning Products
Using any of these cleaning products is suitable for most types of glass* and aluminum, vinyl, Fibrex® material, and fiberglass surfaces on Andersen windows and doors under ambient temperature conditions.
We recommend these products because they are compatible with Andersen windows and doors. Using other products not listed here could damage your Andersen product.
- 50/50% solution of distilled white vinegar and water
- Windex® Original Glass Cleaner
- Sprayway® 050 Glass Cleaner
- Glass Plus® Cleaner
- Mr. Clean® Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Soft Scrub® Multi-Surface Cleaner*
- Fantastik® Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Formula 409® Multi-Surface Cleaner
- CRL® Silicone Remover and Surface Preparation - Part Number SR200
- CRL® Sparkle Cleaner and Stain Remover
- Goo Gone® Original Adhesive Remover
- Goo Gone® Goo & Adhesive Remover Gel Spray
*These products are not suitable for use on Andersen® HeatLock® glass.
*We do not recommend using Soft Scrub® Multi-Surface Cleaner on Ensemble® entry door products.
Let's Get Started
1. Identify Your Andersen Glass Type
To avoid using a cleaner that could harm your glass, it is important to identify your glass type before cleaning.
Locate the Andersen glass logo on your window or door. The etched logo consists of letters and numbers that are used to identify the glass type.
For additional information on identifying your glass type, see Identify Glass Type on Andersen® Windows and Patio Doors.
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Andersen logo indicating glass without HeatLock coating:
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Andersen logo indicating glass with HeatLock coating:
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If your product doesn't have HeatLock glass:
- Continue with this article.
- It is safe to clean your product with any of the Andersen-approved cleaning products listed under "Tools and Supplies Needed."
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If your product has HeatLock glass:
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If you cannot locate the logo or need help finding it, Contact Andersen® Windows and Doors.
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2. Clean Window and Door Glass and Frame Surfaces
- Remove interior grilles if your window or door has them.
- Use a dry soft cleaning cloth to remove any dust, debris, or grease from the glass and frame.
- Clean the glass and frame with an Andersen-approved cleaning product and a soft cloth.
- Dry the glass with a squeegee or soft cloth. Then dry off the frame with a soft cloth.
Warning: If a ladder or scaffolding is needed, make sure it is secure and that care is taken during cleaning. Failure to do so could result in injury.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What products should I avoid using on my window and door glass?
A: Using any of these products on your Andersen windows and doors can cause damage to the glass or frame:
- Abrasive cleaning products or tools, like sandpaper or steel wool
- Ethanol or other alcohol-based cleaning products or wipes
- Power washers or pressurized cleaning tools
- Newspaper to dry glass, as the ink may stain the glass or surrounding materials
- Metal razor blades
- Ketones (MEK, MIBK) or xylene as a surface conditioner to clean the material's surface
Q: How can I protect my glass when using an acid-based masonry cleaner on my house?
A: If you use an acid-based masonry cleaner on the outside of your home, make sure to:
- Avoid applying the cleaner on any glass surfaces or frame materials.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
- Cover or protect windows and doors before using masonry cleaners.
- Rinse all surfaces immediately with clean water if acid contacts the product.
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