Your Andersen® interior removable grilles play an important role in your home's look, and keeping them in good condition shouldn't be complicated. You can easily care for your grilles in just a few simple steps.
How to Clean and Care for Your Interior Removable Grilles
See the written instructions below for a regular cleaning routine for your interior removable grilles, the ornamental bars applied to window glass that create a pattern. This article will also direct you to the right places for long-term care of your interior grilles, such as touch-ups, refinishing, or repairs, if needed.
Illustration of an Interior Removable Grille and Permanent Exterior Grille on a Window Pane
When to Use This Article
We recommend following the instructions in this article to inspect and clean your interior removable grilles 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.
This Article Will Help You:
- Remove and clean your interior removable grilles.
- Touch up or refinish your interior removable grilles if needed.
- Understand what to do if you have a damaged interior removable grille.
Tools and Supplies Needed
- Four (4) soft cleaning cloths
- Mild soapy water
- Clean water
If you plan to paint, stain, or repair an interior removable grille, you may need more supplies.
Let's Get Started
1. Remove Interior Removable Grilles
Before checking the condition or cleaning, remove your interior grilles.
- Disengage the fasteners or plungers one at a time, starting at the bottom end of the grille.
- Release the fasteners or plungers along the sides. Do not pull from the center of the grille.
Be aware that removal steps may vary slightly depending on the type of grille fastener or plunger on your Andersen window or patio door. For model-specific instructions, see Identifying and Installing Grille Fasteners for Removable Interior Grilles on Andersen® Windows and Doors.
Important: Do not use these instructions for exterior grilles. Andersen permanently applies exterior grilles to the window or patio door glass. For more information, see Are Andersen® Exterior Grilles Removable?
2. Clean Interior Removable Grilles
- Use a dry, soft cleaning cloth to remove any dust, debris, or grease.
- Clean the grille with mild soapy water and a clean soft cloth. For stubborn dirt and grime, use products like Mr. Clean, Soft Scrub, or rubbing alcohol.
- Wet another soft cloth with fresh water and wipe off any soap residue.
- Dry the grille thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Important: Do not use abrasive cleaning products or tools, as they may scratch or damage your grille.
For instructions on cleaning the glass on your windows and doors, see here: Clean Glass, Aluminum, Vinyl, Fibrex®, and Fiberglass Surfaces on Andersen® Windows and Doors.
Touch-Up and/or Refinish Interior Removable Grilles
If an interior removable grille needs a refresh, matching 1/2-ounce touch-up paint bottles 
are available through the Andersen Parts Store.
Touch-up stain can only be purchased by contacting Andersen or at your local Andersen retailer.
For project-specific directions, see:
Repair Interior Removable Grilles
If an interior removable grille breaks where the vertical and horizontal bars meet, you can fix it with wood glue. For complete instructions on repairing interior grilles, see Repair Interior Removable Grilles on Andersen® Windows and Doors.
If a grille feels loose but is not broken, remove it from your window. Then, improve the fit by slightly bending the fasteners toward the grille. This will increase tension.
Need Parts?
We recommend that you replace your interior grilles and/or fasteners if they have missing pieces, cracks, have shattered, or show too much damage to be repaired. You can order the correct parts through the Andersen Parts Store.
For more help with ordering or installation of parts, see:
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