Good quality wooden windows and doors are made with durable, long lasting timber such as Accoya, painted with long lasting microporous paint, and glazed with high performance double glazed units, to ensure they last many years without needing repair.
However, proper maintenance of timber windows, especially sash windows, is crucial for preserving their beauty and functionality. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean sash windows and maintain wooden windows effectively.
Regular cleaning and maintenance
Maintaining the pristine appearance of your timber windows and doors involves regular inspection and cleaning. Follow these steps every 6 months to ensure longevity:
Inspect windows and doors for any changes due to natural settling and seasoning processes. Look for cracks, chips, or any signs of wear. A general rinsing or cleaning process is likely to be all that is required to maintain the freshly manufactured appearance.
Windows and doors should be cleaned using a soft, non-abrasive cloth and mild, colour free detergent in warm water. Change the water regularly to remove contaminants, dirt, and traffic film, and ensure cleaning cloths are free from grit and debris to avoid scratching the surfaces.
Avoid using aggressive, alkaline, or acidic cleaners, ammonia, bleach, strong detergents, solvents or abrasive cleaners, scourers, metal scrapers or knives.
Rinse with clean water to remove all residues, but do not use hosepipes. As a general rule, do not leave detergents or other liquid cleaners on the wood for prolonged periods to prevent absorption, and avoid saturating the product. After cleaning, dry the paintwork with a soft cloth or chamois.
During cleaning, if any damage is noticed it must be repaired immediately. Failure to do so will result in reduced durability of the coating system and could affect your warranty. Please see our guide on repainting timber windows and doors for full details on protecting your windows if they are damaged or as they age.
Draught-proofing seals
Compression seals should be cleaned every 6 months or so by wiping them with a soft non-abrasive cloth and mild detergent in warm water to remove any contaminants, dirt and build-up of traffic film.
Brush seals should be cleaned periodically with a semi-rigid brush. The brush seals should be sprayed every 6 months or so with a silicone-based spray to keep the brushes soft and lubricated.
Glazing
Glass should be rinsed off with warm water and a sponge or soft cloth to remove grit and other particles. The glass can then be cleaned with warm soapy water before removing excess water and drying with a squeegee or dry soft cloth/ chamois.
DO NOT use abrasive cleaners, chemicals (particularly methylated spirits), nilglass or other alcohol-based glass cleaners, scourers, metal scrapers or knives to remove dirt / items from the glass. If required a non spirit / non alcohol based cleaner and a soft cloth can be used.
Do not leave the windows to dry naturally as in some areas water contains minerals and salts and these can/will form deposits on the glass over time. All water and cleaning solution residue should be dried from window frames, seals etc to avoid any potential deterioration of these materials.
When paint or other construction materials cannot be removed from glass by standard cleaning procedures, a new 25mm razor blade may be used on non-surface treated or non-coated glass surfaces. It should be used only on small spots and scraping carried out in one direction only. Note that this practice can cause a concentration of small hairline scratches that may be visible under certain lighting conditions.
Hardware
Check all hardware regularly, to ensure that each item works properly, and replace any damaged or worn down components before they affect the smooth operation of the window/door and other component parts.
Every 6 months or so lubricate all moving parts of the hinges, latch/locking systems, pulley wheels etc using a silicone-based lubricant. Any lubricant accidentally spilt on other parts of the window should be removed immediately.
All hinges, locks and handles etc should be regularly cleaned with a damp soft cloth. DO NOT use any chemical or abrasive cleaners, scourers or metal implements because they can damage the protective coating and lead to corrosion and tarnishing on the surface.
Different hardware finishes require slightly different cleaning processes for optimum results:
Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome, Satin Nickel, Antique Brass, Antique Pewter, Satin Steel, Bronze and Black Nickel are all produced using an electroplating process. These are virtually maintenance free and will only require periodic cleaning. Antique Black is a powder coating that also requires little maintenance and periodic cleaning.
All of our Brass products have a protective finish to enhance the aesthetic of the product and protect against tarnish to the surface. Brass products in all finishes can be further protected after cleaning by wiping over with a non-abrasive wax polish, to ensure the longevity of the finish.
Stainless Steel needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure it doesn’t corrode. Stainless Steel actually thrives with frequent cleaning and, unlike some other materials, it is impossible to ‘wear it out’ by excessive cleaning. Stainless Steel is protected with a layer of chromium oxide, which needs to be kept clean in order to maintain its anti-corrosion properties.
NB Fastening – if you want to fit additional hardware into Accoya timber, it is critical to use Stainless Steel grade fastenings to avoid future corrosion. We recommend fastenings that conform to EN10088-1 such as A2, A4 quality Stainless Steel.
Mould & Algae
Whilst mould and algae pose little initial threat to the paint surface other than the aesthetic appearance, prolonged contact can have a detrimental effect on the coating surface and lead to water absorption issues over time.
For early mould attacks, cleaning with a soft cloth and warm soapy water may be sufficient. For more persistent stains, a wipe with a solution of one part bleach to five parts water should be enough. It is very important that the area is washed thoroughly and dried after treatment.
If the discolouration persists then use of a nylon bristled brush (not metallic) can be used to remove more stubborn stains.
Need to repair or replace your sash windows? At Timbawood, we specialise in timber windows and doors for period, conservation, and listed properties. Approved by over 30 planning authorities in London and the South East, our products, including slimline double glazing, combine the look of single glazing with the benefits of double glazing.
Contact us for more information, a free survey or a quotation.
FAQs
How often should I clean my sash windows?
It’s recommended to clean your sash windows every 6 months to prevent build-up of dirt and ensure smooth operation.
What specific products should I use to clean wooden window frames?
Use a mild, colour-free detergent mixed with warm water and a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can damage the wood.
How do I know if the seals need replacing?
Inspect the seals for signs of wear, cracking, or loss of flexibility every 6 months. If they appear damaged, they should be replaced to maintain energy efficiency and prevent draughts.
Can I clean sash windows without removing them?
Yes, you can clean sash windows without removing them by carefully accessing both the interior and exterior surfaces. Use a ladder for high windows, ensuring safety measures are in place.
