CARING FOR YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS

When it comes to home improvement projects, such as maintenance, remember to think safety first. If you need a ladder to reach every part of your window while cleaning, take precautions. Have someone hold the ladder, and wear shoes that support balance and stability. When working with primers, paints, stains, and cleaning solutions, wear protective eyewear and clothing, and be sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions for safe use and disposal.

• Soak the glass surface with clean water to loosen dirt and debris
• Make sure there are no abrasive particles on the glass
• Apply an approved cleaning solution, or mild soap, with a non-abrasive cloth
• Quickly remove the cleaning solution with a rubber squeegee, taking care not to allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass surface
• Wipe remaining traces of cleaning solution from glass and other parts of the window and frame to avoid deterioration from dampness
• Remember to remove labels and adhesive residue from the glass as soon as possible after installation
• Use an approved cleaning solution if a label is hard to remove

• Carefully remove window screens and lay them on a flat, clean area (If it’s a door screen, remove them from the exterior)
• Remove any dust by lightly spraying the screen with water from a hose or vacuuming with a soft brush extension
• Let the screen air-dry completely before reinstalling

• Glass Plus® Glass Cleaner
• Green Works® Original Scent Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Rain-X® Automotive Glass Cleaner
• Spray-X® Foaming Glass Cleaner
• Windex® Glass Cleaner with Ammonia
• Windex® Original
• Windex® Powerized Original
• Zep® Ammonia-Free Concentrate Glass Cleaner
• Zep® Foaming Glass Cleaner
• Zep® Streak-Free Glass Cleaner

• Amaz Clean & Green™ Water Stain Remover
• Dawn® Simply Clean, Original Scent (1% in Water)
• Formula 409® Original
• Goo Gone® Spray Gel
• Ivory® Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent (1% in Water)
• Murphy® Oil Soap Liquid Wood Cleaner
• Soft Scrub® All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Scent
• Spic and Span® Sun Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner
• Tide® Detergent Original Scent
• Vinegar, Distilled White (5% Acidity)
• Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner
• Zep® Multi-Surface Cleaner

• Home Armor® EZ House Wash™
• Home Armor® EZ Deck, Fence & Patio Wash™
• Rejuvenate® Outdoor Cleaner
• Savorgran™ TSP Trisodium Phosphate
• Spray & Forget™ House and Deck Cleaner
• Wet & Forget® Moss Mold Mildew and Algae Stain Remover
• Windex® Hose End Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner
• Zep® All-in-1 Pressure Wash*
• Zep® House and Siding Pressure Wash Concentrate*

*Although overspray of these solutions is safe, never use a pressure washer directly on any part of a window or door.

• Weather strip. Make sure it’s still effective. If not, call your local Marvin dealer. Don’t let paints, stains and varnishes come in contact with the weather strip. Solvents can damage its performance.
• Interior and exterior finishes. Occasional repair to a damaged finish may be necessary.
• Caulking. Trim any old, loose caulking, and seal any gaps with an appropriate, high quality caulk.
• Silicone Sealant. Occasionally, an excess of silicone sealant, called “squeeze-out,” appears around the edge of the glass. You can safely scrape off “squeeze-out” with a plastic putty knife without damaging the weather-tightness of your window or door.
• Hardware. Make sure all exposed hardware screws are tightened securely. Apply a dry lubricant to the windows’ gears to keep them operating smoothly.
• Energy Panels. Check energy panels and storm and screen combinations to make sure screws and turn buttons are securely fastened.
• Operation. Check doors for smooth operation. Clean sand, dirt, or dust from door and window hinges, sills, and tracks.

Note: Wood doors require a stabilization period after installation, sometimes taking up to a year to adjust to humidity levels and other environmental factors. Location plays an important role, too, in how often you should clean and maintain the exterior of aluminum clad windows and doors. A coastal home exposed to harsh elements may need cleaning four or five times a year, while in a drier climate, once or twice a year may be sufficient.