One of the best things about aluminium is how little upkeep it needs — but a quick, regular clean keeps your frames looking new and your windows and doors sliding smoothly for years. The good news is that it’s easy: to clean aluminium windows you only need mild soapy water and a soft cloth, no special products. This guide shows you how to clean aluminium windows and doors the right way, which cleaners to avoid so you don’t damage the finish, and how to keep the tracks and moving parts working.
How to clean aluminium windows: the basics
Powder-coated aluminium is designed to be wiped clean. Two or three times a year, wash the frames down with warm water and a little mild dishwashing liquid, using a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots. That’s all it takes to clean aluminium windows and keep the powder-coated finish looking its best. Homes near the coast or on dusty roads should clean a little more often.
What you’ll need
- A bucket of warm water with a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid
- A soft cloth or sponge (non-abrasive)
- A soft brush or old toothbrush for corners and tracks
- Clean water for rinsing and a dry microfibre cloth
- A squeegee or glass cleaner for the panes
- A light silicone-based lubricant for moving parts
Cleaning the frames
Wipe the powder-coated frames with your soapy water and a soft cloth, working from the top down, then rinse and dry. For stubborn marks, let the soapy water soak for a minute rather than scrubbing hard. The one rule that matters when you clean aluminium windows is to protect the finish: never use abrasive scouring pads, steel wool, or harsh solvent, acidic or alkaline cleaners, as these can dull or damage the powder coat. Mild soap and water is genuinely all you need.
Cleaning the glass
Your windows are glazed with 6.38mm laminated safety glass. Clean the panes with a standard glass cleaner or a simple solution of water with a dash of white vinegar, then finish with a squeegee or a dry microfibre cloth for a streak-free result. Do the glass after the frames so any drips are wiped up last.
Tracks, rollers and moving parts
Sliding windows and doors rely on clean tracks. Brush or vacuum grit and dust out of the bottom track so nothing obstructs the rollers, then wipe it clean — this is the single biggest thing that keeps a sliding door gliding. Add a little silicone-based lubricant to the rollers and moving parts; avoid oil or grease, which attract dirt. While you’re there, check that the small drainage (weep) holes along the bottom of the frame are clear so rainwater can escape.
Coastal and dusty areas
Near the sea, salt in the air settles on frames and glass, so rinse and clean your aluminium windows more often — roughly every month or two — to keep the finish pristine. In dusty inland areas the main job is keeping the tracks clear so sliding panels keep running freely. A little more frequent attention in these conditions goes a long way.
What to avoid
- Abrasive scourers, steel wool or scouring powder
- Harsh solvents, thinners, and strong acidic or alkaline cleaners
- Oil or grease on tracks and rollers (use silicone lubricant instead)
- High-pressure washers aimed directly at the seals and glazing
Seals, gaskets and drainage holes
Wipe the rubber seals and gaskets clean so they stay soft and keep out wind and water. Then check the small drainage (weep) holes along the bottom of each frame. Blocked weep holes are the most common reason water pools in a sliding track or seeps in under a sash, and a pipe cleaner or soft brush clears them in seconds. Never seal them up with silicone.
A simple maintenance schedule
- Every few months: wash the frames and glass, and wipe the seals.
- Twice a year: vacuum and wipe the tracks, clear the weep holes, and apply a light silicone spray to rollers, stays and hinges.
- Coastal or dusty areas: rinse the frames with fresh water about once a month.
- Once a year: check that the seals are intact and that every window and door opens, closes and locks smoothly.
Aluminium never needs repainting, and that schedule is all it takes to keep aluminium windows and doors working like new. If a sash or door still sticks after cleaning, see top hung window not closing or aluminium sliding door rollers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean aluminium window frames?
Wash powder-coated aluminium frames with warm water and a little mild dishwashing liquid, using a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse and dry. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemicals, which can damage the finish.
How often should I clean aluminium windows?
Two or three times a year is enough for most homes. Clean more often — every month or two — near the coast, where salt air settles on the frames, and keep the tracks clear in dusty areas.
What should you not use to clean aluminium windows?
Avoid abrasive scourers, steel wool, and harsh solvent, acidic or alkaline cleaners, as these dull or damage the powder coating. Mild soapy water and a soft cloth are all you need.
My sliding door is stiff — what should I do?
Usually the track is dirty. Brush and vacuum out grit from the bottom track, wipe it clean, and apply a little silicone lubricant to the rollers. Avoid oil or grease, which attract more dirt.
Browse our aluminium windows and doors, or send your sizes for a factory-direct quote.
Related reading: aluminium vs wooden windows, top-hung aluminium windows, and how to measure for aluminium windows. Learn more about glazing care from SAGGA.
Misted-up glass? See aluminium window condensation — what causes it and how to reduce it.
Security: see are aluminium windows secure — how strong frames, laminated glass and good locks keep your home safe.
A quick checklist to clean aluminium windows
Use this routine to clean aluminium windows and doors without damaging the finish:
- Wash frames with mild soapy water and a soft cloth, then rinse.
- Clean the glass with a glass cleaner or soapy water and a squeegee.
- Vacuum the tracks and clear the drainage holes at the bottom of the frame.
- Wipe the rubber seals and lubricate rollers, hinges and stays with a silicone spray once a year.
- Never use scouring pads, solvents or abrasive cleaners.
If water still gets in after you clean aluminium windows, see aluminium windows leaking; if it forms on the inside of the glass, see aluminium window condensation.
Top hung windows step by step: see how to clean top hung windows.
Side hung windows step by step: see how to clean side hung windows.
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