Guide · Floors, furniture and surfaces ·
How to Clean Door and Window Frames
Dust builds up on the top edge of door and window frames, hand and shoe marks gather at handle height and at the bottom of door frames, and window frames collect dust from outside and condensation. Frames may be lacquered, painted, wood, MDF, uPVC or marble, and each material reacts differently to water and products. This guide explains how to clean door and window frames according to their material.
Before you start
- Know the material: check whether the frame is lacquered, painted, wood, MDF, uPVC or marble.
- Remove dust first: remove dust from the top edge and corners of the frame with a dry microfibre cloth or the brush nozzle of a vacuum cleaner.
- Apply products to the cloth: do not spray cleaning products directly onto the frame or wall.
How to clean door and window frames: step by step
- Add START all-purpose surface cleaner to lukewarm water in the amount on the label. According to its safety data sheet, our START all-purpose surface cleaner has a pH of 7–8.
- Wring the cloth out well so it does not drip and wipe the frame from top to bottom.
- Remove dirt from the corners and profile grooves with a soft brush.
- Dry the frame straight away with a dry cloth; do not let water get into MDF and lacquer joints.
- For the wall around the frame: how to clean walls.
How to clean door frames
On door frames, hand marks build up most at handle and lock height, and shoe and vacuum marks at the bottom. Wipe lacquered and painted frames with a well-wrung cloth dampened with diluted surface cleaner and dry them; degreaser, abrasive cream and steel wool damage paint and lacquer. On wooden frames, TETİK wood surface cleaner can be used diluted with water at the ratio on the label. For the door itself, see the guide how to clean doors, and for the door handle, the guide how to clean door handles.
How to clean window sills
Dust from outside, condensation and water running from plant pots collect on window frames and sills. Wipe uPVC frames with diluted surface cleaner and dry them; do not use solvents such as acetone and thinner or abrasives on uPVC. On marble sills, acidic products such as limescale remover and vinegar dull the surface; for marble, see the guide how to clean marble. For the window itself and its frame, see the guide how to clean uPVC windows.
Yellowed and stained frames
- Part of the yellowing on white uPVC and painted frames is a layer of dirt and is reduced when wiped with diluted cleaner; yellowing caused by sunlight and age does not go away with cleaning.
- On painted frames, test first on a small hidden area; matt paint can turn shiny or come off when wiped.
- For pen and adhesive marks: how to remove felt-tip pen stains, how to remove sticker residue.
- We make no product claim for darkening on window frames caused by condensation; deal with the source of moisture and ventilate the room.
What not to do
- Wiping the frame with lots of water or spraying product directly onto it.
- Using degreaser and abrasives on lacquered and painted frames.
- Using limescale remover or vinegar on a marble sill.
- Letting water get into MDF joints.
- Using solvents such as acetone and thinner on uPVC.
For hotels, offices and cleaning companies
In hotel corridors, offices and schools, door frames get dirty quickly, especially at handle height and at the bottom; planning frame cleaning together with skirting board and door cleaning keeps them looking tidy. For skirting boards, see the guide how to clean skirting boards. START Genel Yüzey Temizleyici is produced in 5 L packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.
