How to Clean Aluminum Window Frames

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

Aluminum window frames gather dirt and debris over time and lose some of their shine. They require both indoor and outdoor cleaning. Frames can be cleaned with a combination of commercial cleaners and household products. Make sure to follow package instructions on commercial cleaners closely to avoid damaging your window frames.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Frames Outdoors

1
Douse the frames in water. If you have a hose, use this to get the aluminum frames wet. This will help remove a small layer of dirt and grime and make your cleaner more effective. If you do not have a hose, get the frames wet using a bucket of water.^{[1]
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2
Remove grease spots with a commercial cleaner. Buy a solvent-based cleaner online or at a local hardware store. Make sure the cleaner is safe to use or made specifically to use on aluminum. Obvious grease spots and stains should be treated with a commercial cleaner.^{[2]
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- Refer to the instruction manual for precise instructions. Most cleaners should sit on the stain for a set amount of time before being wiped off. Make sure to completely rinse the cleaner off the aluminum once it has set.
- Look the safety instructions on your cleaner as well. Gloves or goggles may be advised.
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3
Make a paste with baking soda and lemon juice. Lemon juice and baking soda can clean a lot of dirt and grime off of aluminum and leave it looking shiny. After applying a commercial cleaner to the stains, give the whole frame a scrub with a paste made of ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of lemon juice and ¼ cup (45 g) of baking soda.^{[3]
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4
Apply your paste. Rub the paste using a sponge or rag. The paste should remain on the window frame until it dries. The precise time this will take depends on the current climate in your area.^{[4]
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- Make sure you apply the paste to the entire window frame. Do not neglect cracks or crevices in the window.
- If you need a smaller tool, such as a scrub brush, to get into certain places, use that to apply the cleaner.
5
Rinse the frames. Use a damp sponge to remove the paste after it dries. Use water to rinse off the paint and any remaining traces of your commercial cleaner. Make sure to keep rinsing until the water runs clean. Any lingering residue could damage your windows.^{[5]
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- Polish your frame with steel wool and water when you’re finished to make your frames shiny.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Frames Indoors

1
Wipe down the frames with a damp cloth. Get your window frames wet before you begin cleaning. This will loosen dirt and dust, making the cleaning process go smoother. Wet a sponge and run it along the full frame, making sure to get into cracks and crevices as well.^{[6]
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- If certain areas are hard to reach using a sponge, opt for a smaller tool like a scrub brush.
2
Use the same cleaners you used outdoors. If cleaners were safe for your outdoor frames, they will be safe for your indoor frames. Use a solvent-based cleaner as well as a paste made from ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of lemon juice and ¼ cup (45 g) of baking soda.^{[7]
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- However, make sure commercial cleaners are safe to use inside before applying them to your window frames.
3
Apply your cleaner with a scouring pad. A scouring pad helps dislodge dirt and debris. When applying your cleaners, do so using a scouring pad. This helps dislodge unwanted debris from your window frames, such as stuck on messes from the kitchen. If you don't have scouring pads, they can be purchased at most department stores.^{[8]
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- Apply the solvent-based cleaner first, targeting obvious stains. Allow the cleaner to sit on as long as the package recommends before cleaning it off.
- Apply your lemon juice and baking soda paste second. Let the paste dry before rinsing your frames.
4
Rinse and dry the frames. Rinse your frames off using a damp sponge. After rinsing them, rub off the remaining water using a dry cloth. Indoor frames will not dry as fast on their own and need to be dried after the cleaning process.^{[9]
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- Polish the frames when you’re finished by using a fine steel wool and water.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Ensuring a Quality Clean

1
Use steel wool and paint thinner for tough stains. If you encounter difficult stains that do not come off with a commercial cleaner, paint thinner applied with steel wool can help. Make sure to follow package directions, especially any safety instructions, before applying paint thinner. Then, work the paint thinner into the frames using a steel wool sponge until the stains come off.^{[10]
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- Be gentle when using steel wool to avoid scratching the frames.
- Some steel wool pads have soap built in that can help you clean.
2
Polish your frames when you're done. After cleaning your frames, they may look a little dull. Apply water using fine steel wool, buffing the surface of the frames until they shine.^{[11]
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- Outdoor frames may become dull due to a process called anodizing. This looks similar to rust and cannot be polished off. Aluminum frames that appear rusty should be treated by a professional cleaner.
3
Test your product on a small part of the window frame first. Never apply any product, even household products, to the full window frame without testing them first. Before applying a product to your window frame, apply it to a small portion of the frame that's mostly out of sight. Make sure the cleaner does not cause a negative reaction, such as discoloration, before applying it to the rest of the window frames.^{[12]
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