In the modern world, wooden window frames are a rarity. Increasingly, people are choosing inexpensive, but reliable and durable plastic windows. They protect the home well from the cold, noise and dirt from the streets, but over time they lose their attractive appearance. And the owner faces the question of how to wash the windowsill of a plastic window.
Type of plastic
Everyone knows that there are expensive and cheap plastic windows. And almost no one wonders how they are so different. Whatever model the customer chooses, it will in any case be made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Material from different manufacturers differs only in the number of plasticizers - the lack of these components leads to the fact that the plastic becomes brittle and brittle. So expensive models are stronger.
If we talk directly about window sills, then they differ in surface film. And it can be divided into three categories - economy, standard and luxury. For the economical series, window sills are covered with the same PVC. It is cheap and reliable if you don’t scratch or stain the surface. For standard models use melamine film. It is more resistant to damage and detergents and can withstand even smoldering cigarettes without visible consequences. The window sills of the luxury series are coated with melamine resin - it is a durable and environmentally friendly material with high resistance to damage and aggressive environments.
How will this information be useful when you need to learn how to wash a plastic windowsill? Everything is simple here - the higher the category, the wider the choice of tools you can use. In addition, this information is useful at the planning stage - on more expensive models, dirt practically does not linger and does not eat into the surface, it is easier to wash.
Types of pollution
Before deciding how to wash plastic window sills at home, you should learn more about the types of pollution.
Most often on this surface appears:
- Dust and dirt. On any horizontal surface they accumulate very quickly. Especially in the summer, when sashes are often open.
- Polyurethane foam - an indispensable attribute of any repair. And to wash it is not easy.
- Glue-based substances. They are tightly fastened with plastic, and it is impossible to remove them with a damp cloth.
- Primer and putty.
- Yellowness - from water and ultraviolet radiation.
- Rusty spots. Most often from flower pots or metal objects in combination with high humidity.
- Paint and similar poorly washable stains.
- Stubborn stains, for example, from felt-tip pens or food.
- Drops of fat.
Classification of window sill cleaners
How can I clean plastic window sills? In fact, the choice of funds is quite wide. They can be divided into three categories: professional, domestic and folk.
Professional products include all specialized products marked “for plastic” or “for plastic windows”. They are in any household chemistry store, but in a limited assortment, since they are rarely bought. The thing is that almost no one wants to buy a separate tool for washing 3-5 surfaces. And instead, they choose something universal, that is, household chemicals for cleaning everything. Traditional methods include all those recipes that involve the unconventional use of soda, vinegar, ammonia and other substances.
It is also customary to distinguish three groups of cleaning agents:
- Cleaning products. These are powders and other substances with an abrasive effect. They show high efficiency, but on plastic they must be used with caution.
- Whitening. These products are very aggressive, but can bleach plastic even from very old, stubborn stains and dyes. They have a pungent unpleasant odor.
- Detergents. Mild liquid household chemicals. This category includes all gels, shampoos, dishwashing detergents, liquid soap and other gentle detergent formulations. They do not have a pungent odor and are suitable for both washing plastic and glass directly.
What can and cannot be used
Before washing the plastic window sill, it is necessary to arm yourself with suitable equipment. For a smooth surface, you need to take a soft cloth, sponge and brush. For rough, a stiff sponge or brush is good, but not metal. A wire brush or metal sponge will only scratch the plastic and make it even more unattractive.
Household chemicals
How to wash the windowsill of a plastic window? Experienced housewives use universal tools.
Among the whole variety of products, the following can be distinguished:
- Mr. Proper. A versatile mud killer in the form of powder or thick gel. The composition of the liquid means there are abrasive particles. It copes well with various contaminants, but after that the surface must be thoroughly washed. Otherwise, it will be a magnet for dust.
- Cillit Bang. With a convenient and economical atomizer, which greatly facilitates the work. Quickly and effectively deals with various contaminants, including fatty deposits on the kitchen windowsill. But after work, the room needs to be checked, since the solution has a strong and unpleasant odor.
- Comet. This product is sold both in powder and gel form. And for the cleaning of window sills, it is the second option that is suitable. The main purpose is the fight against oily stains, so it will be indispensable for the kitchen window.
- Domestos. Detergent and bleach. It will cope well with fat and rust spots.
- Pemolux. Powder with a soft abrasive. Gentle, but not too effective. Refers to the budget category of goods.
- Mr. Muscle. Thick cream with a cleaning and whitening effect. It shows good results when removing various contaminants.
- Froch. A line of substances to remove low pollution. Suitable for use in rooms with young children, allergy sufferers and asthmatics.
- Help A solution with a spray with a strong whitening effect. Indispensable for removing stubborn stains and yellowness.
- "Edelweiss". Cleansing and whitening spray.
- Sanita. Means to combat severe pollution and fat.
- Cif. Gives plentiful foam and well washes away the stubborn dirt.
- Cosmofen 10. Effective, but very toxic. Use with caution, only in case of emergency and only with windows open. After work, it is important to ventilate the entire room. Requires thorough rinsing.
This is not a complete list of all suitable tools. You can take any other, if only it was not destructive for plastic. Plastic surfaces are adversely affected by solvents, acetone and any acids. Therefore, when buying household cleaning products, you must carefully read the composition and avoid products with these components.
Folk methods
How to wash plastic window sills from stains without the use of household chemicals? Not everyone is a fan of aggressive agents, someone does not want to use them because of their love for nature, which they harm, and some cannot work with them because of severe asthma or allergies. In addition, most effective formulations are expensive. That is why folk methods of cleaning plastic surfaces are still in demand. Here are the main ones:
- Chalk - a soft abrasive, without the effect of scratching.
- Dental powder gruel is a soft and effective abrasive.
- A mixture of soda and table vinegar. Soda is applied to the dirty surface, and then a stain is wiped on top with a rag and vinegar. The procedure must be limited in time, otherwise you can spoil the plastic. Soda in its original form is not used, as it is a fairly strong abrasive.
- Alcohol. It is able to dissolve dirt, but with prolonged exposure it destroys plastic. Use with caution.
- Solution of laundry soap. Cheap and, oddly enough, an effective way. It is only necessary to increase the time of "soaking", and the surface will shine. Although it is not possible to get rid of yellowness and stubborn coloring substances.
- Melamine sponge. A new, but already very popular tool. It acts as an eraser and removes dirt and grease and traces of the marker from the surface. Although there are opponents of this method - they believe that the sponge spoils the surface.
Cleaning pattern
How to wash a plastic windowsill?
To do this, take the following steps:
- Assess the type and nature of pollution.
- Armed with a suitable product: for normal cleaning, any detergent composition is suitable; in case of serious contamination, cleaning products, if the plastic is painted in an alien color, then with a bleaching effect. Other things being equal, you should always give preference to means in the form of a gel or creamy, since abrasive powders can harm plastic.
- Remove the side plugs and remove foreign objects.
- Carry out dry cleaning: sweep off the dust and vacuum the inaccessible places.
- Carry out superficial wet cleaning with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth.
- Apply the product according to the instructions and wait for the specified time.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Repeat as necessary.
Some types of contaminants require special cleaning methods.
Rusty stains
How to wash a plastic window sill from stubborn rust stains? They will help to defeat Mr. Proper and Cillit Bang. To do this, just apply the product and leave it on the surface for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Sanita gel will do well , but it will have to be held a little longer. And in especially serious cases, you can use Cosmofen 10.
Yellowness
How to wash plastic window sills from yellowness? First of all, it should be understood that plastic turns yellow for many reasons: poor-quality material - from time to time, and high-quality - from the sun, water, smoke, soot, cigarette smoke and other factors. And in some cases, it can be removed, but in some it will be necessary to get used to spotty surfaces.
How to wash the window sill of a plastic window from yellowness? If it comes from stagnant water, then a normal soap solution or any detergent can help. In other cases, you will need to take something more aggressive with a whitening effect. You can use store products or folk recipes, for example:
- For 0.5 liters of water, one spoonful of rehydrol and powder bleach. Apply, rub and rinse. Repeat if necessary.
- Phenol - for cleaning PVC profiles.
- Cosmofen 20 is an even more aggressive agent than Cosmofen 10. It destroys the molecular surface layer of plastic, so that yellowness can be eliminated. But it’s easy to spoil the surface.
Paint spots
Acetone for plastic surfaces is very dangerous. Therefore, paint stains should be removed with nail polish remover without acetone or with White Spirit. You need to wash them pointwise and immediately wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
Polyurethane foam
Large pieces of polyurethane foam just need to be cut off. And carefully clean the remaining traces with a stiff brush. This will take a lot of time, but harder tools and abrasives can not be used, as they will ruin the surface.
Putty and primer
How to wash the primer from a plastic windowsill? It, as well as putty and plaster, need to be soaked well, and then washed off. If the spots are old, then after soaking it is necessary to apply a strong gel or cream. After a while, they will be washed off without difficulty.
Using self-adhesive film
How to wash a white plastic window sill? Owners of plastic windows, which are almost all in white, are tormented by this question. Few people use color profiles.
Everyone who encounters this problem, experts advise using a self-adhesive film - in tone frames, contrasting or with imitation wood. It will well overlap existing spots or protect the pristine whiteness of the new panel. And you can always change it.
Care Tips
About how to wash a plastic window sill, we have already told. But here are some tips to prevent this situation:
- Regular wet cleaning will help keep the surface white.
- Spilled water, earth and other contaminants from the windowsill must be removed immediately. Over time, this will require effort.
- Under pots with flowers you need to put napkins or special coasters.
- It is best to use detergents that are suitable specifically for plastic.
- Abrasive products should be avoided - each time they make the surface worse, which is why it gets dirty faster.
And remember: a damaged window sill can be repaired - polished, glued with a film or completely replaced. So do not be upset about the spots.