Care & Maintenance
Care & Maintenance
Proper care for your Anlin windows and doors will allow you to enjoy the beauty and energy efficiency of your products for years to come. Our Care & Maintenance section includes helpful tips on how to care for your windows and doors and recommended cleaning products to use.
Click on a section to view instructions:
- Recommended Cleaners
- Lubricating For Easy Operation
- How to Clean the Glass
- How to Clean the Frame
- How to Clean the Screen
- How to Adjust the Patio Door Rollers
- How to Adjust the Patio Door Screen Rollers
- Understanding and How to Clean Weep Holes
- How to Reduce Interior Window Condensation
- Understanding Exterior Window Condensation
- Submit a Service Request
Recommended Cleaners
| Bubble Gum | Fantastik, Murphy Oil Soap, Windex, Solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%) |
| Crayon | Lestoil |
| DAP | (Oil-based caulk): Fantastik |
| Lithium Grease | Fantastik, Lestoil, Murphy Oil Soap, Windex, Mr. Clean, Magic Eraser |
| Mold & Mildew | Fantastik, Windex, Solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%) |
| Pencil | Soft Scrub |
| Rust | Fantastik, Murphy Oil Soap, Windex |
NEVER use any of the following products on any part of your window or patio door (they may damage the glass surface or insulating seal): Petroleum-based cleaners (i.e. lacquer thinner, acetone and other solvents), caustic chemicals, razor blades, putty knifes, abrasive pads or high-pressure water hoses. These items may cause permanent damage.
Lubricating For Easy Operation
Periodically lubricate all sliding window and door tracks and rollers. We recommend that you lubricate the hardware components once a year. In areas with high salt air, at least twice a year is recommended. Lubricant should be 100% Silicone and can be found at most major hardware stores.
How to Clean the Glass
To clean the outside of your window, dip a window scrubber or non-abrasive sponge into a bucket with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Let any excess cleaning solution run off.
Gently use the window scrubber or non-abrasive sponge to rub the cleaning solution over the entire surface of your window. Be careful not to saturate the glass with the cleaning solution.
To clean the inside of your window, fill up a spray bottle with the same cleaning solution and spray the glass evenly. Use a microfiber towel to wipe your windows dry.
Avoid washing glass in direct sunlight. Never use razor blades, abrasive pads, petroleum base cleaners, or caustic chemicals to clean your windows and doors. These items may cause permanent damage.
How to Clean the Frame
When washing your window frame, use a mixture of mild dish soap and water along with a non-abrasive sponge. Squeeze or let the excess cleaning solution run off the sponge. Then use the sponge to wash the window frame. Use a damp towel to rinse off the frame completely. Wipe the frame dry with a microfiber towel. Do not use abrasive or caustic cleaners to clean your window or doors as these items can cause permanent damage to your products.
How to Clean the Screen
To clean the screen, you will need to remove it from the window frame. Using both hands, pull the screen from the pull rail (or pull tabs) towards the center of the window, and then push the screen outward.
Lay the screen on a flat clean surface. Dip a soft brush into a bucket with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Gently scrub both sides of the screen with the cleaning solution.
Rinse the screen using a hose with a spray nozzle set to a very light mist. Wipe the screen dry with a microfiber towel.
When inserting the screen back into the frame, make sure to place the springs back into the screen channel. Pull towards the center, then pull the screen towards you to fasten the screen back into its intended position.
How to Adjust the Patio Door Rollers
If your sliding patio door is hard to slide while opening and closing, the rollers may need be to adjusted.
Open the door slightly and look at the reveal or gap between the door and the frame.
The roller adjustment screws are located on both ends at the bottom of the sliding patio door.
Use a Philips head screwdriver to adjust the roller adjustment screw. Do not use a screw gun and be careful not to strip the screw. Turn the roller adjustment screw clockwise to raise up the door. Turn the roller adjustment screw counterclockwise to lower down the door. Continue making adjustments until the gap or reveal between the door and the frame is even from top to bottom. Adjust the other roller adjustment screw if needed.
How to Adjust the Patio Door Screen Rollers
If your screen door is hard to slide while opening and closing, the rollers may need to be adjusted.
Open the screen door slightly and look at the reveal or gap between the screen door and the frame.
The roller adjustment screws are located on both ends at the bottom and top of the screen door.
Use a Philips head screwdriver to adjust the roller adjustment screw. Do not use a screw gun and be careful not to strip the screw. Turn the roller adjustment screw clockwise to raise up the screen door. Turn the roller adjustment screw counterclockwise to lower down the screen door. Continue making adjustments until the gap or reveal between the screen door and the frame is even from top to bottom. Adjust the other roller adjustment screw if needed. Check to see if the screen door is sliding smoothly. Repeat these steps if further adjustment is needed.
Understanding and How to Clean Weep Holes
Windows and patio doors are designed with a weep drainage system on the exterior bottom of the frames to help protect the inside of your home. The weep drainage system allows water to drain to the outside while preventing airflow into your home.
Periodic inspection and maintenance are needed to keep the drainage system working properly. Use a damp towel to wash dirt and debris from sill and track areas. Check to make certain the weep holes are always clear of dirt, stucco, sand and debris. Use a small soft brush to clear the openings.
How to Reduce Interior Window Condensation
Window condensation can be a natural occurrence. Windows do not cause condensation. Interior window condensation is the result of excess humidity in your home, which comes from excess water vapor in the air. Everyday activities such as cooking, taking showers, washing dishes, and doing laundry adds moisture into the air. Interior window condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes in contact with the colder surface of a window. It can be an indicator that there is excessive moisture inside your home and you need to reduce the humidity.
If this is a new occurrence and humidity was not present with your old windows this maybe because your old drafty windows allowed moisture to escape through inefficient cracks and seals. Today’s windows and doors produce more energy efficient, “tighter” homes.
If you are experiencing interior window condensation, here are some suggestions to reduce the humidity in your home:
- Be sure all ventilation to the outside is functional.
- Open windows and doors whenever practical to allow interior moisture to escape.
- Use ceiling fans to keep air circulating within your home. Open fireplace damper to allow an easier escape for moisture.
- Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Run exhaust fans during and after the activities have ended.
- Use dehumidifiers to reduce the amount of moisture inside homes with high humidity.
Understanding Exterior Window Condensation
Exterior condensation is moisture that forms on the exterior glass surface. Condensation on the exterior of windows or patio doors can occur at any time of the year or when cool nights follow warm days.
Exterior condensation on energy efficient windows or patio doors is quite common and a natural occurrence. In fact, the presence of condensation can be a good indicator that your windows and patio doors are performing exactly as designed. Energy efficient windows and patio doors are so well-insulated, that warm temperatures in the home are not able to penetrate the insulated glass and heat the exterior pane. As a result, the exterior glass temperature may fall below the dew point temperature of the outside air and condensation can develop. The condensation you may see on the exterior glass surface is similar to the dew that can form on car windshields or on grass after a cool night. While unsightly, exterior condensation will evaporate once the day warms.
Submit a Service Request
If your Anlin window or door requires service, please submit an online service request. We look forward to helping you!
