how to clean the inside of a double pane door

Ever wondered how to clean inside double pane windows? This article aims to guide you through the process, so you can keep your beautiful double glazed windows clean and pristine.

If you have invested in double pane windows, then you'll want to keep them up to scratch. The tricky thing about double glazed windows is that condensation can get caught between the two panes and cause watermarks. This isn't ideal and can look unsightly. Luckily there are quick and easy solutions on how to clean inside double glazed windows!

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How to clean double glazed windows

Double pane windows utilize two pieces of glass that are constructed with an airtight seal between them. This seal is designed to lock the air in so that it can act as an insulator. When this seal is damaged, which can happen over time, condensation and dirt may seep in. This airtight seal can make them tricky to clean, as you don't want to go to the effort of removing the two panes to clean inside them. If you are getting dirt or moisture stuck between the two panes, then it means that the seal is broken.

So, how to clean the inside of a double pane window? There are a few options you can choose if you are looking at cleaning inside double glazed windows without hiring a professional. However, it should be noted that these methods can be high risk, and if done improperly could destroy your windows. Only go ahead without a professional if you are confident with the process.

How to clean inside double glazed windows by drilling holes

The first method on how to clean inside double pane windows is by drilling holes. This requires some level of DIY skills, so if you aren't confident with using a drill, then avoid this method and think about calling a professional in.

Drilling a few holes into the window will allow you to tuck a small desiccate packet into the window to absorb any moisture that has been caught between the two panes. The holes also allow you to rinse out the window with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl), to remove any dirt.

If you have left your double glazed windows for a while and there is a lot of dirt build-up, you may need to get crafty and create a device to thread through the holes and use it to wipe out. For example, some wool material on a drain snake is always a fab handmade cleaning device!

Alternatively, you can try pointing a fan onto the windows once you have drilled the holes to increase the airflow. This will evaporate any condensation.

As mentioned above, if you are getting dirt or condensation stuck in between your double glazed windows, then it means that the seal is broken. If you don't know where this break is, then we would advise you don't seal the drilled holes up as the build-up will happen again and you will want to clean inside the double pane windows in the future.

How to clean inside double glazed windows without drilling holes

If you are being cautious and don't want to drill a hole in your windows, then you can use a method without drilling holes. However, this will only work if moisture is your only issue. If you have dirt trapped inside double glazed windows then the only option is to either drill or hire a professional!

To get rid of moisture you can place a dehumidifier near the window, lay a moisture absorber along the bottom edge or put a space heater near the window.

These items should help get rid of any moisture trapped between the double pane windows.

How to clean rubber seals on double glazed windows

Another part of your windows you will want to keep clean is the rubber seals. You will want to avoid any harsh chemicals as they will most likely cause damage such as discolouration and will cause the seals to peel.

The easiest, cheapest and best method on how to clean rubber seals on double glazed windows is to quite simply use warm soapy water. Only use a soft cloth to wipe down the rubber seals as wire wool or scouring brushes will mark the seals and cause unsightly damage.

If you have coloured window frames , match the cloth to the frame colour to avoid any stains.

To ensure that all dust and dirt is removed from the rubber seals, grab a soft brush and gently wipe the particles away!

How to clean double glazed window frames

Once you have cleaned inside your double glazed windows, you'll probably want to clean your uPVC double glazed window frames .

How to clean double glazed window frames? The most popular type of window frame is uPVC because they are low maintenance and easy to clean. More often than not, using warm soapy water to wipe down the frames will do the trick! If your double glazed window frames are slightly older, then you can try some other methods to really get into the grind and dirt.

Warm soapy water will work for most window frame materials such as hardwood and aluminium .

Add a cup of vinegar to your warm soapy water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray your window frames and leave for 10 minutes. This allows the vinegar to remove any dirt or grit on your window frames. You can then use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away the water and vinegar mixture.

Alternatively, a cheap and affordable way to clean double glazed window frames is to use baby wipes!

If however, you find the above methods on how to clean double glazed window frames isn't enough, then there are some stronger products you can use to help. We advise purchasing a uPVC cleaner and following the instructions. This should be strong enough to remove dirt, bugs and any unwanted marks.

You should always avoid using cream cleaners as these can scratch the top layer of the uPVC and remove its glossy finish.

Some items to totally avoid when cleaning your double glazed window frames are:

Bleach
Cif & Jif
Methylated spirits
Nail varnish remover
White spirit

How do I clear condensation from inside double glazing

When wondering how to clean inside double glazed windows, one of the most common questions asked is 'how do I clear condensation from inside double glazing?'.

Condensation can look messy and isn't something you want in between your double glazed windows! We briefly touched upon this subject, but there are a number of products you can use to remove condensation from between double pane windows.

Using a dehumidifier to clear condensation from inside double glazing

A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that reduces and maintains the level of humidity in the air. Commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens, they can also be used to clear condensation from inside of double glazing.

Simply place the dehumidifier in front of the window and leave it on. Over time, the dehumidifier should absorb the condensation that is stuck in between the windows. These electrical appliances are reasonably priced and can be a great solution to cleaning inside double glazed windows without hiring a professional.

Using a moisture absorber to clear condensation from inside double glazing

Moisture absorbers are a common household item and are often used to get rid of damp within a home.

These are a lot cheaper than dehumidifiers but the results won't be as good. To get rid of the condensation in your windows, lay the moisture absorbers along the bottom edge of the window and let them work their magic!

You might need to repeat this process a few times to fully get rid of the condensation.

Using space heaters/hairdryers to clear condensation from inside double glazing

Space heaters and hair dryers are products that are in almost any home and these can be used to help clear the condensation from your double pane windows.

Place the space heater or hairdryer by the window and leave it on. This will absorb all the moisture in between the windows. It should be noted that this is only a short term solution.

Condensation build-up happens when the airtight seal in your double pane windows is broken. You will want to hire a professional to look at this issue and fix it properly, to avoid any long term damages to your windows.

How can I remove the scratches on my double glazing

how to remove scratches form double glazed windows

If you have cleaned the inside of your double glazed windows, cleaned the seals and cleared the condensation, then the last thing on your list will be to remove any scratches on your double glazing.

This can be tricky and removal will depend on how bad the scratches are. For example, if you have a big dent in the frame and the paint has chipped off then it will be hard to fix. But if you only have a light scratch you are wanting to be rid of them there are ways this can be done.

The best products to use to remove scratches from your double glazed windows are non-abrasive solutions like iron oxide or cerium oxide. Simply pour some onto a cloth and wipe the scratch until it disappears.

How to Clean Inside Double Glazed Windows – the last word!

We hope you have enjoyed this article on how to clean inside double glazed windows. We have discussed a number of topics and hopefully, you are now well equipped on all aspects of cleaning double pane windows.

As a quick recap, we have discussed the following points:

How to clean inside double glazed windows
- You can drill holes in the windows so that you can clean inside them
- If moisture and condensation is the only issue, then you can use products that avoid drilling holes
How to clean rubber seals on double glazed windows?
- We discussed that warm, soapy water is the best solution. You should never use wired wool or scourers as this will damage the product. Use a brush to lightly remove any dust
How to clean double glazed window frames?
- Again the best solution for this is by using warm, soapy water. If this isn't strong enough then you can add vinegar to the mixture. Baby wipes are also an option and we also discussed items to avoid such as bleach and nail varnish remover
How do I clear condensation from inside double glazing?
- For this, we recommended three different products you can use to remove condensation. These were dehumidifiers, moisture absorbers and space heaters or hair dryers
How can I remove scratches on my double glazing?
- The best products to use to remove scratches from your double glazed windows are non-abrasive solutions like iron oxide or cerium oxide.

These are the main takeaway notes on how to clean inside double glazed windows. If you would like any more information or would like to talk to a professional, feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to share a chat.

BJH Windows and Conservatories supply, fit and install double glazed windows across the south including but not limited to: