How to Clean Soft Vinyl Windows

How to Clean Soft Vinyl Windows
Published: Mar 15, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Garden hose
  • Mild detergent (or marine vinyl window cleaner)
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Soft vinyl window polish (haze remover)

Cleaning these with the right, non-abrasive products, and doing it regularly helps keep abrasive dirt or sand from scratching or scuffing the vinyl. Cleaning does not typically take very long and can keep your windows in good shape.

  1. Rinse off the windows with a gentle stream of water from a garden hose.

  2. Mix a tbsp. of a mild detergent such as dishwashing detergent with water in a five-gallon bucket. If you have some on hand, you can alternatively use marine vinyl window cleaner, as suggested by ctekmarine.com. If your windows are not very dirty, however, and you don’t have hazing, then the dishwashing detergent should be sufficient.

  3. Wet a microfiber cloth in the bucket and wipe over the windows. If the windows are heavily soiled, be sure to rinse the cloth often so you aren’t dragging scratchy sand or dirt over the vinyl.

  4. Rinse the windows with your garden hose. Dry them with a dry microfiber cloth.

  5. Use a vinyl window polish or haze remover if, after cleaning, your windows are still hazy. Many of these simply spray on--just spray the product on the windows and wipe off with a clean microfiber cloth.

References

Tips

Look for vinyl window cleaners at boat shops or auto detailing supply shops.

If you don’t have access to a garden hose (for instance, when you are camping), then use a bucket to rinse the windows.

Warnings

Ctekmarine.com warns against using harsh detergents, abrasives, or products containing alcohol or silicone on vinyl windows.

Marinestore.com warns against using products containing ammonia on vinyl windows.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

Corey M. Mackenzie

Corey M. Mackenzie has been a professional freelance writer for more than two decades. She received a B.A. with honors from Wichita State University. Corey specializes in writing about pets, interior decorating, health care, gardening,…

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