Short answer
Clean uPVC with warm water, a little mild detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse and dry. For fascias and soffits, use an extendable soft brush from the ground. Avoid abrasive cream cleaners, scourers, solvents and bleach, which can scratch, dull or discolour the surface, and test any product on a hidden area first.
Why gentle is better
uPVC has a smooth surface that sheds dirt easily when it is in good condition. Abrasive cleaners and scourers scratch that surface, and once it is scratched, dirt clings more and the plastic looks dull. Solvents and some strong chemicals can soften or stain it. Coloured and woodgrain-effect uPVC, which has a thin decorative layer, is particularly easy to damage.
Most uPVC will come up well with nothing stronger than warm, soapy water and a bit of patience. Check any care guidance from your window or door installer, especially for coloured frames.
How to clean uPVC window frames and doors
- Brush or vacuum loose dirt, cobwebs and insects from frames, sills, tracks and corners.
- Mix warm water with a small amount of mild detergent in a bucket.
- Wash the frames with a soft cloth or sponge, working from the top down.
- Clean the tracks, hinges and the drainage slots at the bottom of window frames, which can block and let water sit in the frame.
- Rinse with clean water to remove soapy residue.
- Dry with a soft cloth to avoid water marks.
- Clean the glass last, so drips from the frames do not land on clean panes.
How to clean fascias and soffits
Fascias are the boards along the edge of the roof that the gutters are fixed to; soffits are the boards underneath, facing the ground. They collect dust, cobwebs, green algae and dirt washed down from the roof, and on many homes they are the part of the house that turns grey first.
The same gentle method works, but height changes how you do it. From the ground, use an extendable pole with a soft brush head, warm soapy water and a hose for rinsing. Work in sections, from one end of the house to the other, and rinse each section before the soap dries. Protect plants and paving below, and wear eye protection, as dirty water will drip down.
If you use a ladder for a low fascia, follow basic ladder safety: firm, level ground, someone footing it, three points of contact, no overreaching, and never rest the ladder on the gutter itself. Upper-storey rooflines are a job for someone with the right equipment.
Black streaks on gutters
The black vertical streaks that appear on the outside of white gutters are a stubborn kind of staining caused by dirt and pollution washing over the gutter edge. They often do not shift with soapy water. A specialist cleaner sold for uPVC staining can help; choose one for uPVC, test it on a hidden section, follow the label exactly and never mix products.
What to avoid on uPVC
Avoid scouring pads, wire wool, abrasive cream cleaners, solvents, bleach and pressure washers. A pressure washer can force water past window seals, damage the rubber gaskets and lift the decorative layer on coloured frames.
Yellowing on very old white uPVC is usually a change in the plastic itself rather than dirt, and cleaning will not reverse it. Do not try to scrub it out, as that only scratches the surface.
Glass and conservatories
For the glass itself, our guide to cleaning windows without streaks covers the technique. If you have a conservatory, our guide to cleaning a conservatory roof explains how to clean it safely from the ground.
When to call a professional
Call a professional for fascias, soffits and frames above the ground floor, for black streaks that will not shift, or if you want the whole roofline cleaned in one go. It is often convenient to combine this with gutter clearing.
We wash fascias, soffits, bargeboards and the outside of gutters and downpipes with water-fed poles and soft brushes, which reach most two and three storey rooflines from the ground. Black tiger stripes on gutters are treated with a specialist cleaner, and gutter clearing can be arranged in the same visit.
Rather have it done for you?
Roofline uPVC brought back to bright white. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to clean uPVC with?
Warm water with a little mild detergent and a soft cloth or sponge suits most uPVC. Rinse and dry afterwards. For stubborn marks, use a cleaner made for uPVC and test it first.
Can I use bleach on uPVC?
It is best avoided. Bleach can discolour uPVC, damage seals and harm plants below. Mild detergent works for everyday dirt, and a uPVC-specific cleaner can tackle stubborn marks.
How do I clean soffits from the ground?
Use an extendable pole with a soft brush head and warm soapy water, working in sections and rinsing each one with a hose before it dries. Protect plants and wear eye protection.
Related guides
- How to clean a conservatory roof: cleaning glass and polycarbonate conservatory roofs from the ground, without climbing on the roof or scratching it.
- How to clean windows without streaks: why windows streak and the simple squeegee technique that leaves glass clear, inside and out.