Cleaning Your Bifold Doors

Although bifold doors are quite technical pieces of equipment, cleaning them doesn’t have to be! Whether aluminium bifold doors or PVC bifolds, both can be cleaned quickly and easily as part of your weekly cleaning routine. 

Find out below how best to clean each individual component of your bifold patio doors. 

Cleaning the Glass 

Most people tend to clean their bifolds with a mixture of vinegar and water, combined with a lot of elbow grease! A 50/50 solution of water and vinegar can be a great cleaning solution for streak-free windows; however it can leave behind a vinegary smell in lesser ventilated areas. 

Soap and water can be a great solution, however too much soap can result in streaks if the solution isn’t diluted enough. 

Whether you use a homemade solution, or a shop bought product, the key to shiny windows is to use the right tools. Kitchen towels are usually a go-to, but again can leave streaks on your bifold windows. Investing in a microfibre cloth or squeegee can help result in a great finish. 

Make sure you remove all jewellery and watches before you start cleaning to avoid any accidental scratches. 

Cleaning the Frames 

Cleaning the frames is usually the simplest part of the bifold doors cleaning process. A quick wipe with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge soaked in warm water and a mild detergent should be enough to keep the frames looking polished. 

You should avoid using any strong or heavy-duty cleaners on the frames, as the abrasiveness of the cleaner can damage the coating of the aluminium frames. 

You should also keep an eye out for mold and mildew as these can damage the quality of the frame. 

Cleaning the Tracks 

Any large objects or debris stuck in the tracks of the bifold doors can prevent the entire mechanism from working correctly. Pet hairs, chewing gum, you name it! They can all impede the smooth running of the doors and cause damage to the system. 

You can use a vacuum cleaner nozzle to remove the debris from inside the tracks – this is by far the quickest and easiest way to lift any debris from the system. 

Other Cleaning Notes 

• You can always apply some lubricating oil to the lock and key system to prevent this sticking! 
• It’s worth choosing a more overcast day rather than a sunny day to clean your bifold door window panes. Sunlight can cause your cleaning product to streak as it dries on the glass faster than you can wipe it away. 
• Where possible, try to clean the interior of your bifolds first. They’ll likely be cleaner than the exterior as they’re not exposed to the elements, and this will prevent your cleaning tools from bringing any grime or debris from the outside, inside.  

How Often Should I Clean my Bifold Doors? 

Once you’ve got your bifolds cleaning down to a fine art, it shouldn’t take too long to fully complete if you do it often enough. We recommend adding a quick once over of the glass panes to your weekly cleaning routine to keep them fresh, and a full wipe down of the locks and tracks every few months to keep them working efficiently! 

For any additional information about bifold doors, our expert team are always on hand to answer your questions – get in touch today! Shop bifold doors online here.