One of the many reasons of purchasing and installing vinyl replacement windows is the convenient ability to clean the windows. The most common vinyl windows are double-hung or single-hung and the sashes of these windows tilt into the room to allow you to clean both sides of the window. Opening vinyl windows to clean them depends on the type of tilt mechanism your windows use. The two most common types are the tilt latches and wash assist tabs.
Step 1
Unlock the window locks and raise the lower sash 6 inches from the bottom window sill. Locate the sash release mechanisms for your window. Some vinyl windows have a tilt latch on the top of the sash frame at each end. Others have wash assist tabs in the frame of the window near the top that move up and down.
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Step 2
Press each tilt latch toward the center of the window and hold them in place with your fingers, if your window uses tilt latches. Pull the top of the lower sash toward you, tilting it into the room. Slowly allow the top of the sash to continue tilting until it rests into the cleaning position.
Step 3
Push the wash assist tabs into the frame slightly and slide them down to the top of the lower sash, if your windows use wash assists. Press the wash assist tabs in between the frame and the lower sash until the protruding tab on the wash assist rests on top of the lower sash frame. Pull the top of the lower sash toward you and slowly allow it to tilt down to the cleaning position.
Step 4
Slide the wash assists back to the top of the frame and lower the upper sash until it is 3 inches above the lower sash. Slide the wash assists down to the top of the upper sash and push them between the frame and the sides of the sash. Grasp the top of the upper sash and pull it toward you, allowing it to tilt into the room and into the cleaning position.
Step 5
Lower the upper sash until you can access the tilt latches on the top of the frame, if your windows use the tilt latches. Press and hold the tilt latches toward the center of the window and gently pull the top of the sash into the room. Slowly allow the sash to tilt into the room into the cleaning position.
Tip
After cleaning, push the sashes back into the window frame, starting with the upper sash.
If your windows have the wash assist tabs, slide them to the top of the frame once the upper sash has been tilted.
Warning
Always maintain a grip on the sash until it is resting in the cleaning position.
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