Common Questions from Customers – Using The Correct Maintenance
“Hi Cara Glass! My locks and hinges seem to be seizing up! I’m using good old WD-40 to do this on a regular basis but it doesn’t seem to be working. Can you help?” – A Homeowner, Fordingbridge.
Simon, our Business Manager writes: –
Your windows and doors are one of the biggest long-term investments in your home. They keep the heat in, the weather out, and help protect the value of your property. Yet many problems we see day-to-day don’t come from faulty manufacturing or poor installation — they come from well-intentioned but damaging DIY maintenance.
One of the biggest culprits? WD-40
It’s often the first thing people reach for when a window starts to feel stiff, squeaky or hard to lock. Unfortunately, using it on modern windows or doors can actually shorten their lifespan rather than extend it.
Why WD-40 Is the Wrong Product for Windows and Doors
Despite its popularity, WD-40 was never designed for window hardware or door locks.
Here’s why it causes issues:
It’s a solvent, not a lubricant
WD-40 is primarily a water-displacing solvent. It strips away existing grease that’s meant to protect hinges, locks and rollers. Once that protective layer is gone, metal parts are left exposed.
It attracts dirt and grit
After application, WD-40 leaves a thin residue that quickly collects dust. Over time this creates a gritty paste inside the mechanism, increasing wear rather than reducing it.
It dries out seals and components
Repeated use can dry out rubber seals and nylon parts, leading to cracking, stiffness and premature failure.
Short-term fix, long-term damage
Windows may feel smoother for a short period, but underneath, friction and wear are accelerating — often resulting in failed locks, snapped hinges or dropped sashes.
In short, WD-40 might feel like it’s helping, but it’s quietly doing the opposite – and also invalidating your guarantee.
What You Should Be Doing Instead
Good window maintenance doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be correct.
Here’s what homeowners can safely do, at least every 6 months:
- Gently wipe down visible hinges and handles to remove dust and debris
- Keep drainage slots (trickle vents and frame drain holes) clear
- Avoid forcing stiff handles or locks — this often causes bigger failures
- Use only specialist, non-abrasive products designed for lubricating locks, handles and hinges. If it helps, GT-85 is our standard go to product for doing this.
What you should not do is spray household oils, greases or general-purpose cleaning products into the moving parts.
Why Professional Lubrication and Maintenance Matters – Spray and Survey
Modern uPVC, aluminium and composite windows rely on precision-made components working together. When one part starts to bind, the strain transfers to others — often leading to costly repairs that could have been avoided.
That’s why at Cara Glass Ltd we offer our Spray and Survey service, which is specifically designed to protect your window investment.
For a set free, our service includes the lubrication of the mechanical moving parts of windows and doors, carried out using the correct specialist products — not WD-40 or generic sprays. At the same time, we inspect the overall operation of your windows so small issues can be identified before they turn into expensive failures and give you a report and quote on what, if anything, needs doing.
It’s a simple preventative step that can significantly extend the life of hinges, locks and handles, helping your windows continue to operate as they should.
A Small Step That Protects a Big Investment
Windows are designed to last decades, but only if they’re looked after properly. Using the wrong products can quietly undermine that lifespan, even if everything looks fine on the surface.
If your windows are starting to feel stiff, noisy or difficult to operate — or if you’ve already reached for WD-40 in the past — it’s worth getting them checked sooner rather than later.
Proper maintenance doesn’t just keep windows working smoothly. It protects the investment you made in your home in the first place.
- Common Questions from Customers – Using The Correct Maintenance - 6 February 2026
- What Is Secondary Glazing? Expert Insights from Cara Glass - 29 October 2025
- Spray and Survey: Introducing Our New Service for Longer-Lasting Windows & Doors - 4 September 2025
