What Is the Best Lubricant for Vinyl Windows?

Vinyl windows are easy to clean, weather resistant, inexpensive, and attractive options for the home. However, a fairly common complaint is that despite being advertised as ‘self lubricating’, they’re often prone to becoming difficult to open and close easily, and when it’s time to wipe the windows down, a stuck window pane is frustrating and time consuming. We’ve taken a look at a few products being offered by a variety of manufacturers of home goods and supplies to find the best lubricant for vinyl windows.

Comparison Table

The Best Lubricant for Vinyl Windows FAQ

Before we get to finding the best lubricant for vinyl windows, here are the answers to a few questions you might have about the purpose and use of a vinyl window lubricant.

How We Reviewed

In searching for the best lubricant for vinyl windows, we’ve compared the pros, cons, and feature sets of these products, with a specific eye towards value for price. Elements such as volume for price, friction reduction, as well as safety for use in the home have all been considered, as the best lubricant for vinyl windows should provide all of the above qualities in spades without costing an arm and a leg.

What We Reviewed

• DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Dry-Film Lubricant
• LiquiFix Lubricant
• B'laster 16-SL Industrial Strength Silicone Lubricant
• Prime-Line Products RZ 50-2AB12
• CRC 05074 Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant
• LUBE-ALL Multipurpose Household Lubricant
• Sliding Door Lubricant - Mineral Based Zero-VOC Unscented
• Liquid Wrench M914 Silicone Spray
• WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant Spray
• Permatex 80070 Silicone Spray Lubricant

Features

This product comes from a manufacturer specializing in technologically advanced lubricants. The product that would make for the best lubricant for vinyl windows is the non-stick dry-film formulation. It creates a micro-thin and long-lasting dry film on surfaces, which keeps the area clean as well as reducing friction, and goes on wet for easy application. It is safe for all surfaces and contains no silicone. It is effective at temperatures from -100F to +500F.

Features

This product is a long lasting and safe lubrication option, which ships in a spray bottle. As a generally eco-friendly option, it contains no volatile organic compounds, is odorless, and is safe around children and pets. No ventilation is required during or after application, and it is also safe around electrical connections. It does not conduct static electricity, which prevents the build-up of grime, and does not evaporate into the air which extends its effectiveness 2-3 times longer than most other lubricants. It is effective at temperatures ranging from -3.2F to +275F.

Price

This product is available at a price point of roughly $.

Quantity

This product contains 8.5oz. of product per container.

Features

This teflon fluoropolymer lubricant enhances performance and offers long-lasting lubrication without accumulating dust and dirt with its silicone composition. Ventilation is required during and after application, as well as suitable protective clothing. Although it’s an excellent solution for industrial situations, it might not be suitable for all home environments given it is most certainly unsafe around children or pets.

Features

This dry film lubricant is highly effective and safe around the home, and works to both reduce friction and repel moisture. It sprays on and dries clear, and is permanent or lasts up to three years, depending on the level of application. It is safe to use on electrical connections and does not leave a potentially damaging sticky residue. It is generally highly effective, but this effectiveness comes at a markedly increased price for the amount of product provided. It leaves no scent after application, keeping your home from smelling like industrial chemicals, and does not attract dust.

Price

This product is available at a price point of roughly $.

Quantity

This product contains 2.75oz. of product per container.

Features

This silicone lubricant is highly water resistant, and offers extreme weather protection, making it an excellent choice for lubricating windows. The product itself is clear upon application, and is odorless. Its functional temperature is from -40F to +400F. This product’s water resistant nature makes it a good choice for basements or for use in geographical areas prone to heavy weather. It also prevents rust, which is excellent for the same conditions it works best in.

Features

This lubricant ships in a two pack, but the quantity per each individual unit is quite small despite the relatively high price. Nonetheless, it offers a high amount of performance in its small albeit pricy package. The formula is a synthetic lubricant, and is safe for children and pets, as well as non-toxic if consumed. It is odorless, non-toxic, electrically safe, and non-flammable. It is effective within a temperature range of -40F to +450F. Although the container is small, it does make it portable and easily insertable into any drawer or toolbox.

Features

This mineral-based lubricant is designed for sliding doors, but works just as well for vinyl windows. Its easy to use spray-on applicator is specifically designed for usage in tight areas, to get the product only where it is needed. It functions in temperatures ranging from -35F to +180F, and is made using non-toxic mineral based ingredients safe for kids and pets, emitting zero volatile organic compounds. It protects from rust, which keeps the surfaces it’s applied to looking brand new. It is unscented and nearly odorless.

Features

This lubricant is a silicone spray, offering friction reduction with waterproofing functionality and rust inhibiting properties, contributing to an increased lifespan of metal surfaces. It’s long lasting, highly durable, and safe on most surfaces. However, it is highly flammable and toxic if swallowed or inhaled, and isn’t safe for use around children or pets. Although this model is effective, it’s slightly more difficult to recommend for home use due to its caustic nature.

Features

This silicone lubricant provides friction reduction as well as waterproofing, with a quick-drying formula which dries into a clear, stain-resistant micro-layer. It is effective in temperatures ranging from -100F to +500F. It doesn’t attract dirt and doesn’t leave a sticky residue upon drying. This extremely strong and versatile option has been tested and perfected for maximum effectiveness. However, it is flammable, poisonous, and not safe for use on electrical components.

Features

This silicone lubricant is safe on paint and electrically insulates and waterproofs all surfaces. As a silicone lubricant, it is highly dust and weather resistant. However, it is unsafe for use around flames and is hazardous if inhaled or ingested.

The Verdict

The best lubricant for vinyl windows offers the best value for its price, without a doubt. However, what that value may be, depends on the scale of your lubricant, as well as the actual composition of the lubricant itself. If you’re unsure about leaving a mess around the application area, looking into a lubrication that dries clear and without a sticky residue is a must. If you live in a particularly weather-heavy geographical area, or are planning to lubricate a tough-to-open window in a basement, cellar, or garage, a waterproof or weatherproof option is a must. Ecologically conscious consumers may want to skip the chemicals altogether and opt for a mineral-based solution.

If you happen to have children or pets, it’s essential to choose a model that won’t pose a threat to curious kids and kittens alike. The potential toxicity of the product itself can also pose a danger to the user, and if lack of ventilation during or after application or perhaps proximity to electrical components or sockets is a concern, formulations exist which are safe to use under such circumstances. Additionally, many lubricants are designed with additional functionality in mind, such as the prevention of rust formation or dust buildup.

With such a wide variety of lubricants to choose from, it may not seem important to study the options closely. However, the perfect lubricant for your vinyl windows will not only make your windows easier to open, shut, and clean, it will make many instances of future maintenance much more manageable and convenient, if not fully avoidable. The perfect lubricant will make your life so much easier.  We hope that by taking a look at what we’ve found to be the Top 10, you’ve gained a better understanding of which option to go with when choosing the best lubricant for vinyl windows of your own.