ACTUAL Fenster Türen & Sonnenschutz — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean with clear water and a soft, clean cloth.
• ✓For stubborn marks, use mild pH-neutral cleaning agents.
• ✓Remove remaining water streaks with a window cloth or microfibre cloth.
• ✓Minimum cleaning frequency: twice per year.
• ✕Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or scouring pads.
• ✓Do not use razor blades, scrapers, or sharp metal tools on glass surfaces.
• ✓Do not use high-pressure washers or steam cleaners.

Aluminium Exterior Surfaces

• ✓Clean with mild dishwasher detergent and a soft cloth.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning.
• ✓Conserve (treat/protect) the aluminium surfaces 1-2 times per year.
• ✓Minimum cleaning frequency: twice per year.
• ✕Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring sponges.
• ✓Do not use solvents on aluminium surfaces.

Timber Interior Surfaces (ALWOOD, CUBIC 9, CLASSIC 9)

• ✓Inspect wood surfaces twice per year for damage and weathering (cracks, dents, blisters).
• ✓For varnished timber: clean with water and a soft cloth.
• ✓For oiled timber: reapply larch oil at regular intervals.
• ✓Use ADLER Pflegeset-Plus once per year for comprehensive timber care.
• ✓ADLER Top-Cleaner for cleaning, ADLER Top-Finish for refreshing and protecting.
• ✕Do not pool water on timber surfaces - apply sparingly and dry promptly.
• ✕Do not use microfibre cloths on timber surfaces - cotton cloths only.

uPVC Surfaces (ALEVO, MATRIX 9)

• ✓Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✕Do not use solvents or aggressive chemical cleaners.
• ✓Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or scouring pads.

Hardware (ACTUAL INSIDE Fitting System)

• ✓Oil all moving parts at least once per year.
• ✓Access concealed hinges by opening the window fully.
• ✓Lubricate mushroom pin latches and safety closing elements.
• ✓Check all fittings for smooth operation during each cleaning session.
• ✕Do not use silicone spray on hardware components.

Seals and Drainage

• ✓Inspect seals at every cleaning session for cracking, hardening, or displacement.
• ✓Keep seals clean and free from dirt build-up.
• ✓Keep drainage openings clear at all times.
• ✓Clear drainage channels of debris during every cleaning session.

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

Pro Tools

My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every ACTUAL Fenster Türen & Sonnenschutz installation.

1. 1

   Preparation -- before any water touches the glass

   Fill the bucket with at least 10 litres of water. Add soap for cleaning power -- enough to cut through environmental deposits, not so much you are fighting foam.

   Before touching the glass, brush down the surface to remove loose dust, spiderwebs, and debris. Any grit left on the glass during the wash phase risks scratching during agitation.

   Check the aluminium frame condition before you start. Confirm which cleaning product is safe for that surface before opening any bottle.

   Cover anything below the windows that cannot be moved.

2. 2

   Agitation -- apply and work the solution

   Dip the microfiber T-bar completely into the soap water, both sides. Remove excess water with your hand so it does not drip. Apply the solution across the entire glass surface with overlapping passes.

   The goal is to fully dissolve and release every deposit from the glass surface. Anything not released during agitation gets transported across the glass by the squeegee as a smear.

   For stubborn spots -- insect marks, salt residue, environmental deposits -- re-apply soap water and allow it to soak for a full minute before agitating again. Use more soap water, not more pressure.

   For panels above arm reach: attach the T-bar to an extension pole. Work in sections -- top first, then middle, then bottom -- keeping each section wet until you squeegee it.

   Rinse the T-bar cover regularly during the job. A dirty applicator causes microscopic scratches that accumulate over time.

3. 3

   Detail the frame edge before squeegeeing

   Use your 100% cotton towelling rag, finger pressed into the fabric, to work into every junction and remove pooled soap water before the squeegee pass.

   This prevents drips running down onto already-cleaned areas during squeegeeing and keeps soap water out of drainage channels.

   On Actual aluminium frames, pay particular attention to the bottom edge where glass meets the frame sill -- water pooled here runs into drainage openings and leaves residue over time.

4. 4

   The squeegee

   Tilt the squeegee at a slight angle so soap water spills from one side of the channel only -- not both. If the rubber is jumping or squeaking, either the rubber is not lubricated enough or the glass surface has warmed.

   Cutting in: start with the rubber blade making first contact on a dry edge of the glass.

   Side to side: horizontal passes across the panel. Works well on wide sections. Top to bottom: vertical passes down the panel. Works well on tall narrow sections.

   The J tune: one smooth unbroken motion top to bottom, wrist rotating at each end to reverse without lifting the rubber. The most efficient method on larger panels -- but it requires training before applying it to premium glass.

   Wipe the rubber dry after every pass. Overlap each stroke by 2-3 cm.

5. 5

   Final edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, there is always a residual line of water along the bottom edge and at the panel sides. Take a dry cotton rag, fold to a clean corner, and detail these edges in one smooth pass.

   On Actual frames, the bottom edge where glass meets the sill requires the most careful attention. Water left here runs into drainage and leaves residue that affects the next clean.

   Rotate the rag to a clean section after every pass. If the rag picks up grit at any point, replace it immediately.

6. 6

   Frame wipe and hardware check

   On Actual powder-coated aluminium frames: use pH-neutral cleaner only, never abrasive pads or steel wool. Dry immediately after wiping.

   Check that all drainage openings are clear and unobstructed. Water must be able to flow freely -- a blocked channel leads to accumulation that affects seal performance over time.

   Operate every opening window through its full range. Stiff handles or resistance at locking points indicate hardware that needs lubrication. Flag it to the owner rather than forcing it.

Pro Tips

• ★ On ACTUAL's flush cubic design, every streak and residue mark is visible - there is no frame shadow to hide imperfections.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. The flush glass-to-frame junction transfers dirt directly onto the glass during squeegeeing.
• ★ Use cotton cloths only on timber surfaces - microfibre damages the wood finish.
• ★ The concealed ACTUAL INSIDE hardware is easy to overlook. Open the window fully to access hidden lubrication points.
• ★ ACTUAL specifies ADLER products by name for timber care. Do not substitute with generic wood care products.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban Vienna environments with traffic pollution and pollen.). Aluminium exterior: 2x per year + conserve 1-2x per year (Clean twice yearly, treat/protect the surface once or twice per year.). Timber interior (ALWOOD, CUBIC 9): Inspect 2x per year, ADLER treatment 1x per year (ADLER Pflegeset-Plus annually. Inspect for damage at each cleaning.). Hardware (ACTUAL INSIDE): 1x per year minimum (Oil all concealed moving parts. Open window fully to access.). Drainage clearing: Every cleaning session (Blocked drainage causes water damage to seals and hardware.). Seal inspection: Every cleaning session (Check for cracking, hardening, or displacement.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year, quarterly in Vienna with pollution and pollen. Aluminium exterior: twice-yearly cleaning plus 1-2 conservation treatments per year. Timber interior: inspect twice yearly for damage, ADLER Pflegeset-Plus treatment once per year. Concealed ACTUAL INSIDE hardware: annual oiling - open window fully to access hidden lubrication points. Drainage: clear openings at every cleaning session to prevent water damage.”

Justin Orloff