AluK Group — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Use pH-neutral glass cleaner on a microfibre cloth or rubber squeegee for all glass surfaces.
• ✓On low-E coated surfaces, avoid abrasive materials - the coating is on the inner face of the IGU but the outer face of large-pane systems can carry anti-reflective treatments.
• ✓Clean gaskets (the rubber seals around the glass) with a damp cloth only - no cleaners that could dry out rubber.
• ✓Inspect the glazing bead seal at the frame perimeter annually for cracking or lifting.
• ✓Do not attempt to clean between panes - failed IGU units require professional replacement.

Frames

• ✓Clean powder-coated aluminium with warm water and pH-neutral detergent on a soft cloth.
• ✓For anodised aluminium, use a specialist anodised aluminium cleaner or diluted mild detergent - never bleach or caustic products.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning - detergent residue left on aluminium attracts dirt and can cause surface staining under UV.
• ✓Apply a thin coat of car-grade wax or specialist aluminium frame protector once or twice yearly to maintain the powder coat.
• ✓Check the outer perimeter sealant bead (between frame and masonry) for cracks every spring.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all pivot points, hinges, and locking multipoints with a PTFE-based or light machine oil lubricant twice yearly.
• ✓AluK systems often use high-security multipoint locks - check that all locking points engage cleanly and the handle torque feels consistent.
• ✓On sliding systems, clean the running track with a stiff brush to remove grit, then apply a silicone-based track lubricant.
• ✓Inspect the espagnolette bar guide clips for cracking or loosening - these are the first hardware component to show age.
• ✓Do not use WD-40 as a long-term lubricant on aluminium window hardware - it displaces moisture short-term but leaves a residue that gums up over time.

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 AluK Group 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 AluK 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 AluK 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 AluK 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

• ★ Powder-coated dark colours (anthracite, black) on south-facing elevations reach very high surface temperatures in summer. Clean these early morning or in shade to avoid cleaner drying on the hot surface before rinsing.
• ★ AluK sliding door tracks collect grit faster than any other component. A stiff brush and vacuum before wet cleaning prevents grinding grit into the track surface and roller bearings.
• ★ Never use limescale remover products on aluminium frames. The acids used to dissolve calcium attack aluminium oxide and permanently etch the surface.
• ★ If the powder coat has a small chip or scratch down to bare aluminium, treat with a touch-up pen in the matching RAL colour quickly. Bare aluminium in urban or coastal environments pits within a single season.
• ★ Multipoint locks on AluK systems are precision-engineered. If a locking point consistently misses its keep, the frame geometry has shifted. This is a hinge adjustment job, not a hardware replacement.
• ★ The thermal break polyamide bar is not a structural weak point, but it should not be contacted with solvent-based cleaners. If cleaning around frame joints, use water-based products only.
• ★ AluK systems are well-supported across Europe. Replacement hardware is available through the original fabricator in most markets.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass cleaning: Every 6-8 weeks (Shorter interval on urban or coastal locations.). Frame cleaning: Every 3-4 months (Plus wax protection twice yearly on powder-coated frames.). Hardware lubrication: Twice yearly (Spring and autumn. Track cleaning on sliding doors every 3 months.). Full service inspection: Annually (Including perimeter sealant, drainage, hardware adjustment, and surface protection.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“AluK sliding systems are some of the smoothest-running large-format sliders we work on, but the track tolerance is tight. Grit in the track causes roller wear very quickly - track cleaning is not optional. In Austria, AluK systems appear frequently in architect-specified residential projects. The hardware quality at this level is high but the multipoint geometry means hinge adjustment needs a professional who knows the system. Powder coat on AluK profiles is typically applied to Qualicoat Class 1 or Class 2 standard. Class 2 is significantly more UV-stable and worth specifying for south-facing facades.”

Justin Orloff