Alumafel — 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 with a microfibre cloth and rubber squeegee for all glass surfaces.
• ✓On large-format panels common in Alumafel sliding systems, work one panel section at a time to prevent solution drying before squeegee.
• ✓Check structural silicone glazing bonds annually for discolouration or bubbling - this indicates UV degradation of the sealant.
• ✓Inspect glazing gaskets for hardening or cracking, particularly on south and west-facing elevations where thermal load is highest.
• ✓Never attempt to separate glass from frame on structurally silicone-bonded systems without specialist advice.

Frames

• ✓Clean powder-coated aluminium with warm water and pH-neutral detergent on a soft microfibre cloth.
• ✓Rinse all frame surfaces thoroughly with clean water after cleaning - residue left on Qualicoat powder coat attracts dirt and can cause staining.
• ✓Apply specialist aluminium frame protector or car-grade paste wax to outer frame faces twice yearly.
• ✓For anodised frames, use only pH-neutral products - avoid anything with bleach, caustic soda, or strong acids.
• ✓Inspect perimeter sealant between frame and masonry each spring. Spanish masonry buildings with thermal movement need sealant inspection at least annually.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all hinges, pivot points, and multipoint locking bars with PTFE-based lubricant twice yearly.
• ✓On large-format sliding systems, clean running tracks with a stiff brush and vacuum before applying silicone track spray.
• ✓In hot climates, hardware lubricants break down faster than in temperate conditions. Three-times-yearly lubrication is advisable on south-facing elevations in Spain.
• ✓Check roller adjustment on sliding panels annually - roller wear is the primary cause of sliding panel drop.
• ✓Do not use petroleum-based lubricants on aluminium sliding tracks - they attract fine grit which then abrades the track surface.

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 Alumafel 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 Alumafel 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 Alumafel 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 Alumafel 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

• ★ Dark powder-coated Alumafel frames on south-facing Spanish elevations should be cleaned early morning before surface temperatures rise - cleaning solution on a 70-degree surface dries in seconds and leaves residue marks.
• ★ Large-format sliding tracks need cleaning every 2-3 months in Mediterranean climates, not annually. The combination of sand, dust, and pollen loads the track faster than central European environments.
• ★ Alumafel's folding door hardware is more complex than standard sliding. If a panel is binding or misaligned, resist adjusting it yourself - the multi-panel geometry means one adjustment affects every panel.
• ★ Qualicoat powder coat in Class 2 (higher UV rating) is the correct specification for south-facing facades in Spain. If you notice early chalking on relatively new frames, check whether Class 1 powder coat was applied in error.
• ★ Inspect structural silicone bonds on curtain wall and large-format systems every 2 years at a minimum. UV degradation of silicone is slow but cumulative - cracking or discolouration needs professional remediation before water ingress follows.
• ★ On high-altitude installations in Spain (Basque mountains, Sierra Nevada developments), freeze-thaw cycles act on any water trapped in drainage channels. Keep drainage clear year-round.
• ★ Alumafel systems at premium tier hold their value on a building. The investment in twice-yearly professional maintenance is modest relative to the cost of hardware replacement or frame remediation from neglect.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass cleaning: Every 4-6 weeks (Shorter interval in dusty or coastal Spanish environments.). Frame cleaning and wax: Every 3 months (Track cleaning on sliding systems every 2-3 months.). Hardware lubrication: Three times yearly (Hot climate accelerates lubricant breakdown.). Full service inspection: Twice yearly (Pre-summer and post-summer given extreme seasonal temperature range.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Alumafel systems engineered for Mediterranean climates are built to handle thermal extremes. The engineering is sound - the maintenance gap is almost always neglect of the sliding track, which turns into an expensive roller replacement when left. The Basque Country manufacturing origin means Alumafel has strong industrial precision roots. Profile tolerances are tight, which is why hardware alignment faults when they occur are usually installation-origin rather than manufacturing. Qualicoat Class 2 powder coat is worth specifying on any south-facing facade. The difference in UV stability over a 10-year period is significant and visible.”

Justin Orloff