Alumil — 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 glass surfaces with lukewarm water and a mild cleaning product such as dish soap.
• ✓Use a very soft cloth or sponge. Do not use abrasive materials or sharp objects.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water after washing.
• ✓Remove construction debris, cement, and plaster promptly - they become harder to remove over time.
• ✕Do not stick adhesive tape or similar materials onto the glass or frames - they may damage the surface.

Aluminium Frames (Powder-Coated)

• ✓Clean with a very soft cloth or sponge, lots of water, and a mild cleaning product such as dish soap.
• ✓A simple microfibre cloth and water is sufficient for routine cleaning.
• ✕Never use gardening hoses or high-pressure cleaning equipment.
• ✓Avoid harsh cleaners or corrosive products - they can destroy the finish over time.
• ✓Do not use sharp objects for cleaning. Dampen a cloth with warm water and run it over stubborn spots repeatedly.

Anodised Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and a neutral pH detergent suitable for anodised surfaces.
• ✕Do not use alkaline cleaners on anodised aluminium - they etch the surface permanently.
• ✕Do not use acidic cleaners below pH 5 on anodised aluminium.
• ✓When in doubt, test any cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Hardware

• ✓Inspect hinges, handles, and mechanisms regularly.
• ✓Lubricate all moving parts at least once per year with a light machine oil or silicone-free lubricant.
• ✓On RC-rated systems, check that all multi-point locking points engage smoothly.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Inspect sealing rubbers regularly for cracking, UV degradation, or loss of elasticity.
• ✓Wipe gaskets with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris.
• ✕Do not use solvent-based products on gaskets - they accelerate rubber degradation.

Drainage and Tracks

• ✓Keep frame tracks clean - this is where dust and small debris collect over time.
• ✓Clear drainage slots in the frame profile to prevent water pooling.
• ✓On sliding systems, vacuum or brush out the bottom track at 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 Alumil 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 Alumil 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 Alumil 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 Alumil 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

• ★ Identify the surface finish before you start - powder-coated, anodised, preanodised, or wood-effect sublimation. The cleaning protocol differs.
• ★ Do not use alkaline cleaners on anodised Alumil frames - they etch the surface permanently.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ On SMARTIA M-series sliding systems, vacuum the bottom track at every cleaning session.
• ★ Wood-effect sublimation finishes scratch through permanently if scrubbed with an abrasive pad.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban environments with pollution, pollen, and construction dust.). Coastal or seaside locations: 4x per year minimum (Salt corrosion on aluminium needs regular removal.). Hardware inspection and lubrication: 1x per year (Without fail. Check all moving parts and locking points.). Gasket and seal inspection: Every cleaning session (Note UV degradation and report damaged seals to your Alumil fabricator.). Sliding system track clearing: Every cleaning session (Vacuum or brush out the bottom track to prevent grit buildup.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: twice per year minimum, quarterly in urban environments, four times per year near the coast. Identify the surface finish first - wrong products on anodised aluminium cause permanent etching. Sliding system tracks: vacuum at every cleaning session to prevent grit buildup and scratched sills. Hardware: annual lubrication with silicone-free oil. On RC-rated systems, check every locking point. Gaskets: inspect at every cleaning session for UV degradation and loss of elasticity.”

Justin Orloff