Aluprof — 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 with clean water and a non-scratching cloth.
• ✕Use only cleaning agents with a pH between 5 and 8.
• ✓Water temperature must not exceed 25 degrees Celsius.
• ✓Coating surface temperature must not exceed 25 degrees Celsius during cleaning.
• ✕Do not clean coatings using a jet of steam.
• ✓Before using any cleaning agent, test it on an invisible surface first.

Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean with a soft cloth and warm water with a gentle detergent.
• ✓Materials in contact with coatings must be pH-neutral and must not contain substances harmful to the applied paint or oxide layer.
• ✓For difficult stains like soot or grease, use products specifically designed for aluminium.
• ✓Wipe dry after washing to prevent water stains.
• ✓Protect scratches immediately with an appropriate touch-up varnish.
• ✕Remove protective film from profiles immediately after assembly - sunlight fuses the film permanently to the powder coating.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate hinges and mechanisms at least once per year.
• ✓Use products specifically intended for aluminium hardware to prevent corrosion.
• ✓Check for loose components and tighten screws as needed.
• ✓For the MB-77HS lift-and-slide system, lubricate the slide rail and lifting mechanism annually.

Seals and Gaskets

• ✓Clean seals with a damp cloth at least once per year.
• ✓After cleaning, treat seals with a special rubber care product to improve flexibility.
• ✕Replace damaged or hardened seals promptly - compromised seals reduce thermal and acoustic insulation.

Drainage

• ✓Inspect drainage openings in the frame and clear any blockages.
• ✓Blocked drainage causes water to pool inside the frame, damaging hardware and seals over time.
• ✓Clear drainage channels after heavy storms.

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 Aluprof 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 uPVC 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 Aluprof uPVC 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 Aluprof 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 Aluprof uPVC frames: solvent-free pH-neutral cleaner only -- solvents cause permanent surface damage. Avoid abrasive pads on the profile.

   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

• ★ pH 5-8 only - Aluprof specifies this limit explicitly for every surface. Most commercial glass sprays fall outside this range.
• ★ Water temperature must stay below 25 degrees Celsius. No steam cleaning under any circumstances.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ Wipe Aluprof frames dry after washing to prevent water stains on the powder-coated surface.
• ★ On MB-77HS panels, use lighter squeegee pressure and pole work - 600kg panels flex under hard pressure.

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 salt air locations: 4x per year (Salt deposits on aluminium need regular removal.). Seal cleaning and rubber care treatment: 1x per year minimum (Maintains flexibility and thermal insulation.). Hardware inspection and lubrication: 1x per year minimum (Including MB-77HS slide rail and lifting mechanism.). Drainage inspection and clearing: 1x per year, or after heavy storms (Blocked drainage pools water inside the frame.). MB-77HS sliding system track clearing: Every cleaning session (Vacuum debris 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. pH 5-8 is non-negotiable - test any unfamiliar product on a hidden surface first. Water and surface temperature below 25 degrees - no direct sunlight, no steam. Hardware: annual lubrication including MB-77HS slide rail and lifting mechanism. Seals: annual cleaning and rubber care treatment to maintain flexibility and performance.”

Justin Orloff