Bøjsø Døre & Vinduer — 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 a mild soap solution and a soft cloth.
• ✕Do not use harsh cleaning agents or scouring pads - these damage the glass surface and the surrounding putty.
• ✕Do not use abrasive tools of any kind on glass or glazing bars.
• ✓For the coupled construction, open the frames using the included Bøjsø tool and clean between the frames.
• ✓Contact Bøjsø directly for guidance on machine-drawn heritage glass cleaning.

Timber Frames

• ✓Clean timber frames with a mild soapy water solution and a soft cloth.
• ✕Do not use solvents, ammonia-based products, or bleach on timber surfaces - these attack the Teknos acrylic paint system and the linseed-based putty.
• ✕Do not use abrasive pads or scouring materials on painted surfaces.
• ✓Timber frames require periodic repainting. The Teknos diffusion-open acrylic system allows long intervals between full repaints - the exact schedule depends on exposure and climate.
• ✓For linseed oil-painted heritage windows, recoat with compatible linseed oil paint to preserve the diffusion-open character of the finish.
• ✓Wooden door thresholds require annual treatment with cold-pressed linseed oil with added fungicide or hardwood oil to prevent deterioration.

Hardware

• ✓Oil all hinges and locking mechanisms 1-2 times per year.
• ✓Use acid-free oil or grease on all moving parts.
• ✓Most Bøjsø hinges have pre-drilled holes specifically for oil injection.
• ✕Do not use general-purpose lubricants that leave sticky residues - these attract dust and grit.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Inspect seals and gaskets once per year, or after heavy storms.
• ✕The linseed oil-based putty in heritage glazing bars is flexible but requires protection - do not allow water to sit in contact with glazing bar putty over winter.
• ✓Contact your Bøjsø installer if gaskets are damaged or compressed flat.

Coupled Window Cavity

• ✓Open the coupled frames regularly and clean the cavity between the outer and inner frame.
• ✓Condensation between the coupled frames can appear seasonally - particularly after heavy rain or on winter mornings - and is normal. It typically dissipates quickly.
• ✓If condensation persists in the cavity over extended periods, contact your installer.

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 Bøjsø Døre & Vinduer 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 composite 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 Bojso composite 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 Bojso 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 Bojso frames, apply the appropriate product for each surface: pH-neutral for aluminium and glass, solvent-free for uPVC, barely damp cloth for timber. Never cross-contaminate products between surfaces.

   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

• ★ Coupled windows have two glass surfaces - the outer single pane and the inner energy pane - plus the cavity between. Plan time for all three.
• ★ Machine-drawn heritage glass is softer than modern float glass. Use a fresh squeegee rubber and moderate pressure.
• ★ Never let water pool in the putty glazing bar grooves - damp putty softens and loosens from the glass.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Dirty frame edges cause most of the streaks on Bøjsø windows.
• ★ The 20-year warranty is conditional on the timber repaint schedule. Do not skip it.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass (both panes): 2x per year minimum (Inside and out. The cavity between the coupled frames should also be opened and cleaned once per year.). Timber frame wipe-down: 2x per year (Mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Inspect the paint finish at the same time.). Wooden door thresholds: 1x per year (Cold-pressed linseed oil with added fungicide to prevent deterioration.). Hardware oiling: 1-2x per year (Acid-free oil into the pre-drilled oiling holes on Bøjsø hinges.). Gasket and seal inspection: 1x per year (Or after heavy storms. Contact installer if damaged.). Timber repaint cycle: Per installer schedule (Follow the interval recommended by your installer based on exposure and climate. The 20-year warranty depends on this.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass: minimum twice per year inside and out - spring and autumn. Coupled frame cavity: once per year, or whenever condensation lingers between frames for more than a day or two. Timber frame wipe-down: twice per year alongside glass cleaning - inspect paint finish at the same time. Hardware oiling: 1-2 times per year with acid-free oil into the pre-drilled hinge holes. Timber repaint cycle: per installer schedule - the 20-year warranty depends on it.”

Justin Orloff