Cortizo — 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 with lukewarm water mixed with 2% neutral soap solution.
• ✓Use a soft sponge, drying cloth, or absorbent paper.
• ✓Gently rub the glass surface, then wipe dry with an absorbent cloth.
• ✓Cortizo recommends repeating this operation monthly.
• ✓Steam cleaning machines may be used on glass.
• ✕Do not use sharp tools (knives, spatulas) on glass surfaces.
• ✕Do not use steel wool or abrasive sponges.
• ✕Do not use aggressive bathroom cleaners or lacquer solvents.

Aluminium Frames (Lacquered/Powder-Coated) - Use PREVENT COLOR kit

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and 2% neutral soap using a soft sponge.
• ✓Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth after cleaning.
• ✓Use the Cortizo PREVENT COLOR kit specifically for lacquered aluminium and foil-wrapped PVC.
• ✕Do not use solvents, abrasive cleaners, or lacquer removers.
• ✕Do not use steel wool or abrasive sponges.

Aluminium Frames (Anodised) - Use PREVENT BASE kit

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and 2% neutral soap using a soft sponge.
• ✓Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth after cleaning.
• ✓Use the Cortizo PREVENT BASE kit specifically for anodised aluminium and basic PVC finishes.
• ✕Do not use alkaline or acid-based products on anodised surfaces.
• ✕Do not use abrasive materials.

PVC Frames

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and 2% neutral soap using a soft sponge.
• ✕No solvents - solvents degrade PVC permanently.
• ✕No ammonia-based products.
• ✕No bleach.
• ✓PREVENT BASE kit covers basic PVC; PREVENT COLOR covers foil-wrapped PVC.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all friction elements (hinges, handles, locks) every six months using clean, non-resinous grease or oil.
• ✓Corner drives contain permanent grease and do not require additional lubrication.
• ✓Check that all locking points engage correctly during each lubrication cycle.

Gaskets and Drainage

• ✓Vacuum dust and debris from around seals and the chamber between the frame and the sash.
• ✓Inspect seals annually for cracking, compression, or shrinkage.
• ✓Clear drainage slots of any blockages at least every six months.
• ✓Blocked drainage leads to water accumulation inside the frame channel, which accelerates corrosion and can cause seal damage.

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 Cortizo 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 Cortizo 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 Cortizo 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 Cortizo 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 finish type before anything else - anodised and lacquered aluminium look similar when installed but require completely different products. When in doubt, check the original documentation or contact the installer.
• ★ Cortizo recommends monthly glass cleaning for best results - more frequent than most manufacturers. In coastal, motorway, or industrial locations this is especially important to prevent atmospheric deposits from bonding to the finish.
• ★ The PREVENT BASE and PREVENT COLOR kits are available through authorised Cortizo retailers - using the correct kit is the safest approach and the one the manufacturer endorses.
• ★ Corner drives in Cortizo hardware contain permanent grease and should never be lubricated with additional product - only oil the friction elements.
• ★ On the COR 70's 20 mm exterior sightlines, the frame edge is very narrow. Squeegee control matters more here than on wider-profile systems.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Twice per year minimum (Cortizo recommends monthly glass cleaning for best results.). Urban, coastal, or industrial environments: Quarterly (Cortizo explicitly notes higher contamination in these locations.). Hardware lubrication: Every six months (Clean non-resinous oil or grease on friction elements only. Corner drives do not need additional lubrication.). Drainage slot clearance: Every six months minimum. Seal and gasket inspection: Annually, and after heavy storms. Chamber vacuuming (between frame and sash): Every six months

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year - Cortizo recommends monthly for best results. Coastal, industrial, and motorway locations: quarterly minimum. Hardware lubrication (friction elements only): every six months. Drainage slot clearance: every six months minimum. Seal inspection: annually and after heavy storms.”

Justin Orloff