DAKO — 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 clean water or products dedicated to glass cleaning.
• ✓Use cotton materials or specialised microfibre cloths only.
• ✓Do not use abrasive cloths or brushes that could scratch the glass surface.
• ✕Do not use chemical products not specifically designed for window cleaning.
• ✕Do not use corrosive agents.

PVC Frames

• ✓Clean with clean water or products specifically designed for PVC surfaces.
• ✓Use cotton materials or soft cloths.
• ✓No abrasive cloths or brushes.
• ✕No acetone-based cleaning solutions - acetone leaves permanent marks on PVC.
• ✕No baking soda on coloured PVC frames - its whitening properties cause irreversible discolouration.
• ✓No strong commercial degreasers.
• ✓No products designed to remove rust or lime deposits.
• ✓No daily household chemicals - these degrade the PVC surface over time.

Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean with clean water or products specifically designed for aluminium.
• ✓Use soft cloths.
• ✓No abrasive pads or brushes.
• ✕No corrosive agents.
• ✓No strong degreasers or rust-removal products.

Timber Frames

• ✓Clean once per year with mild, non-abrasive products.
• ✕No strong detergents, ammonia, alcohol, or acetone on timber surfaces.
• ✓Use soft cloths only.
• ✓Monitor the timber surface for cracks or peeling - address minor finish damage immediately to prevent moisture penetration.
• ✓Apply conservation milk for timber annually to protect the surface from atmospheric exposure.
• ✓Full refinishing required every 3-5 years: every 5 years if conservation milk is used regularly, every 3 years without it.

Hardware

• ✓Clean hardware twice per year using gentle, pH-neutral products only.
• ✕No strong cleaning milks, rust removers, or lime deposit removers - these degrade the corrosion-protective coating on hinges and locks.
• ✓No daily household chemicals.
• ✓Lubricate all moving parts and contact points annually with dedicated maintenance grease or oil.
• ✓Inspect hardware for wear and replace damaged components promptly.

Protective Film

• ✓Remove DAKO's manufacturer-applied protective film within 3 months during storage and within 1 month after installation.
• ✓Do not remove film too early - premature removal risks surface damage.
• ✕Do not leave the film in place too long - delayed removal makes it extremely difficult to remove and can damage the surface underneath.

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 DAKO 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 Dako 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 Dako 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 Dako 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 frame material before you start - PVC, aluminium, timber, or hybrid. One wrong product on the wrong surface causes irreversible damage.
• ★ Never use acetone on DAKO PVC frames - it leaves permanent marks. Never use baking soda on coloured PVC - irreversible whitening.
• ★ Use separate cloths for each frame material to prevent cross-contamination from residue on other surfaces.
• ★ On DAKO DPQ-82 deep profiles, pay extra attention to the bottom frame channel - more water collects there than on shallower profiles.
• ★ If DAKO's protective film is still on the window, check the installation date. Remove within 1 month of installation. Do not delay.
• ★ Timber frames need annual conservation milk application - not just cleaning. The 3-5 year refinishing cycle is not optional if you want the wood protected.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Inside and out. Urban environments with traffic pollution or construction dust: quarterly.). Hardware cleaning: Twice per year (pH-neutral products only.). Hardware lubrication: Once per year (Dedicated maintenance grease or conservation oil.). Timber frames - conservation milk: Once per year. Timber surface refinishing: Every 3-5 years (Every 5 years with regular conservation milk use; every 3 years without it.). Gasket and seal inspection: Once per year, or after heavy storms. Drainage channels: Check and clear at each cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year; quarterly in urban environments with high pollution or construction dust. Hardware: clean twice per year with pH-neutral products; lubricate annually with dedicated maintenance grease. Timber frames: annual conservation milk application; refinishing every 3-5 years. Drainage channels: check and clear at every cleaning session. Protective film: remove within 1 month of installation - do not delay.”

Justin Orloff