Elitfönster — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Rinse the glass surface first, before any cleaning, to remove loose grit and debris.
• ✓For standard glass: mild dish soap and water with a squeegee is acceptable.
• ✕For coated or energy glass (energiglas): use 3 parts water to 1 part T-röd solution. Rinse thoroughly. Dry with a lint-free cloth.
• ✓Apply with a lint-free cloth or a rubber squeegee.
• ✕Do not use strong or abrasive cleaning products.
• ✕Do not use metal scrapers or razor blades on glass.
• ✓Do not clean in direct sunlight or at high temperatures.

Painted Timber Frames (Original Trä Objekt 100)

• ✓Wash with lukewarm water and a mild detergent approximately once per year.
• ✓Avoid aggressive cleaning products with a high pH value.
• ✕Avoid solvents.
• ✕Avoid ammonia-based cleaners.
• ✕Inspect annually for blisters, cracks, or flaking in the surface treatment. Address damage promptly to prevent moisture penetration.
• ✓If repainting is required, ensure timber moisture content is below 16% before applying primer and finish coats.

Aluminium-Clad Frames (Original Alu, Harmoni)

• ✓Clean with water and a mild detergent.
• ✓The aluminium exterior can be waxed for additional protection against lacquer degradation.
• ✓Touch up any scratches with matching paint available from hardware retailers.
• ✓Inspect at least once yearly.

Hardware

• ✓Oil all hinges, handles, and locking mechanisms 1 to 2 times per year.
• ✓Use lock oil or sewing machine oil without silicone.
• ✓Clean debris from fittings and lock points before applying oil.
• ✓Rotate the handle several times after lubrication to distribute the oil evenly.
• ✕Window brakes (friction stays) must remain dry. Do not lubricate them. If a window brake becomes sluggish, clean it rather than oil it.

Gaskets, Ventilation Filters, and Drainage

• ✓Wipe seals with a slightly damp cloth. Replace seals if damaged.
• ✓Clean ventilation filters at least twice per year using a vacuum cleaner, soft brush, or mild soap solution.
• ✓Keep drainage holes clear and unobstructed.
• ✓Check drainage channels before autumn and winter when leaves and debris accumulate.

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 Elitfönster 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 timber 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 Elitfonster timber 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 Elitfonster 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 Elitfonster timber frames: use a barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Never allow water to sit on timber joints or frame corners -- moisture causes swelling and paint failure.

   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

• ★ Identifying coated versus standard glass is the single most important step before cleaning an Elitfönster window - mixing up the cleaning solution causes permanent coating damage.
• ★ Rinse before you clean - Elitfönster explicitly specifies this to flush away loose grit that would otherwise be dragged across the glass by the applicator.
• ★ Window brakes are the most commonly mishandled fitting - never oil them. Friction is their function. If sluggish, clean them.
• ★ Timber frame inspection is not optional if you want the rot warranty to hold - Elitfönster explicitly states that inadequate or neglected maintenance voids the guarantee.
• ★ Ventilation filter cleaning twice a year is a small task that most cleaning routines skip - and Elitfönster considers it part of standard maintenance.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Twice per year minimum (Inside and out.). Urban, high-pollution, or exposed coastal locations: Quarterly. Original Trä timber frames: Inspect annually (Repaint or treat surface as required based on exposure and condition.). Aluminium-clad frames: Wash and wipe as needed, inspect annually. Hardware lubrication: 1 to 2 times per year (Silicone-free oil. Window brakes: do not lubricate - clean only.). Ventilation filters: At least twice per year. Drainage channels: Clear before autumn and winter; check after heavy storms. Gaskets and seals: Inspect once per year; replace if damaged

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year - quarterly in urban, coastal, or high-pollution locations. Timber frame inspection: annually - skipping this voids the rot warranty. Hardware: silicone-free oil 1-2 times per year. Window brakes: clean only, never oil. Ventilation filters: clean at least twice per year. Drainage channels: clear before autumn and winter; check after heavy storms. Gaskets and seals: inspect annually; replace if damaged.”

Justin Orloff