Fairview Windows & Doors — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Pre-rinse glass with clean water before applying cleaning solution - standard across NZ.
• ✓pH-neutral glass cleaning solution, squeegee top to bottom, wipe rubber after each pull.
• ✓Inspect glazing seals at every service.

Aluminium Frames

• ✓pH-neutral dampened soft cloth, rinse thoroughly. No abrasive pads.

uPVC Frames

• ✓pH-neutral, solvent-free cleaner only. No solvents, no citrus oil products.
• ✓Soft cloth only - no abrasive pads on uPVC.
• ✓Document yellowing on uPVC frames - UV degradation is irreversible and should be noted.

Tracks and Weep Holes

• ✓Brush and clear all sliding track channels before introducing water.
• ✓Clear weep holes at every service. NZ wind-driven rain demands clear drainage paths.
• ✓Apply silicone lubricant to sliding tracks after cleaning.

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 Fairview Windows & Doors 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 Fairview 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 Fairview 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 Fairview 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

• ★ On a Fairview property with both aluminium and uPVC windows, start with the aluminium windows first, change to a fresh cloth, then move to uPVC - this eliminates any risk of carrying aluminium cleaning residue onto uPVC surfaces
• ★ In South Island NZ, check Fairview uPVC window colour at first visit and photograph it - this protects you from being blamed for UV yellowing that preceded your service

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Coastal NZ - both islands: Every 4 to 6 weeks (Salt air and NZ wind demand regular service). Inland NZ residential: Every 6 to 10 weeks (Lower salt, seasonal conditions)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Fairview uPVC in South Island Christchurch and Dunedin properties shows the fastest yellowing rate in NZ - the South Island ozone gap increases UV intensity beyond North Island levels. Document uPVC frame colour at first visit. On properties with a mix of Fairview aluminium and uPVC windows, keeping separate cloths clearly labelled prevents cross-product cleaning errors.”

Justin Orloff