FAKRO — 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 water containing a mild detergent.
• ✓Use a soft lint-free cloth or non-abrasive sponge.
• ✕Do not use liquids containing ammonia on the glass or coatings.
• ✓On self-cleaning glass, avoid products that leave a residue on the surface.
• ✓Never dry-clean the glass - always wet the surface first.

Timber Frames

• ✓Wash wooden surfaces twice per year, in spring and autumn.
• ✓Use clean water with a mild detergent.
• ✓Do not saturate the timber - wipe with a damp cloth.
• ✕Renovate coatings and lacquers every 2-5 years depending on usage conditions.
• ✓For damaged areas, clean with emery paper (grade 180-220) or abrasive sponge, then apply two coats of water-based paint or lacquer.
• ✓During any painting or lacquering, do not cover the seals.

PVC and Polyurethane Frames

• ✓Clean with a mild household cleaner and soft cloth.
• ✓PVC frames are moisture-resistant and suitable for wet rooms.
• ✓Do not use abrasive tools on PVC surfaces.

Aluminium Cladding

• ✓Wash external aluminium cladding regularly using a mild detergent.
• ✓Rinse with clean water after washing.

Hardware and Drainage

• ✓Lubricate hinges with grease every few years.
• ✓Check pivot points and locking mechanisms for smooth operation.
• ✓Remove leaves and dirt from the flashing at least once per year.
• ✕Keep drain channels clear to ensure rainwater drainage.
• ✓Remove snow and ice accumulated around the window to ensure water flow from melting snow.
• ✓Blocked drainage causes water to pool inside the frame, damaging seals and timber.

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 FAKRO 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 FAKRO 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 FAKRO 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 FAKRO 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 - timber, polyurethane-coated timber, or PVC. Each needs different care.
• ★ Always engage the locking mechanism when the window is rotated. The sash can swing back under its own weight.
• ★ More soap water, not more pressure - FAKRO prohibits ammonia on all coatings and glass surfaces.
• ★ On self-cleaning glass, avoid any product that leaves a residue. It coats over the titanium dioxide layer and stops it working.
• ★ Never clean in direct sunlight - the soap water dries before you can squeegee it off, baking residue onto the surface.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Spring after pollen season and autumn after leaf fall. Quarterly in urban or high-pollution environments.). Flashing and drainage channels: 1x per year minimum (Clear debris to prevent water pooling inside the frame.). Hinges and hardware: Every few years (Lubricate with grease. Check pivot points and locking mechanisms.). Timber frame coatings: Every 2-5 years (Inspect at each cleaning. Renovate lacquer or paint when chips or wear appear.). Self-cleaning glass: Reduced frequency (Still requires manual cleaning after heavy pollen, under tree cover, or in sheltered positions where rain does not reach the glass.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum, quarterly in urban or high-pollution environments. Flashing and drainage channels: clear debris at least once per year to prevent frame damage. Timber frame coatings: inspect at each cleaning, renovate lacquer or paint every 2-5 years. Self-cleaning glass: reduced frequency, but manual cleaning still needed under tree cover and during dry spells. Hardware: lubricate hinges and pivot points with grease every few years.”

Justin Orloff