Hrachowina Fenster & Türen — 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 warm water and a soft, clean cloth or professional squeegee with fresh rubber.
• ✓Use mild pH-neutral cleaning products only.
• ✓Remove construction dust and debris from glass immediately after building work.
• ✕Do not use abrasive or solvent-containing cleaning agents.
• ✓Do not use steel wool, scouring pads, or razor blades.

Lacquered Timber Frames (Holz Standard, H-SMAL, HA ranges - interior)

• ✓Clean with warm water and a soft cloth.
• ✓Use ADLER Pflegeset-Plus once per year for lacquered surfaces.
• ✓First clean with warm water and sponge cloths, then allow to dry completely before applying care product.
• ✓Apply the ADLER care product with a cotton cloth or sponge.
• ✕Do not use abrasive or solvent-containing cleaning agents.
• ✓Do not allow water to pool on timber surfaces.

Larch Timber Frames (oiled finish)

• ✕Use ADLER Pullex Holzol 50520 only - no substitutes.
• ✓Clean the surface first with warm water and sponge cloths.
• ✓Apply the oil thinly to the dry surface with a sponge or cotton cloth.
• ✓If the wood shows strong absorption, repeat after overnight drying.
• ✓Frequency: 1-2 times per year depending on exposure.

Aluminium Cladding (HA and Kunststoff-Alu ranges - exterior)

• ✓Clean with Powder Polish twice per year.
• ✓Use lukewarm water and a soft cloth for general cleaning.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
• ✕Remove bird excrement promptly - it attacks the powder-coated surface.
• ✓Do not use abrasive products on the powder coating.

PVC/Kunststoff Frames

• ✓Clean with warm water and a mild pH-neutral detergent.
• ✓Use a soft cloth - no abrasive cloths or pads.
• ✕PVC profiles contain lead-free greenline stabilisers - they are sensitive to aggressive chemicals.
• ✓Do not use solvent-containing cleaning agents on PVC.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all moving parts with acid-free, resin-free oil at least once per year.
• ✓Safety mushroom bolts (Kunststoff range) need regular lubrication.
• ✕Do not use silicone spray.
• ✓Do not use general-purpose lubricants.

Seals and Drainage

• ✓Inspect seals annually for cracks, hardening, or displacement.
• ✓Clear all drain channels at every cleaning session.
• ✕The optimised trough sealing system on Holz-Alu windows directs water outward - blocked channels defeat this design.

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 Hrachowina Fenster & Türen 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 Hrachowina 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 Hrachowina 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 Hrachowina 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 your Hrachowina system before picking up a cloth - four material categories, nine product ranges, two different timber care products.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. On the HA-SMAL with its narrow sash, the squeegee margin is tight - clear the frame edge meticulously.
• ★ Use cotton cloths on all timber surfaces - microfibre marks lacquered timber.
• ★ ADLER Pullex Holzol 50520 is for larch only. ADLER Pflegeset-Plus is for lacquered timber. Do not interchange them.
• ★ Clear all drainage channels at every cleaning session - Hrachowina's trough sealing system depends on free-flowing drainage.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass: 2x per year minimum (Four times per year in urban Vienna with traffic pollution and pollen.). Lacquered timber frames: ADLER Pflegeset-Plus 1x per year (Clean with warm water first, allow to dry, then apply.). Oiled larch frames: ADLER Pullex Holzol 50520 1-2x per year (Depending on exposure. Repeat if wood absorbs heavily.). Aluminium cladding: Powder Polish 2x per year (Plus immediate removal of bird excrement.). PVC frames: Every cleaning session (Warm water and mild detergent.). Hardware lubrication: 1x per year minimum (Acid-free, resin-free oil. No silicone spray.). Drainage channel clearing: Every cleaning session (Critical for Holz-Alu trough sealing system.). Seal inspection: 1x per year (Check for cracks, hardening, or displacement.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass: minimum twice per year, four times in urban Vienna with pollution and pollen. Lacquered timber: ADLER Pflegeset-Plus once per year after cleaning and drying. Oiled larch: ADLER Pullex Holzol 50520 one to two times per year - no substitutes. Aluminium cladding: Powder Polish twice per year, plus immediate bird excrement removal. PVC frames: clean each session with warm water and mild detergent. Hardware: annual oiling with acid-free, resin-free oil. No silicone spray. Drainage: clear at every session - Hrachowina's trough sealing depends on it.”

Justin Orloff