Inwido — 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 glass approximately four times per year using a soft brush, squeegee, and mild soapy water.
• ✓A rinse aid may be added to prevent limescale formation.
• ✓For sticker removal, soften with water first. Use a ceramic hob cleaner gently for stubborn residue.
• ✕Do not use abrasive tools, razor blades, or steel wool on glass surfaces.
• ✓Avoid strong cleaning agents containing ammonia or solvents on glass.

Wood Frames

• ✓Inspect painted frames annually for cracks in the finish, particularly on south-facing and west-facing elevations.
• ✕Repaint when cracks appear. Stained windows in exposed locations may need annual treatment.
• ✓The woodwork must be dry before any maintenance - moisture content below 15%.
• ✓Paint in suitable conditions only: air temperature 10-20 degrees Celsius, wood humidity approximately 12%.
• ✓Clean interior frames every six months with a cloth and mild pH-neutral soapy water. In kitchens, clean more frequently.
• ✓Do not apply paint or wood preservative to rubber gaskets.

Aluminium-Clad Frames

• ✓Aluminium-clad exterior surfaces are virtually maintenance free.
• ✓Clean external aluminium a few times per year, ideally when cleaning the glass.
• ✓Use a soft cloth with mild pH-neutral soapy water.
• ✓Rinse with clean water after washing.

uPVC Frames

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and a mild pH-neutral detergent.
• ✕Always rinse with clear water after cleaning - residue left to dry on uPVC can cause permanent discolouration.
• ✓Do not use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or strong chemical products.

Hardware and Gaskets

• ✓Lubricate all moving parts once per year with acid-free oil. Sewing machine oil is suitable.
• ✓For side-swing windows, use Interflon Finelube (Teflon spray).
• ✓In coastal locations (within five miles of the sea), lubricate more frequently.
• ✓Keep glide rails and rotation tracks free of dirt and debris.
• ✓Clean gaskets with a cloth and soapy water. Apply a silicone care product to maintain flexibility.
• ✕Keep gaskets free from paint and wood preservatives - these destroy the sealing capability.

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 Inwido 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 Inwido 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 Inwido 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 Inwido 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 brand and frame material before you start - wood, wood/aluminium, or uPVC. Each needs different care.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ Never let cleaning product residue dry on uPVC frames - the damage is permanent.
• ★ Do not apply paint or wood preservative to rubber gaskets - it destroys their sealing ability.
• ★ Lubricate all moving parts once per year with acid-free oil without fail - neglected hardware leads to mechanism failure.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass: 4x per year (Rationel's recommendation. Minimum twice per year inside and out.). Frames: When cleaning glass (Minimum twice per year, more frequently in kitchens.). Hardware lubrication: 1x per year (Acid-free oil on all moving parts. More frequently in coastal locations.). Gasket treatment: 1x per year minimum (Clean with soapy water and apply silicone care product.). Wood frame paint inspection: Annually (Repaint when cracks appear. Stained frames in exposed locations may need annual treatment.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass: 4x per year (Rationel recommendation), minimum 2x per year inside and out. Frames: wash when cleaning glass, more frequently in kitchens and near industrial areas. Hardware: annual lubrication with acid-free oil without fail. Coastal locations need more frequent attention. Wood frame paint: inspect annually, repaint when cracks appear before moisture damage sets in. Gaskets: annual cleaning and silicone treatment to maintain flexibility and sealing.”

Justin Orloff