Neuffer 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 lukewarm water and a mild pH-neutral dish soap or specialist glass cleaner.
• ✕No solvents of any kind on or near the glass seals.
• ✕No ammonia - this rules out most commercial glass sprays.
• ✓No bleach.
• ✓No abrasive cloths, steel wool, scouring pads, or metal tools.
• ✓No sharp tools or razor blades on the glass surface.
• ✕Do not power wash or use a high-pressure hose - water can be forced past seals and into the frame.
• ✓Never clean in direct sunlight - cleaning solution dries before it can be removed, leaving residue on the glass.

uPVC Frames (Energeto 8000 and TwinSet Energeto)

• ✓Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth or soft sponge.
• ✓Remove excess water with a clean, dry, non-abrasive cloth.
• ✕No solvents - solvents degrade uPVC and the damage is permanent.
• ✓No ammonia.
• ✕No bleach - bleach discolours uPVC permanently.
• ✓No abrasive pads or cloths.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Aluminium-Clad uPVC Frames (TwinSet Energeto exterior)

• ✓Wipe down the aluminium exterior with a soft cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✓The anodised aluminium exterior is highly weather-resistant and requires minimal maintenance.
• ✕No abrasive pads or cleaners - these scratch the anodised surface.
• ✓No acid-based products or alkaline cleaners.

Timber Frames and Timber Interiors (ECO Plano, ECO Idealu)

• ✓Clean timber surfaces with a soft damp cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✕Do not saturate timber with water - use a damp cloth, not a wet one.
• ✓Refinish the timber surface on a regular cycle: varnish approximately every 2 to 3 years, paint coatings every 4 to 5 years.
• ✓Apply wood care milk twice a year after cleaning to protect the timber surface.
• ✓No solvents, ammonia, or bleach on any timber surface.

Aluminium Frames (Aluprof)

• ✓Wipe down with a soft cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✓The powder-coated or anodised aluminium surfaces are corrosion-resistant and low-maintenance.
• ✕No abrasive pads or harsh alkaline or acid-based cleaners.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all moving parts at least once per year using a light machine oil or specialist window hardware lubricant.
• ✓Open the window fully (to the point of resistance, not past it) when cleaning or lubricating hardware.
• ✓Check all hardware for smooth operation twice per year.

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 Neuffer 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 Neuffer 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 Neuffer 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 Neuffer 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 picking up a cloth - five materials, five different care rules, and the wrong product causes permanent damage.
• ★ Use separate cloths for each frame material. Never cross-contaminate care products between uPVC, timber, and aluminium surfaces.
• ★ Do not open a Neuffer window past the resistance point when cleaning or lubricating - forcing it damages hinges and the frame.
• ★ Timber surfaces need wood care milk twice a year after cleaning - not just a wipe-down.
• ★ On Energeto and TwinSet systems, avoid directing water pressure at the frame-to-glass seal line - this is where the thermal performance of the unit is most at risk from water ingress.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Minimum 2x per year (Inside and out. Urban and high-traffic locations: quarterly.). Timber surface refinishing: Varnish every 2-3 years (Paint coatings every 4-5 years depending on climate and weather exposure.). Wood care milk application: 2x per year (After cleaning, on all exposed timber surfaces.). Hardware lubrication: Once per year minimum (Light machine oil or specialist window hardware lubricant.). Gasket and seal inspection: Once per year (Or after severe storms or extreme weather events.). Full hardware check: 2x per year (Smooth operation with no stiffness. Stiffness means lubrication is overdue or adjustment is needed.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: twice per year minimum, quarterly in urban or high-traffic locations. Timber surface refinishing: varnish every 2-3 years, paint coatings every 4-5 years. Wood care milk: apply twice per year on all exposed timber surfaces after cleaning. Hardware lubrication: once per year minimum with light machine oil. Gasket and seal inspection: once per year or after severe storms.”

Justin Orloff