Oknoplast — 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 a soft microfibre cloth and a mild soap-and-water solution or a dedicated window cleaning product.
• ✓A solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and water is acceptable for stubborn streaks.
• ✕No ammonia-based products. Oknoplast explicitly flags ammonia as prohibited.
• ✕No cream cleaners or any products with abrasive particles, including scouring powders.
• ✕No steel wool or abrasive scouring pads - these cause irreversible surface damage.
• ✓Work from top to bottom using overlapping squeegee passes.
• ✓Rinse the glass with clean water before applying the cleaning solution on heavily soiled windows.

uPVC Frames

• ✓Clean with a soft cloth or sponge using warm water and mild dish soap.
• ✓For stubborn stains, use a dedicated uPVC frame cleaner. Use pH-neutral products designed for window frames.
• ✕No solvents of any kind - solvents degrade and discolour uPVC permanently.
• ✕No bleach - bleach discolours uPVC and the damage cannot be reversed.
• ✓No abrasive cleaners or rough pads.
• ✕No harsh chemical cleaners or oily preparations - these damage both uPVC surfaces and EPDM gaskets.
• ✓Dry the frames after cleaning to prevent water pooling against seals.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all hinges and locking points once per year using a non-acidic oil or specialist window lubricant.
• ✓Remove dirt and debris from around hinges and locking tracks using a small brush or compressed air.
• ✓Test the tilt-and-turn mechanism in both modes regularly.
• ✓Check that fastening bolts are correctly tensioned if the window does not open or close easily.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Clean seals with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth.
• ✓Apply a silicone-based lubricant or seal conditioner twice per year to keep seals soft and flexible.
• ✕Do not use oily preparations or concentrated cleaning agents on or near EPDM gaskets - Oknoplast states these can destroy the gasket material.
• ✓Inspect seals once per year for cracks, flattening, or gaps. Replace promptly if damage is found.

Drainage Channels

• ✓Keep window drainage slots and channels clear of debris. Blocked drainage causes water to pool in the frame.
• ✓Use a soft brush to clear drainage openings at the base of the frame after heavy rain or in autumn when leaf matter accumulates.

Sliding Door Rails and Tracks

• ✓Remove debris from sliding door rails regularly using a brush or vacuum.
• ✓Protect the door sill from water ingress during cleaning by placing a towel along the base.
• ✓Clean rails with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Dry thoroughly 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 Oknoplast 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 uPVC 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 Oknoplast uPVC 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 Oknoplast 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 Oknoplast uPVC frames: solvent-free pH-neutral cleaner only -- solvents cause permanent surface damage. Avoid abrasive pads on the profile.

   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

• ★ Ammonia-based glass sprays are explicitly prohibited by Oknoplast - this rules out most commercial window cleaning products. Mild soapy water only.
• ★ Solvents and bleach on uPVC are permanent damage. There is no fix. Check every product label before it touches an Oknoplast frame.
• ★ On large Winergetic Premium and Pilar panels, water pools at the bottom edge faster than on compact casements. Squeegee section by section and detail the bottom channel thoroughly.
• ★ EPDM gaskets: no oily preparations, no concentrated cleaning agents near the rubber. A silicone-based conditioner twice per year keeps them functional.
• ★ Never use fabric softener on microfibre cleaning cloths - it leaves a residue that transfers to the glass and is harder to remove than the original dirt.
• ★ Vinegar and newspaper are often cited as DIY cleaning tips. Do not use either directly on Oknoplast uPVC frames - both can degrade the surface over time.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Inside and out. Urban environments: quarterly. Coastal locations with salt air: quarterly at minimum.). Hardware lubrication: Once per year (Non-acidic oil or specialist window lubricant on hinges and locking points.). Seal conditioning: Twice per year (Silicone-based conditioner to keep EPDM gaskets soft and flexible.). Drainage slot inspection: After heavy rain and at the start of autumn. Seal inspection: Once per year (Check for cracks, flattening, or gaps.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year; quarterly in urban environments and coastal locations with salt air. Hardware lubrication: annual - non-acidic oil or specialist window lubricant on all hinges and locking points. EPDM gasket conditioning: twice per year with silicone-based conditioner. Drainage slots: clear after heavy rain and at the start of autumn when leaf matter accumulates. Seal inspection: once per year for cracks, flattening, or gaps.”

Justin Orloff