Pella Corporation — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

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 Pella Corporation 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 composite 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 Pella composite 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 Pella 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 Pella frames, apply the appropriate product for each surface: pH-neutral for aluminium and glass, solvent-free for uPVC, barely damp cloth for timber. Never cross-contaminate products between surfaces.

   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

• ★ Pella double-hung windows tilt in for cleaning. The tilt-wash pivot mechanism is at the base of each sash. Tilt gently and do not force - the sash pivot is a precision fit and forcing it damages the pivot pin housing.
• ★ On homes with between-the-glass shades, homeowners sometimes ask why the shades look uneven from outside. Shades that are partially raised or closed create an uneven appearance through the glass that is not a cleaning issue - clarify this on first visit to avoid follow-up calls.
• ★ Pella hardware is brand-specific and not interchangeable with competitor parts. If you identify a hardware fault, document the model and note it for the homeowner to contact Pella directly.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Clean every 4–8 weeks depending on environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Between-the-glass blind models are the most common Pella-specific question cleaners receive from homeowners. Explain clearly on the first visit that the blinds are sealed inside the glass unit and do not require cleaning - this prevents the expectation that you will clean them. Pella screens - Rolscreen retractable and standard fibreglass mesh - should be removed before glass cleaning. Retractable screens retract into the frame housing and are not removable in the field. Impervia fibreglass windows in sun-belt states hold up exceptionally well compared to vinyl. If a client is considering a product upgrade, the Impervia dimensional stability in extreme heat is worth mentioning.”

Justin Orloff