Africa · Holding Company
PG Group — Window Cleaning Guide
🇿🇦 South Africa · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
Founded
1897
HQ
Cape Town, South Africa
Divisions
PG Glass, PG Aluminium, Shatterprufe
Materials
Architectural glass, automotive glass, glazing supply
Specialty
South Africa's dominant glass group
Market
South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
Brand at a Glance
- South Africa's largest glass and glazing group, established 1897
- PG Glass is the country's most recognised glass repair and replacement brand
- Shatterprufe dominates South African automotive safety glass
Product Range
- Architectural float glass (clear, tinted, reflective) via PG Glass supply
- Aluminium glazing systems via PG Aluminium (see PG Aluminium guide)
- Automotive safety glass via Shatterprufe
- Processed glass: toughened, laminated, insulating glass units
Why This System
PG Group's breadth means a window cleaner in South Africa will encounter PG products constantly - from the glass in a Cape Town villa to an office building in Johannesburg. PG Glass's nationwide network also means glass replacement and service is accessible, which matters when you spot damage during a clean.
South Africa has significant climate variation: Cape Town's Mediterranean climate with winter rain and summer UV; Gauteng's thunderstorm season with hail; Durban's humid subtropical coastal environment; and the dry interior of the Karoo. PG glass products behave consistently across these zones, but cleaning frequency and approach must adapt to local conditions.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
Since 1999 I've cleaned hundreds, if not thousands, of different window brands and systems. The physics of clean glass don't change from one brand to the next. Follow the steps below and you'll clean your PG Group windows to a professional standard — guaranteed.
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 PG Group installation.
- 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
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
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 PG Group 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
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
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 PG Group 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
Frame wipe and hardware check
On PG Group 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
- Cape Town coastal: salt air deposits on glass are invisible but cause corrosion at frame joints - rinse frames thoroughly on every visit.
- Gauteng hail season: inspect glass for micro-cracks before cleaning - pressure on cracked glass can cause it to shatter.
- Durban humidity: mould and mildew on frame seals is common - a dilute vinegar wipe on rubber seals (not frames) controls growth.
What NOT To Do
- Do not use blades on PG toughened glass - toughened glass is safe but surface scratches are permanent.
- Do not use acid-based products on PG reflective or coated glass.
- Do not clean without inspecting for hail damage first in Gauteng.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Every 6-8 weeks inland. Monthly on Cape Town and Durban coastal installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“PG Group glass is the South African default - most buildings you clean will have PG supply chain glass. Know the PG Glass nationwide network as a referral resource: when you spot a cracked or failed IGU seal, you can direct clients to PG Glass for replacement. This adds value to your service and builds client trust.”
Justin Orloff
What's next for you?
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