REHAU — 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 warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.
• ✓Wipe down with a clean, dry, soft cloth to prevent water spots or streaks.

uPVC Frames

• ✓Use a soft brush or dry cloth to gently remove any loose dust and debris from the surface.
• ✓Dip a soft cloth or sponge into warm, soapy water and gently scrub the uPVC surfaces.
• ✓Rinse the surfaces thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.
• ✓No sanding, painting, or varnishing needed - uPVC profiles are maintenance-free in that regard.
• ✕No solvents, abrasive pads, or harsh chemicals - they permanently discolour or scratch uPVC.

Hardware

• ✓Oil all hardware once per year.
• ✓Check that locking mechanisms operate smoothly.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Inspect seals during regular cleaning.
• ✓Keep gasket surfaces free of dirt and debris that could prevent a proper seal.

Drainage Channels

• ✓Check that drainage slots in the frame are clear of debris.
• ✕Blocked drainage can cause water to pool inside the frame and damage the sealed unit over time.

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 REHAU 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 REHAU 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 REHAU 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 REHAU 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

• ★ Identify whether you have TOTAL70, GENEO, ARTEVO, or SYNEGO profiles - the surface properties differ.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ More soap water, not more pressure - never use razor blades or sharp tools on any REHAU surface.
• ★ Solvents and abrasive pads permanently damage uPVC surfaces - mild soapy water only.
• ★ On triple-glazed units, use lighter squeegee pressure because the heavier glass package flexes differently.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban environments with pollution, pollen, and construction dust.). uPVC frames: 2x per year minimum (More often in polluted locations where deposits can cause long-term discolouration.). Hardware: 1x per year (Oil all hardware and check that locking mechanisms operate smoothly.). Drainage channels: 1x per year (Or after heavy storms. Check that drainage slots are clear of debris.). Gaskets and seals: Each cleaning session (Inspect during regular cleaning for damage or dirt preventing a proper seal.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum, quarterly in urban environments with pollution and construction dust. uPVC frames: twice-yearly mild soap wipe-down prevents long-term discolouration from atmospheric deposits. Hardware: annual oiling and check that locking mechanisms operate smoothly. Drainage channels: annual clearing, or after heavy storms - blocked drainage damages sealed units. Gaskets and seals: inspect during every regular cleaning session.”

Justin Orloff