REKORD Fenster — 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 cleaning agent.
• ✓Use a soft cloth or applicator - no abrasive materials.
• ✕No solvents of any kind on the glass surface.
• ✓No razor blades or sharp scraping tools.
• ✓No abrasive pads, steel wool, or scouring materials.

Kunststoff (uPVC) Frames - BASE, PRO, DESIGN

• ✓Clean with a soft cloth and mild pH-neutral soapy water.
• ✓REKORD recommends a Kunststoff-Pflege-Reiniger (specialist uPVC care cleaner) for profiles.
• ✕No solvents - solvents degrade uPVC permanently.
• ✓No ammonia-based cleaners.
• ✕No bleach - bleach discolours uPVC and the damage cannot be reversed.
• ✓No abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.

Holz (Timber) Frames - NATURAL

• ✓Inspect the timber finish regularly for cracking, peeling, or discolouration.
• ✓Clean with a damp (not wet) soft cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✕Do not saturate timber surfaces with water.
• ✓Do not use solvents, ammonia, or bleach on timber.

Holz-Alu Frames - ROYAL

• ✓Aluminium exterior: clean with a soft cloth and mild pH-neutral soapy water.
• ✓Timber interior: clean with a damp cloth and mild soapy water - do not saturate.

Hardware

• ✓Oil all moving parts once per year with acid-free, resin-free lubricant.
• ✓REKORD's mandatory services at year 2 and year 10 include hardware inspection and adjustment.
• ✕Between professional services, annual oiling is the homeowner's responsibility.

Drainage Channels

• ✓Clean exterior drainage slots once per year.
• ✓Blocked drainage causes water buildup inside the frame.
• ✕This is explicitly listed as a homeowner obligation in REKORD's warranty conditions.

Seals and Gaskets

• ✓Inspect seals regularly for wear or damage.
• ✕Weatherstripping and seals are excluded from REKORD's 20-year warranty.
• ✓Keep seals clean and free of dirt buildup.

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 REKORD Fenster 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 Rekord 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 Rekord 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 Rekord 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 range before you start - BASE, PRO, and DESIGN are Kunststoff-Alu. ROYAL is Holz-Alu. NATURAL is pure Holz. Frame care differs.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ No solvents near Kunststoff frames - uPVC discolours permanently and cannot be restored.
• ★ Clear drainage slots at every opportunity - it is a warranty obligation and takes seconds.
• ★ Register your Guarantee Pass and attend both service appointments (year 2 free, year 10 paid) to secure the full 20-year warranty.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban Vienna with traffic pollution and pollen.). Exterior frame cleaning and drainage: 1x per year minimum (REKORD warranty obligation.). Hardware oiling: 1x per year (Acid-free, resin-free lubricant. REKORD warranty obligation.). NATURAL timber finish inspection: 2x per year minimum (Address cracking or peeling promptly through your REKORD location.). Seal and gasket inspection: 1x per year (Or after heavy storms. Seals are excluded from the 20-year warranty.). Mandatory professional service: Year 2 (free) and Year 10 (paid) (Required for 20-year warranty. Without both: 10-year guarantee only.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year, quarterly in urban Vienna with pollution and pollen. Exterior frame cleaning and drainage clearing: once per year minimum - REKORD warranty obligation. Hardware oiling: once per year - REKORD warranty obligation. NATURAL timber: inspect finish twice yearly - address cracking or peeling through your REKORD location. Mandatory professional services: year 2 (free) and year 10 (paid) for full 20-year warranty. Register Guarantee Pass immediately after purchase.”

Justin Orloff