Rooflite — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Rotate the window up to 165 degrees to bring the external pane inside for cleaning.
• ✓Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge.
• ✕No abrasive cleaning materials on the glass.
• ✕No metal scrapers, razor blades, or sharp tools.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning to remove all soap residue.

Pine Wood Frames

• ✓Clean with hot soapy water.
• ✓RoofLITE+ notes that frequent cleaning of pine frames may increase the need for re-lacquering.
• ✕Re-lacquer the window frame annually using a water-based lacquer, applied evenly.
• ✓No solvent-based products on pine frames.
• ✓Inspect the timber finish regularly - any cracking or peeling should be addressed promptly.

PVC Frames

• ✓Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✕No solvents on PVC - these degrade the surface and the damage is permanent.
• ✓No abrasive products.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Hardware and Hinges

• ✓Grease the centre pivot hinges annually to maintain smooth rotation.
• ✓On electric opener models: grease the drive chain once a year.
• ✓Use a light machine lubricant suitable for window hardware.
• ✕Do not use water or cleaning solution on the electric motor.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Wipe weather seals with a damp cloth every six months to remove tree debris, sap, dust, and dirt.
• ✓Do not use harsh chemicals on gaskets or seals.
• ✓Inspect seals annually for cracking or compression loss.

Drainage and Gutters

• ✓Clear the gutters around the roof window regularly.
• ✓Remove twigs, leaves, moss, and debris from the top gutter and drainage channels.
• ✕Blocked drainage channels lead to leaks at the window head. This is one of the most common maintenance failures on roof windows.

Blinds (where fitted)

• ✓Wipe with a damp cloth as needed.
• ✓No regular maintenance required for blinds.

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 Rooflite 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 Rooflite 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 Rooflite 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 Rooflite 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

• ★ Clear drainage channels before every clean - blocked drainage is the primary cause of roof window leaks and is entirely preventable.
• ★ Rotate to 165 degrees and lock in position before cleaning the glass. Never clean the external pane from outside on a ladder if the window can be rotated.
• ★ Solution runs faster on sloped glass - squeegee each section promptly before the soap dries, especially in warm weather.
• ★ Pine frames need annual re-lacquering with water-based lacquer - cleaning alone is not enough to maintain the protective finish and the warranty.
• ★ On electric opener models, keep all water and cleaning solution away from the motor housing. Dry the pivot area after cleaning before closing.
• ★ Never use solvent-based products on pine frames - water-based lacquer only for re-lacquering. Never use solvents on PVC frames - the damage is permanent.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Inside and out.). Drainage channels and gutters: Before every clean, or whenever debris is visible (In tree-lined locations this may mean monthly checks.). Weather seals: Wipe with a damp cloth every 6 months. Pine frames - re-lacquering: Once per year (Water-based lacquer applied evenly after cleaning.). Centre pivot hinges: Grease once per year. Electric opener chain: Grease once per year. Seal and gasket inspection: Once per year, or after heavy storms or hail events

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year inside and out. Drainage channels and gutters: clear before every clean; monthly checks in tree-lined locations. Weather seals: wipe with a damp cloth every six months. Pine frames: re-lacquer annually using water-based lacquer. Centre pivot hinges: grease once per year. Electric opener chain: grease once per year; keep motor housing dry. Seal inspection: once per year, or after heavy storms or hail events.”

Justin Orloff