Europe · Glass Manufacturer
Saint-Gobain Glass — Window Cleaning Guide
🇫🇷 France · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
founded
1665
hq
Courbevoie (La Defense), France
primaryMaterials
N/A - Saint-Gobain is a glass manufacturer, not a window fabricator
glazingPartner
Saint-Gobain IS the glazing partner
marketTier
Premium
Brand at a Glance
- Founded: 1665
- HQ: Courbevoie (La Defense), France
- Market position: World's oldest glass manufacturer - major supplier of architectural and performance glass
- Frame materials: N/A - Saint-Gobain is a glass manufacturer, not a window fabricator. Their glass is used by window manufacturers worldwide.
- Glazing: Double and triple glazed units. Low-E coatings (PLANITHERM), solar control coatings (COOL-LITE), self-cleaning coating (BIOCLEAN), acoustic laminated glass (STADIP SILENCE). Ug values depend on configuration.
- Key ranges: SGG BIOCLEAN (self-cleaning), SGG PLANITHERM (Low-E), SGG COOL-LITE (solar control), SGG DIAMANT (extra-clear low-iron), SGG STADIP (laminated safety), SGG SECURIT (toughened safety)
- Where they sell: Worldwide - present in 76 countries
- Official care page: saint-gobain-glass.com/BIOCLEAN-II
- Technical resources: SGG BIOCLEAN maintenance guide, Calumen glass performance calculator (calumen.com)
Product Range
- SGG BIOCLEAN
- SGG PLANITHERM
- SGG COOL-LITE
- SGG DIAMANT
- SGG STADIP and SECURIT
Why This System
Their glass is everywhere but often unidentified - most homeowners do not know they have Saint-Gobain glass. The window brand on the frame gets the attention, but the glass inside has specific coatings that require specific care. SGG BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass has a photocatalytic and hydrophilic coating on the exterior surface that can be permanently destroyed by silicone contact, abrasive products, or incorrect cleaning technique. Low-E and solar control coatings (PLANITHERM, COOL-LITE) are microscopically thin metallic oxide layers - invisible but essential for thermal and solar performance, and vulnerable to abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals. A single building can contain BIOCLEAN on exterior surfaces, PLANITHERM inside the sealed unit, and COOL-LITE for solar control - all from Saint-Gobain, all with different care requirements. Saint-Gobain explicitly prohibits soda, bleach, washing powder, white spirit, razor blades, Stanley knives, and all abrasive materials on their glass products.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Source: SAINT-GOBAIN SGG BIOCLEAN END-USER GUIDELINES AND MAINTENANCE DOCUMENTATION
SGG BIOCLEAN Self-Cleaning Glass
- BIOCLEAN should never be considered as glass that requires no maintenance - it reduces cleaning frequency but does not eliminate it.
- During dry spells or in shaded areas, rinse with clean soft or demineralised water to assist the self-cleaning action.
- For stubborn stains, use hot sudsy water with a clean, soft cloth.
- Never attempt to clean a specific mark without applying water to the surface first.
- The BIOCLEAN coating must not come into direct contact with silicone in any form - sprays, suction pads, gloves, sealants, adhesives, or lubricants.
- Handle BIOCLEAN glass only with soft, clean, silicone-free gloves.
Standard Saint-Gobain Glass (Non-BIOCLEAN)
- Clean with a soft, lint-free cloth or chamois leather and a mild glass cleaner.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning.
- Dry with a clean, lint-free cloth to prevent water marks.
What to Avoid on All Saint-Gobain Glass
- No abrasive cleaners or abrasive particles.
- No scouring pads, steel wool, or sandpaper.
- No razor blades, Stanley knives, or metal scrapers.
- No chemical products including soda, bleach, washing powder, or white spirit.
- No contact with sharp or abrasive objects including jewellery, buckles, and tape measures.
- No commercial cleaning products intended for surfaces other than glass.
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
This is how I clean Saint-Gobain Glass windows. The tools and technique below come from 25 years of daily professional work on the glass. Every step has been tested on real installations and adapted specifically for Saint-Gobain Glass systems.
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 Saint-Gobain Glass 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 glass 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 Saint-Gobain glass 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 Saint-Gobain 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 glass from Saint-Gobain: use pH-neutral solution only on all coated surfaces. Any coating damage -- Low-E, self-cleaning, solar control -- is permanent and the unit must be replaced.
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 coating before you clean - BIOCLEAN requires silicone-free tools and products throughout.
- On BIOCLEAN glass, never dry-scrub a mark. Wet the surface first, always.
- Rinse the T-bar cover regularly - grit trapped in the microfibre scratches coated glass permanently.
- Never allow silicone in any form to contact BIOCLEAN glass - sprays, suction pads, gloves, sealants, or lubricants.
- Never clean in direct sunlight - dried solution on BIOCLEAN coating leaves mineral deposits that interfere with the self-cleaning action.
What NOT To Do
- Never use abrasive cleaners or products containing abrasive particles on any Saint-Gobain glass.
- Never use scouring pads, steel wool, sandpaper, or any abrasive material.
- Never use razor blades, Stanley knives, metal scrapers, or sharp objects on the glass.
- Never allow silicone in any form to contact BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass - sprays, suction pads, gloves, sealants, adhesives, or lubricants.
- Never dry-scrub a mark on BIOCLEAN glass without wetting the surface first.
- Never use soda, bleach, washing powder, or white spirit on any Saint-Gobain glass.
- Never use cleaning products intended for surfaces other than glass.
- Never clean in direct sunlight - solution dries on the coating and leaves mineral deposits.
- Never use a pressure washer - the force can damage coatings and sealed unit edge seals.
- Never allow jewellery, buckles, belt hardware, or tape measures to contact coated glass surfaces.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Standard glass (non-BIOCLEAN): 2x per year minimum (Spring and autumn.). BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass: Rinse during dry spells (The coating needs rain or water contact to function. Rinse with soft or demineralised water when rain does not reach the glass.). Urban, coastal, or high-pollution locations: 4x per year (All glass types need more frequent attention in these environments.). After nearby construction: Immediately (Cement dust, plaster, and paint bond to coated glass rapidly and become extremely difficult to remove.). Hardware and seals: Per window manufacturer's schedule (Saint-Gobain supplies glass only - follow the frame manufacturer's instructions.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“Standard glass: 2x per year minimum, 4x per year in urban, coastal, or high-pollution locations. BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass: rinse with soft water during dry spells - the coating needs water contact to function. After construction: clean immediately - cement dust and plaster bond rapidly to coated glass. Hardware and seals: follow the window manufacturer's schedule - Saint-Gobain supplies glass only. BIOCLEAN silicone checks: inspect gasket-glass junctions at every cleaning for signs of silicone migration.”
Justin Orloff
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