Sokółka — 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 mild soapy water and a soft cloth or microfibre.
• ✓Vinegar solution (1:9 vinegar to water ratio) is an acceptable alternative for glass surfaces.
• ✕Do not use standard commercial glass sprays near timber frames - they may contain substances that damage lacquer coatings.
• ✓Do not use abrasive pads, scouring cloths, or steel wool on glass.
• ✕Do not use sharp tools or razor blades on glass surfaces.
• ✓Do not clean in direct sunlight - water evaporates too quickly and leaves residue.
• ✓Do not clean in freezing temperatures - detergent smears on the glass surface.

Timber Frames

• ✓Clean with a soft cloth and mild detergent in water. Dish soap at low concentration is acceptable.
• ✕Do not saturate timber frames with water - use a damp cloth, not a wet one.
• ✕Do not use standard glass cleaning sprays on or near timber frames.
• ✕Do not use solvents on lacquered timber surfaces.
• ✓Do not use non-neutral pH products on timber.
• ✓Apply care emulsion (specialist timber window care product) after cleaning.
• ✓Inspect the lacquer coating at least twice per year - after winter and after autumn.
• ✓For minor lacquer damage: sand lightly, clean away dust, and apply matching touch-up paint.

Timber-Aluminium Frames (Exterior Aluminium Cladding)

• ✓Clean aluminium exterior with a soft cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✓Do not use solvents or abrasive products on aluminium cladding.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
• ✓Remove trapped dirt from joints and channels.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all moving parts (hinges, locking points) with specialist grease.
• ✓Hardware carries a 5-year warranty (3 years in coastal zones within 30km of the sea).
• ✕Do not use general-purpose oils or WD-40 substitutes on precision hardware.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Lubricate rubber seals with a silicone-based product to maintain flexibility and prevent cracking.
• ✓For mold on seals: apply a vinegar-water solution (2:1 water to vinegar), leave for two hours, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
• ✕Do not use bleach or aggressive disinfectants on rubber seals - these degrade the seal material.
• ✓After mold removal, dry the seal area completely before closing the window.

Drainage Channels

• ✓Clear drainage channels at least twice per year.
• ✓Blocked drainage causes water to sit in the frame, accelerating wood damage.
• ✓Use a soft brush to clear debris from channels - do not use metal tools.

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 Sokółka 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 Sokolka 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 Sokolka 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 Sokolka 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

• ★ Never use a spray bottle near timber frames - a T-bar applicator gives you controlled application that keeps glass cleaner off the lacquered wood.
• ★ Use separate microfibre cloths for the timber interior and aluminium exterior on timber-alu models - never cross-contaminate.
• ★ Keep the timber frame cloth damp, not wet - saturating the wood risks the lacquer bond and the warranty.
• ★ Inspect the lacquer twice a year - after winter and after autumn. Minor damage caught early can be repaired with touch-up paint. Significant damage needs Sokółka service before the next warranty inspection.
• ★ The Puro Passive seal system is especially sensitive - never use aggressive products near those gaskets, and keep pressure washers away from the window entirely.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Twice per year minimum (Inside and out - after winter and after autumn per Sokółka guidance.). Urban and high-pollution areas: Quarterly. Lacquer coating inspection: Twice per year (Check for cracks, peeling, or discolouration. Repair minor damage promptly.). Hardware lubrication: Once per year minimum (Specialist grease only. No WD-40 substitutes.). Seal lubrication: Once per year (Silicone-based product only.). Drainage channel clearing: Twice per year minimum. Extended 7+3 warranty inspections: Years 3, 5, and 7 post-installation (Professional service inspections required to maintain the extended warranty.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year inside and out - after winter and after autumn. Urban and high-pollution environments: quarterly recommended. Lacquer inspection: twice per year - look for cracks, peeling, or discolouration and repair minor damage promptly. Hardware lubrication: once per year minimum with specialist grease. Drainage channels: clear twice per year minimum. Extended 7+3 warranty: professional inspections required at years 3, 5, and 7 post-installation.”

Justin Orloff