Technal — 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 glass surfaces with water at a maximum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a neutral detergent.
• ✓Use a soft, non-scratching cloth.
• ✓Rinse with clean cold water and dry with a separate clean cloth.
• ✕Do not use abrasive materials or products on the glass.
• ✓More frequent cleaning and rinsing with water helps prevent buildup and long-term damage.

Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean all frame surfaces every 3 to 4 months with clean water (max 25 degrees Celsius) and a gentle, neutral cleaning product free of abrasives.
• ✓Use a soft, non-scratching cloth.
• ✓Rinse with clean cold water after washing.
• ✓In coastal or urban areas, clean monthly due to more corrosive environmental conditions.
• ✓Aluminium frames do not need to be painted or varnished - the powder coat is the permanent finish.

Hardware

• ✓Apply lubricant to window and door mechanisms (hinges, locks, moving parts) once per year.
• ✓Use a small brush to spread lubricant evenly and remove excess with a clean, dry cloth.
• ✕The wheels in the leaves of sliding and folding doors are self-lubricating - do not apply additional lubricant to these components.
• ✓Check all supporting elements like hinges regularly for signs of damage.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Check seals annually for wear and tear.
• ✓Degraded seals affect insulation and can lead to leaks.
• ✓Maintain and check the sealing of joints and gaskets to prevent water infiltration.
• ✓Contact your Technal installer for seal replacement if wear is found.

Sliding System Rails and Drainage

• ✓Vacuum debris from rails of sliding and folding doors regularly.
• ✕Accumulated dust, dirt, and debris between rails compromises proper functioning, water removal, and ventilation.
• ✓Ensure drainage channels remain clear and unblocked.

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 Technal 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 Technal 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 Technal 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 Technal 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

• ★ Water temperature must stay below 25 degrees Celsius - Technal specifies this limit explicitly for all surfaces.
• ★ 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 Technal surface.
• ★ On SOLEAL sliding systems, vacuum the bottom rail at every cleaning session to prevent grit buildup.
• ★ Do not oil the self-lubricating wheels in Technal sliding doors - they are designed to operate without additional lubricant.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Every 3-4 months (Technal's own recommendation. Monthly in urban or coastal environments.). Coastal or salt air locations: Monthly (Salt deposits on aluminium frames need to come off before they cause surface damage.). Hardware lubrication: 1x per year (Hinges, locks, and moving parts. Not sliding door wheels - those are self-lubricating.). Seal inspection: 1x per year (Check for wear and tear. Degraded seals affect insulation and cause leaks.). Sliding rail clearing: Every cleaning session (Vacuum debris from rails to maintain proper drainage and ventilation.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: every 3 to 4 months as Technal recommends, monthly in urban or coastal environments. Water temperature is critical - stay below 25 degrees Celsius on every surface, every time. Sliding system rails: vacuum at every cleaning session to prevent grit buildup and drainage blockage. Hardware: annual lubrication for hinges and locks. Do not oil self-lubricating sliding door wheels. Seal inspection: once per year. Degraded seals compromise insulation and cause leaks.”

Justin Orloff