VEKA — 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 soft cloth.
• ✓A mild neutral cleaner can be used if needed.
• ✓Rinse with clean water after using any cleaning product.
• ✕No aggressive or solvent-based cleaning agents.

uPVC Frames - White Profiles

• ✓Clean with a clean, soft cloth and lukewarm water.
• ✓A neutral cleaner can be added if needed.
• ✓Rinse the frame with clean water after using any cleaner.
• ✓For stubborn dirt, use an intensive cleaner recommended for white unfoiled profiles.
• ✓VEKA recommends VEKAPRO XtraCare White for intensive cleaning of white profiles.
• ✓VEKAPRO SuperFinish provides long-term protection for white unfoiled profiles.

uPVC Frames - Foil-Laminated and VEKA SPECTRAL Surfaces

• ✓Clean with a clean, soft cloth and lukewarm water.
• ✓For regular cleaning, VEKA recommends VEKAPRO DailyClean (suitable for all window surfaces).
• ✓For stubborn dirt, use VEKAPRO XtraCare Colour - specifically developed for these surfaces.
• ✕Do NOT use the same intensive cleaner on foil-laminated profiles as on white profiles - different agents are required.
• ✓VEKA SPECTRAL surfaces are dust-repellent with an anti-fingerprint effect.

Seals

• ✓Clean with lukewarm soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✓Check seals for damage or deformation during cleaning.

Hardware and Drainage

• ✓Moving hardware parts should be treated at least once a year with an acid-free and resin-free grease or oil.
• ✓When the sash is open, clean the rebate between sash and frame with a vacuum cleaner.
• ✕Check drainage openings in the frame for continuity - ensure slots are not blocked.

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 VEKA 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 VEKA 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 VEKA 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 VEKA 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

• ★ Identify the surface type before you start - white, foil-laminated, or VEKA SPECTRAL. Each needs different care.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ Do not use the same intensive cleaner on foil-laminated profiles as on white profiles - different agents are required.
• ★ Remove sunscreen and mineral fertiliser dust immediately on contact - do not wait for the next scheduled cleaning.
• ★ On large VEKASLIDE or VEKAMOTION panels with triple glazing, use lighter squeegee pressure - heavy glass flexes differently.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban environments with pollution, pollen, and construction dust.). Foil-laminated and SPECTRAL surfaces: 2x per year minimum (More often near busy roads where soot and particulates settle on the surface.). Hardware: 1x per year (Acid-free, resin-free grease or oil on all moving parts.). Drainage channels: 1x per year (Or after heavy storms. Vacuum the rebate between sash and frame.). Sunscreen or fertiliser contamination: Immediately on contact (Do not wait for the next scheduled cleaning - permanent damage occurs.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum, quarterly in urban environments with pollution and construction dust. Foil-laminated and SPECTRAL surfaces: twice-yearly minimum, more often near busy roads. Hardware: annual lubrication with acid-free, resin-free grease or oil. Drainage channels: annual vacuum and clearing, or after heavy storms. Sunscreen or mineral fertiliser contamination: clean immediately on contact - permanent damage occurs if left.”

Justin Orloff