VEKRA (Window Holding) — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Wash glass with lukewarm water and mild soap - dish soap is suitable.
• ✓Apply cleaning solution in circular movements across the glass surface.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• ✓Remove water from the glass using a window squeegee, working top to bottom.
• ✕Never clean dry - dust on a dry surface scratches the glass when rubbed.
• ✓Never wash in freezing temperatures with hot water - the temperature difference can crack the glazing.
• ✓No abrasive cleaners, rough sponges, solvents, gasoline, or aggressive chemicals on glass.

Plastic (uPVC) Frames

• ✓Clean with a damp cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✓In summer, wipe plastic frames exposed to direct sun more frequently to prevent black spots and yellow staining.
• ✓Clear the drainage holes in the lower frame section regularly.
• ✕No solvents of any kind.
• ✓No petrol or gasoline.
• ✓No abrasive cleaners or rough sponges.
• ✓No aggressive chemicals.

Wood Frames

• ✓Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✕After each wash, treat wooden frames and sashes with wood balm - this is not optional.
• ✓Apply balm at temperatures between 5-25°C, not in direct sunlight.
• ✓Do not clean wooden frames with solvents, abrasives, or aggressive chemicals.
• ✓Professional repainting is required approximately every 10-15 years depending on sun exposure.
• ✕Do not attempt DIY painting of wooden VEKRA frames - VEKRA's documentation explicitly states that untrained individuals must not attempt any painting on wooden windows.

Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean with a soft cloth and mild soapy water.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
• ✓No abrasive tools or pads on aluminium surfaces.
• ✓Contact VEKRA directly for specific cleaning product recommendations for your aluminium finish.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all moving hardware parts with silicone oil.
• ✓Apply a few drops of silicone oil into the designated openings on the hardware.
• ✓Hardware lubrication should be done at least once per year.
• ✓Contact VEKRA's service line (800 777 666) or email info@vekra.cz for hardware adjustment or repair.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Clean seals once a year with a soft cloth.
• ✓After cleaning, treat seals with silicone oil or glycerin to keep them flexible and extend their lifespan.
• ✓Inspect seals during each cleaning for cracks, hardening, or gaps. Replace worn seals promptly.

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 VEKRA (Window Holding) 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 Vekra 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 Vekra 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 Vekra 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 frame material before starting - plastic, timber, wood/alu, or aluminium. The frame rules differ. The glass technique does not.
• ★ Never clean dry VEKRA glass - VEKRA's own documentation warns that dust on a dry surface acts like sandpaper. Always wet the glass fully first.
• ★ Timber frames need balm after every wash - this is not optional. Missing this step leaves the wood surface unprotected.
• ★ Do not attempt to repaint VEKRA timber frames yourself - VEKRA explicitly states DIY painting causes irreversible damage.
• ★ In summer, wipe plastic frames in direct sun more frequently - heat combined with UV accelerates yellowing and black spot formation.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (VEKRA recommends spring and autumn. Quarterly in urban and high-traffic environments.). Timber frames - balm treatment: 2x per year (After each cleaning. Apply at 5-25°C, not in direct sunlight.). Hardware lubrication (silicone oil): 1x per year minimum (Into designated hardware openings. Contact VEKRA for adjustment or repair.). Seal treatment (silicone oil or glycerin): 1x per year (After cleaning. Inspect seals at every clean for cracks or gaps.). Drain hole inspection and clearing: At every cleaning (Blocked drainage causes water pooling that damages seals and hardware.). Timber professional repaint: Every 10-15 years (Depends on sun exposure. South-facing windows degrade faster. Professional only - no DIY.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (spring and autumn). Quarterly in urban and high-traffic environments. Timber frames: balm treatment twice yearly after each clean. Apply at 5-25°C, not in direct sun. Hardware: silicone oil annually. Seals: silicone oil or glycerin annually. Drain holes: clear at every cleaning. Timber repainting: every 10-15 years by a professional only. Never attempt DIY painting on VEKRA timber windows.”

Justin Orloff