Vetrex — 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 a mild pH-neutral window cleaning solution or a small amount of dish soap dissolved in lukewarm water.
• ✓Use a soft cloth or sponge only. Rinse the glass thoroughly after cleaning and dry completely.
• ✕Do not use solvents, acetone, abrasive cleaners, caustic substances, or steam cleaners on the glass surface.
• ✓Do not use rough scrubbers or hard brushes.
• ✓For stubborn stains such as oil or soot, use specialist cleaning products available through authorized Vetrex distributors.

uPVC Frames

• ✓Clean with a soft cloth and a neutral pH preparation - mild soapy water is sufficient for regular cleaning.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and dry the frame completely.
• ✕Do not use solvents of any kind. Solvents permanently degrade uPVC and the damage cannot be reversed.
• ✕Do not use ammonia-based products. Most commercial glass sprays contain ammonia and must not be used near uPVC frames.
• ✕Do not use bleach. Bleach discolours uPVC and the change is irreversible.
• ✓Do not use acidic or alkaline cleaners.
• ✓Do not use abrasive scrubbers, rough cloths, or hard brushes on frame surfaces.
• ✕Do not use steam cleaners on uPVC frames.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all locking points, hinges, and moving mechanisms twice per year - once in spring and once in autumn.
• ✓Use specialist oil and grease as recommended by the manufacturer, available through authorized Vetrex dealers.
• ✓Apply lubricant to all contact surfaces of the locking mechanism, hinges, and any sliding components.
• ✕Ensure the sash sits correctly in the frame before operating the handle. Never force the handle when the sash is not properly aligned.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Apply a specialist seal conditioning product after each cleaning session.
• ✓Use a soft cloth to distribute a small amount of conditioner across the gasket surface.
• ✓After applying seal conditioner, leave the window slightly open for approximately 15 minutes to allow the product to dry.
• ✓Do not use solvents, bleach, or caustic products near gaskets or seals.

Drainage Channels

• ✓Check drainage slots at the base of the frame are clear of debris after cleaning and after heavy rain or storms.
• ✓Blocked drainage causes water to pool in the frame channel and can lead to seal deterioration over time.

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 Vetrex 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 Vetrex 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 Vetrex 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 Vetrex 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

• ★ The most damaging products on Vetrex uPVC are often already under the kitchen sink - ammonia-based glass sprays and bleach are both permanently destructive. Use only pH-neutral mild soapy water on the frames.
• ★ The Master Therm warm-edge spacer is visible as a dark-coloured bar running around the glass perimeter - keep the squeegee away from direct pressure on this area.
• ★ Apply seal conditioner after every cleaning session - this is a Vetrex-specified step that most DIY cleaners skip, and skipping it accelerates gasket degradation.
• ★ Never force a Vetrex handle when the sash is not properly seated - this damages the multi-point locking mechanism and is not covered by warranty.
• ★ Steam cleaners are explicitly prohibited on Vetrex windows - they force moisture past the uPVC seals and can compromise the warm-edge spacer system.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Twice per year minimum (Inside and out.). Urban or high-traffic locations: Quarterly (Pollution, construction dust, or heavy pollen areas.). Hardware lubrication: Twice per year (Spring and autumn with specialist oil from authorized dealer.). Seal conditioning: After every cleaning session. Drainage channel check: After heavy rain or storms, and at each cleaning session. Gasket inspection: Once per year (Check for compression loss, tears, or discolouration.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year inside and out. Urban or high-traffic locations: quarterly recommended. Hardware lubrication: twice per year - spring and autumn with specialist oil. Seal conditioning: after every cleaning session. Drainage channel check: after heavy rain or storms, and at each cleaning session. Gasket inspection: once per year for signs of compression loss, tears, or discolouration.”

Justin Orloff