Saint-Gobain Glass

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

SGG BIOCLEAN Self-Cleaning Glass

• ✓BIOCLEAN should never be considered as glass that requires no maintenance - it reduces cleaning frequency but does not eliminate it.
• ✓During dry spells or in shaded areas, rinse with clean soft or demineralised water to assist the self-cleaning action.
• ✓For stubborn stains, use hot sudsy water with a clean, soft cloth.
• ✕Never attempt to clean a specific mark without applying water to the surface first.
• ✕The BIOCLEAN coating must not come into direct contact with silicone in any form - sprays, suction pads, gloves, sealants, adhesives, or lubricants.
• ✓Handle BIOCLEAN glass only with soft, clean, silicone-free gloves.

Standard Saint-Gobain Glass (Non-BIOCLEAN)

• ✓Clean with a soft, lint-free cloth or chamois leather and a mild glass cleaner.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning.
• ✓Dry with a clean, lint-free cloth to prevent water marks.

What to Avoid on All Saint-Gobain Glass

• ✕No abrasive cleaners or abrasive particles.
• ✓No scouring pads, steel wool, or sandpaper.
• ✓No razor blades, Stanley knives, or metal scrapers.
• ✓No chemical products including soda, bleach, washing powder, or white spirit.
• ✓No contact with sharp or abrasive objects including jewellery, buckles, and tape measures.
• ✓No commercial cleaning products intended for surfaces other than glass.

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 Saint-Gobain Glass installation.

1. 1

   Identify the coating before you start

   Before touching the glass, determine whether BIOCLEAN self-cleaning coating is present. Check the glass spacer bar at the edge of the sealed unit for markings. If BIOCLEAN is present, every tool and product must be silicone-free. If you are unsure, treat the glass as if it has BIOCLEAN - the silicone-free approach works safely on all Saint-Gobain glass.

2. 2

   Frame and edge detailing first

   Detail the frame edges and perimeter before the squeegee touches the glass. Use your 100% cotton towelling rag to clean where the glass meets the frame, removing accumulated dust and grime from the junction. This prevents dirty water from running onto clean glass during squeegeeing.

3. 3

   Agitate the glass

   Dip the T-bar applicator fully into the soap water. Apply across the entire glass surface with overlapping passes. The purpose of agitation is to dissolve and lift every deposit from the glass so the squeegee removes clean solution - not smeared dirt.

   On BIOCLEAN glass, never dry-scrub a mark. Wet the area first, allow it to soak, then agitate gently. The coating cannot tolerate abrasive force. Use more soap water and more time, not more pressure.

   Rinse the T-bar cover regularly throughout the job. Grit trapped in the microfibre scratches coated glass.

4. 4

   The three squeegee turns

   Side to side: horizontal passes across the glass. Start with the rubber blade on a dry edge. Wipe the rubber dry after every pass.

   Top to bottom: vertical passes down the glass. Same principle - dry start, wipe after each pass.

   The J tune: one continuous motion, wrist rotating at each end to reverse direction without lifting the rubber. The most efficient method on large panes but requires practised technique.

   Tilt the squeegee at a slight angle so soap water flows off one side of the channel only. Never clean in direct sunlight - solution that dries on BIOCLEAN coating leaves mineral deposits that interfere with the self-cleaning action.

5. 5

   Final edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, detail all edges with a dry cotton rag folded to a clean corner. Work the bottom edge first where water collects, then the sides. Rotate the rag to a clean section after every pass.

   On BIOCLEAN glass, a final rinse with soft or demineralised water after squeegeeing helps maintain the hydrophilic surface. Allow this rinse to sheet off naturally rather than wiping it dry.

Pro Tips

• ★ Identify the coating before you clean - BIOCLEAN requires silicone-free tools and products throughout.
• ★ On BIOCLEAN glass, never dry-scrub a mark. Wet the surface first, always.
• ★ Rinse the T-bar cover regularly - grit trapped in the microfibre scratches coated glass permanently.
• ★ Never allow silicone in any form to contact BIOCLEAN glass - sprays, suction pads, gloves, sealants, or lubricants.
• ★ Never clean in direct sunlight - dried solution on BIOCLEAN coating leaves mineral deposits that interfere with the self-cleaning action.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Standard glass (non-BIOCLEAN): 2x per year minimum (Spring and autumn.). BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass: Rinse during dry spells (The coating needs rain or water contact to function. Rinse with soft or demineralised water when rain does not reach the glass.). Urban, coastal, or high-pollution locations: 4x per year (All glass types need more frequent attention in these environments.). After nearby construction: Immediately (Cement dust, plaster, and paint bond to coated glass rapidly and become extremely difficult to remove.). Hardware and seals: Per window manufacturer's schedule (Saint-Gobain supplies glass only - follow the frame manufacturer's instructions.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Standard glass: 2x per year minimum, 4x per year in urban, coastal, or high-pollution locations. BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass: rinse with soft water during dry spells - the coating needs water contact to function. After construction: clean immediately - cement dust and plaster bond rapidly to coated glass. Hardware and seals: follow the window manufacturer's schedule - Saint-Gobain supplies glass only. BIOCLEAN silicone checks: inspect gasket-glass junctions at every cleaning for signs of silicone migration.”

Justin Orloff