Vetrex

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

   Detail the Frame First

   Before touching the glass, wipe down the uPVC frame edges with a damp microfibre cloth and plain soapy water. This lifts the dust, pollen, and grime sitting on the frame surface before the squeegee gets anywhere near it.

   When the squeegee rubber makes contact with the frame edge during the glass cleaning pass, any dirt on that frame gets dragged straight across the clean glass as a streak. Clean the frame first - every time.

   Make sure your microfibre cloth is free of any residue from other cleaning tasks. A cloth used on tiles or kitchen surfaces may carry chemical traces that harm uPVC.

2. 2

   Agitate the Glass

   Dip your T-bar fully into the soapy water on both sides. Apply the solution across the whole glass surface in overlapping strokes, making sure the entire glass area is covered. The goal is to dissolve dirt and break it free from the glass surface so the squeegee can shave it away cleanly.

   If dirt is not fully dissolved and released, the squeegee drags the remaining grit across the glass - producing smears or, on repeated passes, micro-scratches. Take time on this step, especially on windows facing a busy road or in a high-pollution area.

   Never clean Vetrex windows in direct sunlight. The soapy water dries on the glass before you can squeegee it off, baking a residue onto the surface.

3. 3

   Clear the Frame Edge Before Squeegeeing

   After agitating the glass, run a dry corner of your cotton rag along the top edge and both side edges of the window where the glass meets the frame. This removes pooled soap water sitting on the frame lip.

   When the squeegee reaches those edges, it will not pick up dirty residue and drag it back across the glass. This step takes ten seconds and prevents most streaks on uPVC-framed windows.

4. 4

   The Three Squeegee Turns

   Side to side: start at the top with a dry rubber. Work across in a straight horizontal line, tilting the squeegee so water spills from one side only. Wipe the rubber dry after each line. Overlap slightly into the next line down. Repeat to the bottom.

   Top to bottom: the same principle working in vertical lines. Start in the top corner with a dry rubber, tilting to direct water downward. Wipe the rubber dry after each pass. Overlap into the next line. Repeat across to the far edge.

   The J tune: the professional continuous motion - from the top to the bottom of the window in one smooth, unbroken movement. Your thumb controls the rotation. When this motion is in your muscle memory, it is the fastest and most consistent turn for any Vetrex window size.

5. 5

   Edge Detailing

   After squeegeeing, there is always a thin line of water along the bottom edge and at the frame sides. Fold a dry cotton rag to a clean corner and detail these edges in one smooth pass.

   Work your finger into the join where the glass meets the frame seal. Remove any pooled soap water sitting in that groove. If left to dry, it leaves a residue line that shows up when the sun hits the glass.

   Rotate the rag to a clean section after each window. Replace the rag with a fresh one every few windows.

6. 6

   Hardware Lubrication and Seal Conditioning

   Twice per year - spring and autumn - oil all hinges, locking points, and sliding components using a specialist lubricant from your Vetrex authorized dealer. Work the handle through its full range of motion after lubricating to distribute the oil across all contact surfaces.

   Apply specialist seal conditioner to the gaskets after every cleaning session. Leave the window slightly open for 15 minutes after applying to allow the product to dry.

   Do not use general-purpose oils or WD-40 as a long-term lubricant. These attract dust and degrade the hardware mechanism over time.

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