ᐅ Initial glass and window cleaning after the construction phase

The topic of cleanliness just before moving in is causing me some concern in several areas. Now the delicate question is how to clean the window panes, after being exposed to construction dust, paint splatters, etc., for months, without damaging them.

This concerns both the interior and exterior. Most of our glass is laminated safety glass (VSG), and two panes are also toughened safety glass (ESG), which is particularly sensitive.

Is there a best practice for the initial cleaning of the glass, both inside and outside? Naturally, the parquet flooring is already laid inside, and the walls are fully painted. Making a mess is therefore out of the question.

I did it myself. Unfortunately, cleaning companies tend to cause more damage...

Use plenty of liquid for washing. I recommend Buzil Windowmaster.

Remove stubborn dirt with a glass scraper. Then wash again.

Place old towels inside to catch the liquid.

For heavy dirt or post-construction cleaning of windows, only a lot of liquid works. Otherwise, scratches and poor results are inevitable.

GU had hired a cleaning company. They used a lot of water with dish soap and Cerfeld cleaner.

As is often the case with sensitive topics in one’s own home, doing it yourself using the usual methods; eventually, you find the right approach. Sometimes other people cannot properly handle delicate matters – so it’s better to do it yourself.

rick2018 schrieb:

I did it myself. Unfortunately, cleaning companies tend to cause more damage...
Wash with plenty of liquid. I recommend Buzil Windowmaster.
Use a glass scraper to remove stubborn dirt. Then wash again.
Place old towels inside to catch the liquid.
For heavy dirt or final construction cleaning of the windows, only a lot of liquid works. Otherwise, scratches and poor results are inevitable.

I was hoping for a bit of a reply from you. My concern is also that cleaning companies often leave scratches...

Could you describe your process in more detail? For example, do you start with clear water and what kind of cloths (microfiber?)? Then Buzil Windowmaster – inside and outside? What other equipment can you recommend, like cloths, sponges, squeegees, etc.? Regarding the glass scraper, I’m a bit worried—at what stage do you use it and do you apply it partially or across the entire surface?

Thanks!

Moisten thoroughly with plenty of cleaning solution (Buzil Windowmaster + warm water) using a washer. Let it soak in. Then remove the solution with a good squeegee.
For example, check out products from Unger. Preferably with rubber edges to prevent scratches.
While squeegeeing, you will notice spots with stubborn dirt. Moisten those areas again (bit by bit) and clean them with a glass scraper (also from Unger). After scraping a few times, clean the scraper with a clean cloth to avoid any residues that might scratch. I was initially hesitant too, but it’s not a problem. You can feel unevenness or dirt with your fingers. Depending on that, you may need to work on small spots or larger areas.
Afterwards, wash and squeegee generously again. Also dry the corners, frames, etc.
I bought inexpensive microfiber cloths in bulk from a professional cleaning supplies shop online.
You can also remove lighter dirt with them. Always work with two cloths.
For small tasks and general glass cleaning, I recommend “Glasfee.” I have tried many glass cleaners (car care products), and Glasfee outperforms them all.
Even the Swiss window installers were impressed and have now switched to it 😉 It’s also available in 10-liter (2.6 gallon) containers. It has become a sort of secret weapon for us.
As always, it’s important to use clean cloths.
The initial cleaning requires effort, but the more thorough you are, the easier the regular maintenance cleaning will be.
For this, I use several products. Mostly Glasfee indoors. For individual exterior panes, washing and squeegeeing is enough. In spring, when I clean all windows, parts of the facade, and gates, I plan to use my reverse osmosis system.