How to use Vitrela, step by step

Before your first clean

Take two minutes to run through this checklist. It's the difference between a smooth first clean and a frustrating one. Keep the manual that comes in the box handy too — it shows the exact buttons and lights for your robot.

• Glass is smooth, flat and not cracked
• Pane is large enough for the robot
• Pads are clean, dry and clipped on firmly
• Tank filled with the recommended liquid
• Power cable reaches without being stretched
• Safety rope tied to a solid point indoors
• Nobody standing below an outside window

Your first clean in 6 simple steps

Here's the whole process from box to sparkling glass. It feels new the first time, but by the second window it becomes second nature.

1. 
   1

   Check the window

   Make sure the glass is smooth and flat (not frosted or textured) and big enough for the robot. Stand somewhere comfortable where you can place and lift the robot without leaning out.

2. 
   2

   Fit clean pads and fill the tank

   Clip on clean, dry microfibre pads. Fill the 35 ml tank with the liquid recommended in your manual — plain water works well for most light dirt.

3. 
   3

   Plug in and clip on the safety rope

   Connect the power cable so it reaches the window without being pulled tight. Tie the 4 m safety rope to a solid point indoors before you start. Do this every time, especially for outside glass.

4. 
   4

   Place the robot and switch it on

   Hold Vitrela flat on the glass and start it as your manual shows. Once 5600 Pa suction grips the glass, let go. The robot works out the edges itself using its edge sensors.

5. 
   5

   Relax while it cleans

   Vitrela sprays a fine ultrasonic mist and wipes with its rotating pads. Stay nearby — put the kettle on, but don't leave the house. If power drops, the backup battery keeps it holding on and an alarm lets you know.

6. 
   6

   Lift it off and rinse the pads

   When it finishes, hold the robot, switch it off and lift it away. Move to the next pane, or wash the pads and let them dry so they're ready for next time.

Each pane is its own job: when one is done, lift the robot off and set it up on the next. For big sliding doors, that's usually one placement per glass panel. For a window that opens, you can clean the inside first, then the outside.

Safety in one minute

Vitrela was made so you can stay off the ladder, and a few simple habits keep it that way. Tie the safety rope on every time. Keep people and pets clear of the area below an outside window. Stay nearby while it works. And if a window can only be reached by leaning out or climbing, leave that one — no clean window is worth a fall. Read the full Vitrela safety guide and our guide to cleaning outside windows safely.

Tips for streak-free glass

• Start with clean, dry pads — a dirty pad just moves grime around.
• Less is more with liquid. Don't overfill the tank.
• Clean in the morning, late afternoon or on a cloudy day so the glass doesn't dry too quickly.
• For very dirty glass, do a first pass, swap to fresh pads, then a second pass.
• Wipe the frame and corners with a cloth for a finished look.
• Wash pads after each session and let them air dry fully.

Australian conditions matter too. Coastal salt spray, summer dust and bushfire smoke can leave a stubborn film, so outside glass in those areas may need two passes. More tips are in how to clean windows without streaks.

Quick fixes

Most small hiccups have a simple cause. Here's a general guide — for the exact buttons and lights, follow the manual supplied with your robot.

Still stuck? Contact our Australian support team and we'll help you get it sorted.

What's in the box

Everything you need for your first clean comes in the box, including the safety rope and washable pads. See the full Vitrela specifications.

Common questions

More answers on our FAQ page and in does Vitrela work?