How to clean glass balustrades

Why glass balustrades show every mark

Glass balustrades look great when clean, and terrible when they are not. They are seen from both sides, often against the light, so every fingerprint, salt mark and drip shows. Frameless glass is the hardest of all, because there is no frame to break up the view.

In Malta and Gozo, three things build up on them:

• Salt, on seafront balconies in places like Sliema, St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay, Marsaskala, Marsalforn and Xlendi. The majjistral carries sea spray onto the glass, where it dries as a hazy film.
• Dust and red rain, from the long dry summer, building work nearby and Saharan dust episodes.
• Fingerprints, nose prints and drips, from hands, children, pets, plant watering and washing the balcony floor.

Safety first

Never lean over the top of a glass balustrade to reach the outside face, and never stand on chairs, planters or the base of the balustrade to get higher. Glass panels and their fixings are designed to stop people falling, not to support someone leaning over them.

Clean only what you can reach safely from the balcony or terrace side. For the outside face of glass above a drop, book a window cleaner.

What you need

• A bucket of clean water with a few drops of washing-up liquid.
• A strip washer or soft sponge.
• A rubber squeegee.
• Two or three microfibre cloths.
• A soft brush for the base channel and clamps.
• For low balustrades only, a short pole for the washer and squeegee.

Step by step

1. Sweep and rinse

Sweep the balcony floor first, so you are not splashing dirt back up. Then rinse the glass with plenty of clean water. Salt and dust are gritty, and wiping them off dry can scratch the glass. A watering can or a bucket and sponge works well.

2. Wash

Wash the glass with mildly soapy water, working from the top down. Pay attention to the bottom edge, where dirt collects, and to areas around handrails where hands rest.

3. Squeegee

Pull the water off with the squeegee from top to bottom, overlapping each stroke a little and wiping the blade after every stroke. Our guide on cleaning windows without streaks explains the technique.

4. Edges and buff

Finish the edges with a dry microfibre cloth, then check the glass from both sides and from an angle. A light buff with a dry part of the cloth removes small marks.

Clamps, channels and handrails

The metal parts need care too:

• Base channels: dirt, sand and salt collect in the channel the glass sits in. Brush it out and rinse it, and check that any drainage holes are clear.
• Clamps and spigots: wipe with a damp cloth, not a spray, so water does not sit around the fixings. Then dry them.
• Stainless steel handrails: wipe with mildly soapy water and dry. Salt left on stainless steel near the sea can cause brown marks, so regular rinsing helps.

If a clamp is loose, a panel moves, or a seal is cracked, do not try to fix it yourself. Contact the installer or a glazier.

Hard water spots

White spots that do not come off with soapy water are usually minerals from tap water, often from washing the balcony, watering plants or drips from an air conditioning unit above. A little white vinegar in water usually lifts light spots. Test a small area first, keep it off the metal fittings, and rinse well. Never use strong acids or scouring pads. See our guide on removing hard water stains from glass.

What not to use

• Abrasive pads, scrapers or steel wool.
• Strong acids, bleach or ammonia-based sprays.
• Pressure washers, which can force water into fixings and seals.
• Newspaper or kitchen roll, which leave fluff and smears.

How often

• Seafront balconies: every four to six weeks, more often in summer and after winter storms.
• Inland: every two to three months is usually enough.
• After red rain or building work nearby: an extra clean once the dust has settled.

Our guides on how often to clean windows in Malta and removing salt from sea-facing windows cover the seafront in more detail.

Apartment blocks and shared terraces

Glass balustrades on common terraces, stairwells and entrances in apartment blocks are usually arranged by the block administrator. Regular professional cleaning keeps them looking cared for and avoids residents leaning over glass to reach the outside. See commercial and apartment block window cleaning.

For balustrades and windows on upper floors, see how high windows are cleaned.

When to call a professional

Book a window cleaner when:

• the outside face is above a drop or on an upper floor;
• there is a lot of glass, such as a penthouse terrace or a block;
• salt or hard water has built up for months;
• you want it done regularly without thinking about it.

Professional cleaners use purified water, which dissolves salt and dries without spots, and the right equipment to reach the outside face safely. clear.mt arranges glass balustrade and window cleaning across Malta and Gozo. Send a few photos for a free quote.