The short answer
Clean a gallarija gently. Brush off loose dust, wash the small panes with plenty of mild soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid pressure washers, strong chemicals and scrapers, which can damage old timber, paint and putty. Never lean out or climb onto the balcony frame; the outside of upper-floor balconies is a job for a specialist.
Why gallariji need a gentler approach
The traditional enclosed timber balcony, the gallarija, is one of the most recognisable features of Maltese streets. It is also one of the most delicate things to clean:
- Many small panes. A single balcony can have dozens of small glass panes, each held in by putty or beading.
- Old timber. The frames are often decades old. Water left in joints encourages rot, and harsh products strip paint.
- Moving parts. Sliding or hinged sashes and shutters can be stiff, and forcing them can crack panes.
- Position. Most gallariji project over the street from an upper floor, so the outside is hard and risky to reach.
What you need
- A soft brush or duster
- A bucket of warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid
- Soft microfibre cloths and a lint-free drying cloth
- A small soft brush (an old soft toothbrush works) for corners
- A second bucket of clean water for rinsing
Avoid ammonia-based glass sprays on painted timber, abrasive pads, scrapers and any kind of pressure washer.
Step by step: the inside
- Dust first. Brush loose dust and cobwebs from the frames, sills and corners. Doing this dry prevents muddy streaks later.
- Wash one section at a time. Use a damp, not dripping, cloth with soapy water on the glass, working into the corners of each small pane.
- Clean the frames. Wipe the timber with a barely damp cloth. Do not soak it.
- Rinse. Wipe the glass again with a cloth wrung out in clean water.
- Dry and polish. Dry each pane with a lint-free cloth. Dry the timber too, especially joints and the bottom rail where water collects.
- Check as you go. Note any loose putty, cracked panes, soft or flaking timber, or sashes that stick. Small repairs done early prevent bigger ones.
The outside
If you can safely reach the outside glass by opening the sashes from inside, without leaning out, clean it the same way. Do not lean out, sit on the frame or use a ladder from the street. The outside of an upper-floor balcony needs proper access equipment and is best left to a specialist.
After red rain or near the sea
Balconies on busy roads, along the seafront or after a Saharan dust episode collect gritty dust in every corner. See our guide to red rain and Saharan dust. Brush and rinse before you wipe, so you do not drag grit across the old glass. See our guide to red rain and Saharan dust for more.
Looking after the timber
Cleaning is a good moment to look at the condition of the wood. Signs it needs attention:
- Paint cracking, peeling or chalky to the touch
- Soft or dark patches, especially at the bottom rail
- Gaps opening at joints
- Putty cracking or falling away from panes
Regular repainting with a suitable exterior paint is what keeps a gallarija going for decades. For repairs or replacement, use a joiner experienced in traditional balconies.
When to call a specialist
- Balconies above the ground floor where the outside cannot be reached safely from inside
- Large or multiple balconies, for example on a townhouse or palazzo
- Commercial premises and boutique hotels that want a regular schedule
A specialist will quote each balcony individually, because size, number of panes and access vary so much. clear.mt arranges window and gallarija cleaning across Malta and Gozo, and commercial window cleaning for shops and hotels. See also how often to clean windows in Malta.
Thinking of buying a house with a gallarija? Our guide to buying an old townhouse or farmhouse covers what to look at before you commit, and how to clean persjani covers the shutters.