The short answer
Rinse the glass with plenty of clean water first to dissolve the salt, then wash with mildly soapy water, squeegee dry and finish the edges with a microfibre cloth. Never wipe salty glass dry, because the crystals can scratch it. Rinse the frames, tracks and drainage holes too, and expect seafront glass to need cleaning every four to six weeks.
Why salt builds up on seafront windows
If you live on the seafront in Sliema, St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay, Marsaskala, Marsalforn or Xlendi, you know the pattern: windows look clear after a clean, then go dull and cloudy within weeks.
The cause is sea spray. Waves breaking on the rocks and the shore throw fine droplets into the air, and the wind carries them onto buildings. The majjistral, Malta’s prevailing north-west wind, does most of the work, but any onshore wind and every winter storm adds to it. When the droplets dry, they leave tiny salt crystals on the glass.
Salt on its own looks like a light haze. The bigger problem is that salt attracts moisture from the air and holds on to dust, so the film gets thicker and greyer the longer it is left.
Always rinse before you wipe
This is the most important rule for seafront glass. Salt crystals are gritty. Wiping them off dry, or with a barely damp cloth, drags them across the glass and can leave fine scratches that you will see every time the sun hits the window.
Water dissolves salt. So the first step is always to flood the glass with plenty of clean water and let it run down, taking the salt with it.
Step by step
1. Rinse the frame and glass
Start at the top and pour or gently spray clean water over the frame and glass, letting it run down. A watering can, a bucket and sponge, or a hose on a gentle setting all work. Do not use a pressure washer, which can force water past the seals.
Rinse the sill and the bottom of the frame last, where the salty water collects.
2. Wash
Use a bucket of clean water with a few drops of washing-up liquid and a sponge or strip washer. Wash the glass and the frame, paying attention to corners and the bottom edge.
3. Squeegee and dry
Pull the water off with a squeegee in overlapping strokes, wiping the blade after every stroke. Finish the edges with a dry microfibre cloth. Our guide on how to clean windows without streaks covers the technique in detail.
4. Check for hard water spots
Tap water can leave its own white mineral spots if it dries on the glass. If you see them, a little white vinegar in clean water usually lifts light spots. Test a small area first on tinted or coated glass, and do not use vinegar on timber frames.
Frames, tracks and seals
On the seafront, the frames and tracks need as much attention as the glass.
Aluminium frames
Wipe them with mildly soapy water and rinse. Salt left on aluminium for long periods can lead to white, powdery marks and pitting. Regular rinsing slows this down.
Sliding door and window tracks
Tracks collect a mix of salt, sand and dust that makes doors stiff and noisy.
- Vacuum or brush out loose grit first.
- Loosen packed dirt with an old toothbrush and a little soapy water.
- Wipe out the dirty water with a cloth, then dry the track.
- Check the drainage holes at the bottom of the track are clear, so rainwater can escape during winter storms instead of backing up into the room.
Use small amounts of water in tracks, a cloth or sponge rather than a hose, so water does not end up on the floor inside. Our guide on cleaning aluminium sliding door tracks goes step by step.
Rubber seals
Wipe seals with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid solvents and strong cleaners, which can make rubber brittle. If seals are cracked, shrunken or coming away, they need replacing by a window fitter.
Salt affects much more than glass. See protecting your home from sea salt for a routine covering frames, fittings, stone and solar panels.
Glass balustrades and balconies
Seafront apartments often have glass balustrades that collect salt on both sides and show every mark against the light. Rinse them the same way, and clean the stainless steel clamps and channels too, since salt left on fittings can stain them.
Never lean over a balustrade to reach the outside face. Our guide on how to clean glass balustrades covers them step by step. If you cannot reach it safely from the balcony side, leave it to a window cleaner.
How often to clean seafront windows
For most seafront homes, every four to six weeks keeps salt under control, and monthly for glass that faces the sea directly. Two other moments are worth an extra rinse:
- After winter storms, which can leave a heavy salt layer in a single day.
- After a long spell of onshore wind in summer.
Sheltered windows on the landward side of the building can usually go longer. Our guide on how often to clean windows in Malta covers the full picture.
If you run a holiday let on the seafront, see our short-let turnover checklist for what to check between guests.
When to call a professional
Seafront homes often have the hardest glass to reach: upper-floor windows, glass balustrades above a drop, and windows that can only be cleaned from outside. It makes sense to book a window cleaner when:
- the glass is on upper floors or only reachable from outside;
- salt has built up for months and turned into a thick haze;
- you would like a regular schedule so it never builds up in the first place.
Professional cleaners use purified water, which dissolves salt and dries without leaving spots. clear.mt arranges window cleaning in Sliema and along the coast across Malta and Gozo, with regular schedules for seafront homes. Send a few photos for a free quote.