Does the Fremantle Doctor Make My Windows Dirtier?

Every Perth local knows and loves the Fremantle Doctor—that reliable sea breeze that rolls in on a hot summer afternoon to provide some much-needed relief. But as you sit back and enjoy the cool air, have you ever wondered what it's doing to your windows?

As professional window cleaners working across Perth's coastal suburbs, we get this question a lot. The answer is a definite **yes**, the Fremantle Doctor is a major contributor to dirty windows, but perhaps not for the reason you think.

It's Not Just Wind, It's a Salty Mist

The Fremantle Doctor isn't just wind; it's a breeze that has travelled over the Indian Ocean, picking up a fine mist of saltwater along the way. When this breeze hits your home, the water evaporates, leaving behind microscopic salt crystals on your glass.

This salt film is problematic for two reasons:

• It's Hygroscopic: Salt naturally attracts and holds onto moisture from the air, creating a slightly sticky surface.
• It's a Dirt Magnet: This sticky surface then acts like a magnet for all the dust, pollen, and pollution blowing around in the Perth air, quickly turning your clear windows into a hazy, grimy mess.

Why Regular Cleaning Doesn't Always Work

If you've ever tried to clean a salt-covered window with a standard spray-and-wipe method, you've probably just created a frustrating, streaky smear. That's because you're not properly dissolving and removing the salt crystals.

To effectively clean salt spray, you need to use a method that lifts the salt from the glass completely, which is why a professional approach using purified water is so effective.

The Professional Solution to a Local Problem

We combat the effects of the Fremantle Doctor by using a pure RO/DI water system. This ultra-filtered water is free from minerals and acts as a natural cleaning agent, dissolving and rinsing away salt crystals without leaving any residue behind.

The result is not just a clean window, but one that will actually stay cleaner for longer because there's no sticky soap film left to attract new dust and salt.