How Should I Clean My Window Screen?

Life can get pretty busy. You might be working, spending time with your significant other, or hanging out with your kids. Since time is both precious and short, it’s not surprising that some things either get forgotten about or simply don’t get done. Then you look at your screen door or window. Maybe you invested in a replacement window screen fairly recently, and somehow or another it’s gotten filthy.

The autumn and winter months are the ideal time for dirt, dust, and other debris to embed itself within your screen. But when springtime hits, you want to be able to throw open your door and enjoy the gorgeous weather. To do that, you’ll need to clean your window and door screens. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult, and we’re going to go over exactly what to do in just a few easy steps.

1. Remove the screen from the window or door frame.
   A good rule of thumb, if you’re planning to clean numerous screens, is to label each frame using either blue painter’s tape or masking tape. It will make the process easier, and you won’t run the risk of forgetting which screen matches which frame.
2. Next, create a mixture of a cup of ammonia, a tablespoon of dish detergent, and four cups of water.
   Mix it all together, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. In a pinch, if a spray bottle isn’t convenient, just use a bucket.
3. If you plan to do your cleaning inside, move the screen into the bathtub. If you’ll be working outside, use a trough that’s at least 4 feet wide. Run the screens under lukewarm water, which will help to shake off loose dirt and debris.
4. Grab your spray bottle or bucket filled with your cleaning mixture. You can either spray the screen, or wipe down the screen with the solution and a rag. Either way, make sure you thoroughly cover the entire screen with the solution.
5. Use a soft bristle scrub brush and gently remove any additional gunk or dirt. However, don’t use a stiff bristle brush or a metal brush, since you can accidentally damage the screen, tear it, or catch it on a bristle and pop it out of the frame.
6. Using warm to hot water, thoroughly rinse off the screen. This should remove the last of the residue. Shake the screen gently until it is free of water, then let it air dry in an area of your home with minimum humidity. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours for the screen to completely dry off.
7. Reattach the screen to the correct window or door frame.

We recommend cleaning your screens on a yearly basis. By adding this task to your spring cleaning, you can keep your screens looking as good as the day you bought them. Not only that, but if you clean them on a regular basis, you’ll never allow dirt a chance to significantly build up, or for mold or rust to begin forming on the screen.