Dirty Window Screens? Here’s How to Clean Them
Only a few people get excited about cleaning window screens. It’s a task many of us put off until we can no longer avoid it, and that’s until you can’t see outside through your windows. Dirty screens obstruct your view, and they also affect the indoor air quality that’s filtered through your house.
There are many ways to clean screens that vary depending on the intensity of the dirt. However, it’s vital to deep clean all your window screens at least once a year, and there are a plethora of methods to go about this tedious task.
Lint Roller
If your screens aren’t very dirty, use a lint roller. You can pick up loose dust and dirt without going through the nuances of detaching the screen. For easier access to small crevices, use a smaller lint roller.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
In case the lint roller doesn’t pick up the dirt and dust from your screens, try using Magic Eraser. Wet the foam and start scrubbing the screen gently enough so you won’t damage or stretch it. Most specialists recommend the extra strength eraser because it can withstand prolonged scrubbing on rough surfaces. You can accomplish this task without detaching your window screen.
Vacuum Your Window Screens
The easiest way to eliminate grime and loose dirt is by using a vacuum. Use a soft bristle attachment to avoid stretching or damaging your screens. To keep things nice and clean, include this task in your monthly cleaning schedule. For a thorough clean, detach the screens and lay them on a cloth to give them a deeper clean with a vacuum.
Vinegar Bath and Soapy Water
If your screens have stubborn grime caked on them, it’s essential to bath them. You can do this task on a sunny day when you can leave the screens outside to dry.
- Detach the screens from your windows and place them outside. In case you have many screens, it is a good idea to label them using a marker and masking tape to make the re-installation easier once you are done cleaning them.
- In a 1/2 gallon of water, add 1/4 cup of all-purpose dish soap. Another alternative is to use a quarter cup of household vinegar in place of dish soap, depending on your preference.
- Set your screen upright and gently wash it with soapy water using a dishcloth or sponge.
- Before the screen is fully dried out, rinse off any residue of soap by hosing it down on the lowest pressure setting. If your hose lacks a light water spray option, rinse the screens in the shower.
- Set the screens out to dry for two hours. When they are dry, vacuum them with the soft bristle attachment to ensure any loose dirt is removed before you reinstall them.
Toothbrush
If the dirt is robust, clean the screen in a soapy bath and use a toothbrush with harder bristles to scrape off the grime. Avoid exerting too much pressure on the screens because you may end up bending them out of shape. Although it’s tedious, a toothbrush can effectively remove any dirt that’s stuck in those tiny crevices, nooks, and holes.
Pressure Washing
If your screens aren’t detachable, pressure washing is the best option. However, only use a pressure washer that has a low-intensity option. If it doesn’t, wash down the screens with a hose. A pressure washer with multiple nozzle settings is an excellent tool for cleaning grime.
Rusty Screens Solution
The weather can be unfriendly to outdoor metal screens, but here is a way you can clean them:
- Apply household vinegar over the rusted areas on the screen and let it sit for 2 hours. You can do this easily if you detach the screen. However, if you can’t, rub vinegar periodically over the area with a cloth over a few hours.
- Using a bristle brush with clean water, scrub over the rusty areas gently. This procedure needs patience, but it will eliminate most of the rust.
- In case the rust is persistent, use a mixture of baking soda and water to prepare a paste. Scrub this mixture into the rusty areas using a brush until it comes clean. When you’re done, rinse the screen thoroughly, then wipe it with a dry cloth.
Trying to clean a window screen is not an exciting job; nonetheless, you have to do it. If you do it regularly, you will not have to put in too much work the next time you clean them. So, remember to use a soft sponge or lint brush to dislodge grime, dirt, and other messes that have accumulated on your window screens.
And if the screens are too dirty, use the homemade cleaning solutions like dish soap and white vinegar to get your screen looking new and shiny.
How to Clean Window Screens
Everything from vacuuming to pressure washing will clean off dirty window screens. Nonetheless, this will drastically improve your curb appeal and you will have a clear view to the outside. Before you start cleaning, you’ll want to grab all the supplies and utilities that will get the job done.
