How to Properly Clean Your Window Screens
- Jul, 10, 2017
- admin
- Residential Window Cleaning
Now that summer is here, you’ve probably already opened your windows to let the warm breeze into your home. With your windows being shut all winter, your screens might need a spring cleaning. While this may seem like a lot of work, having clean screens increases the quality of air that enters your home and gives you a clear view of the outdoors. In this post, you’ll learn how to properly clean your window screens to make them look like new again.
Proper Window Cleaning Equipment
Before you begin cleaning your windows, it’s important to make sure you have the proper equipment. Here are a few supplies you’ll need for perfectly clean screens:
- Garden hose
- Sponge or microfiber cloth
- Vacuum with a soft brush attachment
- Warm water for cleaning
- All-purpose liquid cleaner or dish soap
- Towels for drying
- Bucket to hold soapy water
How to Clean Your Window Screens
Step 1: Remove the Screen
Now that you have the right tools, you’re ready to begin the screen cleaning process. First off, it’s important that you remove the screen from the window. Trying to clean the dirt out of a screen that’s still in a window can make a big mess, and you also risk ripping your screen if you apply too much pressure. If you’re removing the screens from all your windows at once, take time to label the screens with a marker on a piece of tape so you know exactly where each goes when you’re done.
Step 2: Sweep Your Screens
Lay your window screen on a flat surface with a towel underneath. Gently use your vacuum’s soft brush attachment to remove any loose debris like dust, spider webs or pollen. Flip the screen over and clean the other side. If your screens are sufficiently cleaned using this method, you’re ready to put each back in its corresponding window. If not, continue to step 3 below.
Step 3: Soapy Water: The Best Screen Cleaner
If your screens are in need of a deeper clean, soapy water should do the trick. In a bucket, mix ¼ cup of liquid all-purpose cleaner or dish soap in a ½ gallon of warm water. Rinse the screen off first with a garden hose, then set your screen in an upright position and gently wash both sides from top to bottom with a soapy sponge or microfiber cloth. If you’re still struggling to get the caked-on dirt off, use a small brush to gently knock the grime free.
Step 4: Rinse Screens
Now that the dirt is gone, you can use a low pressure setting on your garden hose to rinse the window screen before the soap dries. It’s important to use low pressure when rinsing your screen, because a high setting can increase the risk of loosening the screen from the spline. If the screen is loosened, it can sag. If you don’t have a hose, rinse your window screen off in your shower with the showerhead on a low setting.
Helpful tip: If you have small holes or tears in your screen, paint clean nail polish over the affected area to keep bugs from sneaking into your home.
Step 5: Dry and Reinstall
Use a towel to dry any excess water from your window screen. Once dry, reinstall your window screens and enjoy your uninhibited view of the outdoors. Regular maintenance can increase the life of your window screens and give you a great view of the outdoors without bugs, dust or dirt.
Choose Western Reserve Window Cleaning
If you’d rather leave your window screen cleaning to the professionals, contact Western Reserve Window Cleaning and we’ll make your windows look like new. Learn about Western Reserve Window Cleaning and our commitment to quality and reliability by contacting us online or calling to schedule your appointment today, at 330-346-0200.