While you might have “window cleaning” on your household chore checklist, we’re going to assume that screen cleaning isn’t included in the process. Like every other place in the home, it’s good to give certain areas a deeper clean a few times throughout the year, and luckily, cleaning window screens isn’t complex nor does it require outlandish materials. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to clean window screens in five simple steps for a complete window refresh you can have at least twice a year.
Key takeaways
Cleaning window screens is the perfect beginner DIY project and can be completed in five steps.
The best place and time to clean window screens is outside on a bright, sunny day.
It’s important to vacuum over screens first with a soft brush to prevent damage to your window screen and pick up excess debris.
It’s best to clean your window screens at least twice a year.
How do you clean window screens?
Cleaning window screens is an easy, straightforward process perfect for DIYers of all levels and skill sets. The best part is that this project uses cleaning products you likely already have on hand, and you can get the project done in a matter of hours since it only calls for the following five steps:
Removing the screens from the windows
Vacuuming off extra debris
Washing the screens
Rinsing and drying
Reattaching the screens to your windows
Materials you’ll need
Warm water
Gentle dish soap
Step 1: Remove screens from windows
Though you can clean window screens by leaving them in, it’s best to completely remove them since it allows you to get an even deeper clean. Start by removing the window screens from all the windows you plan on cleaning and lay them on a flat surface.
Step 2: Vacuum off debris
Take your vacuum cleaner and attach the soft bristle brush. Run over the entire surface of the window screen to pick up any cobwebs, dirt, dust, pollen, and other pollutants.
Step 3: Wash the screens
Set the vacuum cleaner aside and prepare the cleaning solution you’ll use to wash the screens. Mix together warm water and a few droplets of your gentle dish soap before dipping a microfiber cloth in the sudsy water and running it all over the dirty screen to get rid of grime and other buildup. Make sure you do this for both sides of the screen and apply light pressure when moving the rag in circular motions so you don’t damage the screen.
Step 4: Rinse & dry
Since you’re outside, rinsing the screens is easy with your garden hose. Turn the nozzle onto the gentle mist pressure setting and rinse the soapy water off both sides of the window screen before wiping it dry with another microfiber cloth. To let the screens dry fully, keep them flat outside for a couple of minutes to air dry before moving on.
Step 5: Re-install the screens
Once your screens are completely dry, re-install them into their windows.
Tips for cleaning window screens
When washing your screens, follow these cleaning tips for the best practice:
Always clean your screens gently so as not to damage the surface.
Use gentle products like a soft-bristle brush or microfiber cloth.
Clean your screens at least twice a year to reduce the dirt or allergens on the surface.
Never use a pressure washer on window screens.
When to hire a pro
Hiring professional window cleaners can be a wise investment if you want an even deeper cleaning of your windows or don’t have the time to clean yourself. It’s obviously more expensive to hire a professional than to clean your windows yourself as a DIY project, but there are a few reasons why it can be a smarter decision.
First, professional window installers and cleaners use commercial-grade products so your screens get a deeper, more thorough cleaning. Secondly, it can be incredibly time-consuming to clean all the window screens in your home, especially if your home has a lot of windows. Professional cleaners do the work for you, so you might find the outsourcing of work to be worth the expense on your end, so you’re free to carry on with other things.
Cleaning window screens: the bottom line
Cleaning your window screen materials is an easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours if you have the time. Since this home improvement task requires tools you likely already have at home, all you need to do is ensure you have the time to finish the job.
You should make it a point to clean your window screens at least twice a year – once in the spring as part of your spring cleaning and again in the fall – but this frequency may vary depending on the climate where you live. You’ll know it’s time to clean your screens once you notice a buildup of dust, pollen, dirt, or other pollutants on your screen or in your home. Believe it or not, not cleaning your window screens affects the air quality in your home since it limits the amount of fresh air that can filter in because of the pollutants standing in the way.
Frequently asked questions
Doctoring up your window screens without removing them is possible for fast and easy cleaning. Keeping your window screens in your windows means you won’t give them a thorough refresh, but you can use tools like lint rollers or the soft bristle attachment on your vacuum for a quick clean. The key to cleaning window screens without removing them is to be gentle with your method so you don’t poke through the screen and damage it.
Microfiber cloths are the best product to use when cleaning window screens because of their gentle properties. Their gentle fibers won’t leave behind lint or scratch the surface. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth on hand but you do have lint-free paper towels, those are a great alternative.
Though alcohol wipes have strong chemicals perfect for removing bacteria or allergens, they’re not well suited for window screens. The chemicals in alcohol wipes can damage the performance of your window screens by stripping them of their coating, which may cause clouding on your window.
Start cleaning retractable window screens by vacuuming excess dust along the tracks with the soft bristle brush attachment. Afterward, you can use a damp microfiber cloth and a gentle cleaner or detergent to clean the screens before wiping them down with another wet cloth.