Cleaning window screens is one of those chores we can put off because it’s easy to ignore, and let’s face it, screens can go a long time without being cleaned. But there does come a time when the dirt and grime can no longer go unnoticed, and we have to take them down and clean them. Dirt, dead bugs, tree sap and other tree debris can become lodged between the screen and the frame, or just in the screen weave itself. When it becomes difficult to see through the screen - even with the window open - you know you’ve waited too long, and the inevitable cleaning must be done.
To clean window screens, use a household cleaner like Fantastik or 409, or if you’d rather make your own cleaner, mix 1 part water and 1 part ammonia in a spray bottle. Also have a soft scrub brush, a toothbrush, a sponge, and a garden hose or bathtub and towels on hand (depending on where the cleaning is done).
The first thing to do is to take the screens off the windows. If the house or building is more than one level, take every safety precaution before climbing up a ladder or leaning out a window to remove screens. Plan to do all the screens at once to save time. Take them all outside or into the bathtub, and spray each of them liberally on both sides with your household cleaner. This isn’t a time to worry about using too much – you want to completely soak all the nooks and crannies, including the frame, so the chemicals can do the hard work for you. For outdoor cleaning, just lean them up against a tree or the side of the house to soak. If inside, leave them in the bathtub leaning against the wall. Then wait about 15 minutes.
Next, starting with the screen that was sprayed first, gently scrub the screen on both sides with the soft scrub brush or sponge. Do this very carefully because the screen can bend easily and lose its shape. The toothbrush will come in handy for smaller areas, narrow grooves, or the edge where the screen meets the frame. When scrubbing the frame, a little more force can be applied if necessary, but still be careful, as it can bend, too. Often, the frame can simply be wiped with a sponge. As you go, rinse your scrub brush, toothbrush and sponge frequently, so the dirt will be washed away and not spread around.
When the last screen has been scrubbed and wiped, if you are outdoors, rinse the screens one at a time with the garden hose. Make sure you rinse them thoroughly, removing all traces of the cleaner and the dirt. After rinsing them, lay each screen flat on a patio or driveway or even on the lawn to dry. A sunny, breezy day is best for this. If cleaning indoors, rinse the screens one at a time in the shower; use a hand-held shower nozzle, if one is available. After rinsing each screen, lay it flat on a towel or blanket. Sometimes screens must be turned over once during the drying process. Leave them where they are until they are completely dry.
When the screens have dried, carefully install them back into the proper windows. Now enjoy viewing of a much cleaner world!
