HOW TO CLEAN WINDOW SCREENS LIKE A PRO
One project you may put off as long as possible is cleaning your window screens. Let’s be honest, nobody gets excited about the prospect of cleaning screens. It’s a chore that we put off until it can no longer be avoided. These screens aren’t just unpleasant eyesores on your home, they also affect the air quality that’s filtered in and out of your house.
There are lots of ways to keep your screens looking great, and just to stay on the safe side, it’s important to clean all your window screens at least once a year. The good news is that there are some extremely easy ways to get the job done. Here we are going to talk about three different ways that you can clean your screens without putting in tons of extra time.
JUST A TAD DIRT: USE A LINT ROLLER
This usually means that you have been keeping up on the cleaning of your windows, or they are new because there’s not a lot of dirt or dust. Under these circumstances, the job can easily be done with a lint roller. Usually the smaller the lint roller the easier it is to access the small crevices on your screen. You can pick up loose dirt and dust without going through the trouble of detaching the screen by gently pushing your roller against the mesh and moving it up and down the screen.
MORE THAN A TAD DIRTY: USE A MR. CLEAN MAGIC ERASER
If a lint roller won’t quite get the job done, try a magic eraser. Not only do these screens usually have a lot of loose dirt and dust, but they also come with gunk that’s caked on and hardened and will require some more work to dislodge everything. Lightly wet your magic eraser and make sure to begin scrubbing the screen lightly enough that you do not stretch or damage it but at the same time you can clean off the mess that is stuck to your screen. This can be done easily while the screen remains in the window.
VERY DIRTY: USE A SOAPY WATER OR VINEGAR BATH
These screens are usually cleaned only once a year or even less than that. If you fall in that category then your screens qualify as being very dirty. By this time everything has hardened and is nearly impossible to come off. When your screens have stubborn, caked-on grime, it’s best to give them a bath. Follow these quick and easy steps and you will be done before you know it!
- Remove your Screens: If you have a lot of screens it may be helpful to label them with a marker and masking tape so that make re-installation easier.
- Mix Your Soap and Water: Combine ¼ cup of all-purpose soap or standard household vinegar with a ½ a gallon of water.
- Clean the Screen: While standing your screen upright, use a washcloth or a sponge and gently scrub the screen.
- Rinse Your Screen: Before putting your screen back, make sure to rinse the screen to clean off any residual soap or vinegar left on the screen.
- Vacuum and reinstall: After letting your screens dry for a few hours, you can then vacuum them with the soft bristle attachment to collect any loose dirt or dust left on the screen. After you have finished, reinstall your screens.
IN CONCLUSION
Cleaning your window screens isn’t the most fun job, but it’s one that has to be done. The more regularly you do it, the less work you’ll have to put in the next time. If cleaned often enough you can use a lint roller, but remember the longer it goes between cleaning the more likely you will have to use a magic eraser or a bath to dislodge dirt, grime, and other messes that have built up on the screens.
Here at Happy Valley Exteriors, we specialize in professional window cleaning. If cleaning those window screens seems just a little too overwhelming or you want to be sure the job is done well, contact us today for a quote!
