Should I remove the screen first?
With great power comes great responsibility. Consider your window screen’s age, durability, and condition prior to cleaning. If the screens are holding up nicely with minimal cleanup required, you may be able to get away with keeping the screens on your windows. Generally speaking, it’s best to remove your screens for adequate cleaning. Don’t forget which screen goes where!
Suck it up!
Cobwebs, dirt, pollen, and other residue can turn your window screen into a blocky, blotchy mess. Dirty screens can obstruct outside views and reduce air quality. Before you start washing, use a portable vacuum or lint roller to clean your canvas.
Up, Close, and Personal
Once the screen is clear of debris, it’s time to scrub away. Deep cleaning is recommended once a year. Grab your favorite cleaning solution (or make your own with dish soap or cleanser of choice) and carefully use a toothbrush to cover finer points, or use a scrubbing sponge to cover a larger area faster. Either way, ensure you’re not putting too much pressure on the screen itself. Older screens may be rotted or weakened from years of environmental exposure.
Rise Away
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your screens, give them several rinse cycles. Use a garden hose / sprayer to loosen any stubborn grit, and drench the screens. Careful though - don’t spray too hard lest you risk loosening screens from their frames.
Finishing up
Give your window screens ample air time to dry. A few hours should do the trick. You can use a towel to dry the screen, but ensure the material doesn’t leave lint or cloth behind. Once the screens are dry, you can reinstall them to their appropriate windows. While cleaning screens may not seem like rocket science, it’s surprisingly easy to make a mistake and leave your windows with saggy or broken screens. Before reinstalling your screens, do a stress test around the frame edges to ensure there are no weak points or brittle wire. Should there be issues, you should replace your frames.
Are you looking to minimize screen time and find help cleaning your windows? Give Platinum Window Cleaning a call today at 615-469-7769 for a free quote.
