Springtime has arrived. This is the best time of year to pull back the curtains, pop the windows open, and enjoy some fresh air in your home. Before you get too comfortable, we have a few tips on how to maximize the cross-breeze in your home with clean window screens.
Whether your screens have been in your windows year-round, or you’re just now bringing them up from the basement for their seasonal install, they’re probably not looking their best. Screens are meant to prevent bugs and debris from entering your home, so they’re likely looking a bit grimy. Dirty screens will inhibit the breeze, and even obstruct your view. But don’t worry! Cleaning window screens is one of the easier DIY tasks that won’t require much equipment or elbow grease.
First, you’ll want to get organized. Mapping out a game plan will keep you organized, and move the project faster.
- Figure out WHERE you’ll do the cleaning. You’ll want to find an open, flat area like your driveway or yard.
- Laying down a tarp or towels is a good idea so your clean screens have a safe place to lay out and dry once you’re done with them.
- Supplies you’ll need: handheld vacuum, microfiber towel and/or soft-bristled brush, sponge, bucket with a simple water + dish soap mixture, and garden hose.
Pro tip: if your window screens aren’t all the same size and shape, put a piece of tape or sticky note on each to remind yourself which window they belong to. Let’s get cleaning!
- Brush the easy stuff off… dust, leaves, etc. All of that will come off with a gentle brushing or wipe-down with a microfiber towel.
- Don’t have a brush, or just want to double-up the dry cleaning portion of this project? A handheld vacuum will do the trick – sucking out all that nasty debris that’s settled in over the past year.
- Time for a wash! Use gentle, circular motions to agitate the grime… dip your sponge in soapy water and give the screen a scrub-down.
- Rinse (and repeat if necessary)
- Lay your clean screens out on a clean towel or tarp to air dry.
Done! Well, once you re-install the screens that is.
Cleaning your screens at least once or twice a year is important if you want to maintain a good breeze and a good view. One more benefit… did you know? It’s not rain that makes your windows dirty… it’s rain blasting through a dirty screen that makes windows dirty! So, to maintain your screens between cleanings, simply vacuuming them once in a while should do the trick.
If you’re not interested in doing this yourself… just ask the pros! Your local Genie might as well clean the screens while they’re out there cleaning your windows this spring, so don’t forget to ask about adding a screen cleaning service.
For everything else, call one of our sister companies at Neighborly!
