When you decide to do some deep cleaning in your house, you’re probably thinking about vacuuming under the couch, cleaning your interior windows or scrubbing down the guest bathroom. One deep-cleaning task that is often left undone is opening your windows and cleaning your window screens.
Not only do dirty window screens obstruct the view of your windows, but they can also impact your air quality flowing into your home. If you’re noticing a buildup of dust on your window screen, you’ll benefit from following our step-by-step guide to cleaning your window screens.
Step 1
The most efficient way to start your cleaning process is to remove all your window screens from their frames at once. Lay them all down on a tarp or cloth that you wouldn’t mind getting wet. It is best to do this outside or in a garage with lots of airflow.
Step 2
Let’s get rid of those spider webs and dust that can build up on your screens first. Using a hose, rinse off all the screens at once, being sure to remove all the dust and debris so that you can get a deeper clean. Don’t be tempted to power wash the screen as the pressure can damage the integrity of the screen, bend the mesh or even create holes in the screen.
Step 3
Getting down to the nitty gritty, fill a bucket with three parts warm water and one part ammonia cleaning solution. Dip a microfiber cloth or a sponge into the solution and begin to scrub the screens lightly. This solution will eliminate any leftover dust and other bacteria buildup. You may even notice a slight change in color as you clean.
Step 4
Give the screen another rinse with the hose after thoroughly scrubbing each screen to get rid of any excess solution. Wipe them down with a dry cloth or leave them out to dry on the tarp.
Step 5
Once dry, replace each screen on your window frames.
The Many Benefits of Clean Window Screens
The cleaner your screens, the more sunlight and better-quality air flow you will get into your home. Clean screens are more effective at filtering the air so that you can let a breeze in more often and keep out the dust and pollen. Studies show that getting fresh air regularly into your home can enhance your mood and your focus. Not to mention, dirty screens can make your home’s windows look dingy.
A Thompson Creek expert can help you determine if your screens just need a deep clean, or if they need a full replacement. Visit our blog to learn more about the signs that your window screens need replacement.