Window screens allow fresh air and clear views while protecting your home from insects, but they can also build up with dirt and grime. Cleaning window screens can be challenging, especially if they require removing the screen itself.
The specifics of cleaning a window screen may depend on the specific screen you own. Some screens need to be removed, but it’s also possible to clean a screen without removing it. Simple household tools like dish soap and water can clean a window screen, but ladders and scaffolding may be required if you can’t remove the screen and need to clean the outside.
While it’s possible to clean window screens yourself as part of regular housekeeping, this task can pose some safety concerns. Damage is also possible if you’re not familiar with the screen installation and cleaning materials. So, consider entrusting window screen cleaning to trained professionals with appropriate equipment and eco-friendly products.
Benefits of Clear Windows
It may be tempting to put off cleaning your window screens, but clear screens offer substantial benefits, especially if you plan to sell your home. Advantages of investing in cleaner windows include:
- Enhanced curb appeal: Having clean windows shows visitors and potential buyers that this house is well cared for.
- More natural light: Let your interiors shine in all their glory with unimpeded natural light. Increasing natural light can even have a positive impact on emotional subjective well-being.
- More resale value: A house that is well-maintained—which includes clean windows—may command a higher resale value.
- Uninterrupted views: By investing in cleaner windows, you, your guests, and your potential buyers can better enjoy the stunning views you paid for.
How to Clean Window Screens
Depending on the layout of your home and the design of your screens, it’s possible to clean window screens yourself with simple, household tools. Here’s a quick tutorial you can watch, or follow the instructions below. We’ve added some extra tips, too.
Pre-Clean Debris
Before removing your screen for a deep clean, tidy up dirt and debris in the nooks and crannies around your window. A brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner works well for this, but you can also use a duster or a dry cloth if you don’t have that.
Swiffer dusters, for example, have specially coated fibres that can trap and remove dust. Other materials recommended by experts include soft brushes (such as from a dust brush or broom) or a cloth mitt.
Cleaning Without Screen Removal
Dusting and sucking out the debris from around your window is a good weekly maintenance task, but if you want a deeper clean, it’s possible to do so without removing the entire screen.
Family Handyman recommends using a white vinegar spray and wiping the screen from both sides (indoors and outdoors) with a damp microfibre cloth. The advantage of not removing the screen is that you can save time on labour and avoid the risk of damaging your screen during removal and reinstallation.
However, if your windows are in a higher area of the house, you may need a ladder or scaffolding to reach the outside surface. This can pose a safety concern.
Removing the Screen
Window screens can vary significantly in design, so removing yours can be very easy or quite challenging. However, many screens are held by spring-loaded tabs that make removing and reinstalling possible without needing special tools. There are many tutorials online, so give YouTube a browse to see if anyone has made a tutorial on removing a screen that’s similar to yours.
If you remove the screen, you’ll need to place it back in, and this can be trickier than removal. If you can’t replace the screen, you risk insects entering, and there may even be security concerns. To avoid these risks, consider hiring an experienced professional.
Clean & Replace the Screen
Cleaning window screens is fairly straightforward once you’ve got the screen free. Gently clean the screens with dish soap and water, rinse them with a hose, and lay them outside in the sun to dry.
Some experts recommend using a small pressure washer to remove deeply embedded grime, but be careful: too much pressure may damage the mesh.
Once fully dried, reinstall your screens to their corresponding windows and enjoy a much clearer view!
Professional Window Cleaning
For better peace of mind, consider asking professionals to clean your window screens. This offers certain advantages:
- Safety: Let trained professionals handle things like heights, chemicals, and powered equipment.
- Avoid damage: Cleaning mistakes may damage your screens. But experienced professionals are familiar with different materials and their needs.
- Environmental friendliness: Professional teams like Calgary Trusted Cleaners use eco-friendly products that are less harmful to the environment.
- Avoid buying new equipment: By hiring professionals, you won’t need to invest in and find a storage space for hefty equipment such as ladders and pressure washers.
Invest in Better Views With Calgary Trusted Cleaners
When you work with Calgary Trusted Cleaners to clean your windows, here’s what you can expect:
- Pre-cleaning inspection: We’ll thoroughly assess your windows to determine their needs. This includes identifying mineral deposits, analyzing structural requirements, and choosing appropriate cleaning products and procedures.
- Professional window cleaning: Next, we’ll use professional-grade cleaning solutions for a streak-free clean. We’ll also use eco-friendly products that prioritize the health of the environment and of your family.
- Final detailing: We won’t consider the job done until it meets our high standards! We’ll reinspect your windows and wipe everything down, leaving you with polished, crystal-clear windows.
A clearer view is just a call away. To get started on cleaning your windows and screens, contact us for a quote today.
