How to Clean Large Porch Screens

Screened living areas exist between the indoor and the outdoor living spaces. In the screened-in living area, you hold late-night talks, host family gatherings, and perform other social activities as a family.

However, these areas are prone to dust, grime, and pollen from the outer environment. This article will walk you through how to clean large porch screens in your home.

Let’s face it;

You enjoy the calm air and listen to fantastic bird sounds in the screened area. But what many people don’t understand is that porch screens act as filters. They trap all the dust and grime from outside to keep you safe.

For that reason, you need to regularly clean your porch screens to keep the area neat and clear for enjoyment.

Luckily, this writing will share all the essential tips, including how to clean fixed screens. And without further ado, let’s dive in and learn.

How to Clean Large Porch Screens

Cleaning the porch screens is a simple do-it-yourself task you will enjoy doing during the weekend or off days.

However, you need to have all the necessary items to keep the process smooth. So, here are the items you need before proceeding with cleaning your screens;

• Vacuum with an upholstery brush
• Step stool
• Garden hose
• Soft-bristled brush
• A bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• A pair of gloves
• Dust mask
• Protective glasses
• Microfiber cloth

Step 1: Clear the Area

Before taking any step on cleaning the screens, first, clear the area to avoid messing up the patio furniture.

Move the furniture to the center of the room. Secondly, find other portable items and place them at least 5 feet from the porch screen.

On the other hand, if you have plants around the porch screens, you don’t have to mess them with dust and dirty water. More so, white vinegar and other disinfectants can damage your beautiful plants.

So, cover the plants with a plastic bag or waterproof covers before starting the exercise.

Step 2: Vacuum the Screen

Wetting the screen with most of the dust can make the process harder. So, first, vacuum the screen using your vacuum cleaner.

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Ideally, start from the outside, where most dust and grime are usually stuck. Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush will ease the job by loosening the debris.

However, some marks are very stubborn, and they may not loosen by mere vacuuming. But worry not; mild soap and hot water will later dislodge them.

While vacuuming from the outside, use a step stool or a ladder to reach higher areas. I recommend starting at the top and moving downwards.

Later, clean the inner part and focus on the edges because they tend to be homes for bugs.

Also read: Which Karcher is best for cleaning patio?

Step 3: Dust the Surrounding

Cleaning the screen alone may not be wise because the surrounding will remain with the dust. You may be surprised to find the area filled with dust a few days after cleaning.

Dust the ceiling and the fans to do away with the grime before scrubbing the screen.

If you are allergic to dust, use a dust mask and protective glasses before vacuuming or dusting.

Moreover, you can use a pair of gloves to protect your hands from grime.

Once you have dusted the areas, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe out the mess. You can soak it in water to avoid spreading the mess around as you wipe.

Step 4: Wet the Screen With a Garden Hose

One of the benefits of hose pipe water is that it will dislodge most grime before washing it with soap. This eases the work.

So, rinse the debris from each panel, focusing on the edges. However, don’t spray water with much pressure. You may use the hose with an adjustable nozzle at the end to minimize the water pressure.

In contrast, you can stand a distance from the screen when spraying the water to reduce the pressure.

In another case, you can clean the screen with a wet rug if the area has a wooden floor or other factors that may hinder you from using a garden hose.

Also read: How to clean sliding porch doors

Step 5: Scrub With a Brush

Take a bucket of warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing soap. Warm water and soap work as the best porch screen cleaner by loosening the stubborn debris from the screen.

Stir the water until it turns foamy, and dip the soft-bristled brush inside. Then, gently scrub the screens starting from the top, moving downwards.

For areas with stubborn debris, scrub in circular motions until they dislodge.

Also read: Which outdoor vacuum is good for patios?

Step 6: Treat the Mold

In some cases, you may have mold on the screens. To make the area safe, treat it by mixing white vinegar and warm water at a ratio of 1:1. Then, pour the mixture into the spray bottle and spray around the affected areas.

Afterward, scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush until it turns clear. Else, you can opt for chlorine bleach but be careful because it can irritate your hands.

Upon wearing your gloves, mix water and chlorine bleach in a ratio of 6:1 and spray it on the affected areas.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry the Screens

Use the garden hose to rinse the residues from the screen and use a microfiber towel to dry the water droplets.

On the other hand, check on the excess water that may soak into the wooden frames. After that, mop the floor and arrange your rust free patio furniture.

Pat yourself on your back; you have learned how to clean dirty porch screens.

Also read: Outdoor air conditioner for patio review

FAQs About Cleaning Dirty Porch Screens

How to clean large porch screens is simple if you master the correct procedure and ingredients to use.