Cleaning Window and Door Screens
Write a number on each window or door frame and
write the same number on its screen. Put any screws or
bolts in a bag and write the same number on it. This
makes it easy to put each clean screen back where it
belongs.
Take the screens out. Dust the mesh and frames with a
vacuum cleaner or brush.
Washing Screens Outdoors
Fill a large pail or washtub with hot soap or
detergent suds. Attach a hose to a faucet, and turn the
nozzle to give a fine spray of water.
Lean the screen against a wall, railing, porch, or
other handy support.
Scrub both sides of the screen mesh with a stiff
brush dipped into hot suds. Wash the frame all around
with a sponge dipped into sudsy water. This will wash off
dirt and "drip" from the metal screening.
"Tension screens" (the soft ones which have no
frames and are springy enough to roll up) can be opened
flat and washed the same way. Use a brush and suds.
Rinse all sides of the screen with a good hosing
of clean water. Let the screen drip a little, then wipe
it with a dry cloth, and stand it up to dry in a breeze.
Washing Screens Indoors
The best place is the basement floor near a drain.
If you have such a place, do the washing exactly like
outdoors. Wear rubbers or boots over your shoes.
OR use a bathtub, washtub, or kitchen sink to wash
screens. First line the tub or sink with old towels or
cloths so the screens won't scratch the finish. Also pile
newspapers on the floor to catch splashes or drips or
spread a big sheet of plastic.
Scrub each screen with sudsy water. Then rinse it
by squeezing clean water out of a sponge. Or pour clean
rinse water from a pan. A shampoo-type spray hose is also
good for the rinse off.
Special Tips:
Before you put screens back, wash out the window or
door grooves where the screens slide.
Wind a strip of cloth around a ruler or screwdriver
which will fit into the narrow slots. First dip this
into suds then into clean water. Finish up by wiping with
a dry cloth.
Wash window and door frames and sills before putting
in clean screens.
If you want to store the clean screens for the
winter, put them in a place that is clean and dry.
Cover them with paper sacks or clean cloths. Or use a big
sheet of plastic, like an old shower curtain or
tablecloth.