Welcome to Spring Cleaning Week! To celebrate the season, and the tidying rituals that go along with it, we’ll be sharing cleaning hacks like this one all week long.
Like moths to a flame, debris always finds its way into window screens. Whether coated in dust, pollen, dirt, or airborne pollutants, filthy screens can tarnish an otherwise beautiful view, leaving you no choice but to remove, clean, and replace them. But if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of removal, you can clean window screens right where they are, making the process less of a headache.
• One soft-bristle brush, or a vacuum cleaner with a dust brush attachment (this task-specific cleaning tool is another reliable option)
• Two spray bottles — one containing warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap and another filled with clean water
Say Goodbye to Dust
The style of your window will determine how much of the screen you’re able to access for cleaning. If you have a double-hung window, for example, you may need to open the bottom sash first, then lower the top sash.
Another option is to head outside and clean the window screen from the exterior without any obstructions. Of course, this isn’t always possible, especially for those who live in multistory buildings. Thankfully, cleaning from the inside is just as effective, so long as you can reach the screen.
Take the soft-bristle brush or a vacuum cleaner with a dust brush attachment and gently run it along the screen to remove loose debris. Next, spray the screen with your homemade cleaning solution and wipe it down with a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth — this will help dislodge stubborn dust and dirt. Finally, spray the screen with clean water to wash away any soapy residue, and then use another clean microfiber cloth to dab the screen dry. Give the windowsill an additional pass to catch drips or fallen debris.
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Tip for Higher Windows
If you’re standing outside and can’t reach the second-floor window, here’s a handy tip: Take an extendable paint roller, and replace the roller head with a refillable lint roller. It should slide right on, making those hard-to-reach window screens much easier to clean.
Additional Benefits
In addition to maintaining a better view, there are various health and financial benefits to keeping window screens clean. Open windows allow dust and allergens to enter your home, but clean screens are better at trapping these particles before they meet your nostrils. If window screens are loaded with debris, they can easily be disturbed and release contaminants into the air.
Furthermore, acidic particles such as salt and pollen may get lodged in the screen, which can erode the material over time. This may shorten the screen’s lifespan and necessitate a costly replacement.
All of these issues can be avoided as long as you clean your window screens twice a year. We recommend cleaning once before spring to remove the salt and grime that accumulates during winter, and again before fall to clear away springtime dust and pollen.
