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Do you wake up each morning to throw open your windows to let in the fresh air and natural light into your house? Are you aware that dirty window screens can mess the fresh air you enjoy? Even more importantly, do you know that dirty windows screen are more prone to damage than clean window screens? If your window screens are dear to you like they are to me, then you must consider cleaning them frequently to free them of dirt and avoid these problems.
So how exactly do I clean my window screens? Is there a super easy strategy that I can use to get off the dust, spider webs and whatever foreign material is on my screens? If these are the question running in your head, worry no more as you are in the right place. In this piece, you will learn a 6 steps strategy that you can use to clean your windows easily.
Before we get into the practical steps, I must first say that it is important to clean your window screens when the weather is favorable so that they will dry out in the sunshine. Also, if you are cleaning all the window screens installed in your house, ensure you have an extensive and safe area to wash and dry your screens.
How to clean your windows screens (a stepwise guide)
1. Make a cleaning solution
The cleaning agent should be gentle on your screens; hence you must make sure that it is highly diluted. To formulate the cleaning solution, wear your gloves, measure 1 part household ammonia with 3 parts water and mix them in a large bucket. There are several alternatives you can also use. You can, for example, mix one tablespoon of dish soap or white vinegar with a gallon of lukewarm water and use it as the cleaning agent.
2. Remove the screens from their position in the windows
To make the reinstallation process easy, you should label each screen’s metal frames with a marker. It is not advisable to clean the screens when they are installed in your windows since it will be hard to maneuver to all points of the screen. The only exception to this is when you have no other option but do a quick clean.
3. Lay an extensive drop cloth on the cleaning area and the screens on the cloth
This step is crucial as it makes sure that the screens retain their perfect shape and that they do not pick up more dust, dirt, and debris from the ground. To ensure that you clean each screen thoroughly and with ease, lay them one by one as you clean them.
4. Scrub the screens
This is the most crucial step in this procedure. First, you should assess the dirt level on your screen. If there is only a little dirt, then you are good to go with a lint brush or a soft cloth. If the screens have both dust and loose dirt, a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment should be used. Lastly, if your screens are covered with dirt and grime, an old toothbrush may come in handy.
To clean a screen, first wet it with a garden hose on a low-pressure setting, dip your cleaning brush on the cleaning material you prepared at the beginning and scrub both sides of the screen until all the dust, dirt, and grime is off. Don’t exert high stress on fragile or thin window screens. Remember to inspect your screens to be contented that they are cleaned thoroughly.
5. Rinse the window screens
Using the hose and again on low pressure, rinse the screens one by one and on both sides with clean water.
6. Dry the screens
Lift each screen at a time, tap it on the cloth to remove excess water, then wipe with a clean cloth and leave it upright to air dry. Do this for all the tiles and ensure that they do not overlap in their upright position to dry quickly.
Final thoughts
If you carefully follow these 6 easy steps, you will notice how better your valued home will look with clean window screens. As you wash the screens, you should be checking the ones that need replacement. You can easily source replacement window screens from your local supplier and switch them without hassle as long as they are the same exact size as your windows.
Keep in mind that the only way you will avoid frequent replacement is by maintaining the existing screens through practices such as frequently cleaning them.