Keeping a window clean is one thing, maintaining an often-overlooked screen is another. Just like the windows of your home, screens withstand harsh weather, dust, debris and outside pests. Regularly cleaning them not only improves the aesthetic of your home but ventilation and air quality.

Keep reading to learn how to maintain your window screens in just a few easy steps!

Dirty window screens don’t work at maximum efficiency. In other words, they can prevent airflow which affects the circulation coming into your home. A screen is similar to an air filter – trapping dirt and particles that cause allergies, sinus and asthmatic irritations. And because we’re located in Florida, the humidity can cause trapped dirt to spur mold growth.

Another benefit you’ll find with maintaining your windows screens is saving money. There’s no need to replace them as often because they’ll deteriorate at a much slower pace. And because you’re helping improve the circulation into your home, your utility bills will drop a bit.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of maintaining your windows is keeping pests outside where they belong. They’re always looking for entry around windows and doorways. Because there are often more windows than doors in your home, it’s important to keep your screens in great condition – they can block out anything from bugs and rodents to small reptiles.

From a weather perspective, well-maintained screens and properly aligned window frames work together to reduce the risk of window breakage during hurricanes and more severe storms. Also, window screens prevent rainwater from pooling around the windowsill – and the risk for mold growth.

So, are you ready to clean and maintain your window screens?

First, it’s important to identify what kind of screen you’re working with. Some will require different techniques and materials.

1. Fiberglass - These are perhaps the most popular type of window screen. They don’t rust or corrode and can be used for patio doors as well. They also come in a variety of colors, which is great if you’re working with a particular color scheme.

2. Aluminum - This type of screen is composed of a tough, metal mesh. They’re most often black, gray and used in homes specifically because it’s hardly noticeable. A perk to this screen is that it has less glare than most.

3. Specialty - Lastly, these screens are intentionally used for a specific purpose. Some examples would include solar, retractable and pet resistant screens.

Now that we’ve determined what kind of window screens you have, here are some cleaning tips to keep them in the best condition possible.

• First, you need to be cleaning them at least once a year. Early spring is the best time to do so – think of all those bugs you’ll avoid.
• The best time to clean your screens is when it’s sunny outside with a little wind. It’ll help them dry much faster.
• We recommend using a large tub or container to submerge the screen. Stick to cleaning one at a time to avoid any damage.
• Gently scrub both sides, using a soft or synthetic brush in both directions. This will help knock out any buildup that wedged itself in the grooves of your screen over time.
• Lastly, rinse your window screens with a garden hose, shake it gently to remove any excess water and lean it against something to fully air dry.

Though cleaning your screens will help them stay in prime condition, they still have the ability to become damaged over time.

Some blemishes you may notice include rips and holes from pets (or pests), dents in the material, sagging, brittleness, and warped frames due to poor fit. If you notice these other two things, you’ll want to look into replacing your screens soon:

• Fading – Always check the corners first and if you notice any fading, that’s a sign the material will break shortly.
• Shininess – This may sound odd, but shiny screens are just as bad. Shininess indicates that the window screen is outdated. More than likely, you’ll notice the corners are loose as well.

When it’s time to replace the windows and screens in your home, give our team at Renewal by Andersen a call.

Our streamlined process makes planning, ordering and installing a breeze. And if you’re in the first stages of replacement, we highly recommend downloading our FREE eBook below!