Home Cleaning Tips & Advice

How to clean window screens

You have probably seen just how dirty aluminum window screens can get, especially if you live near major roadways or where it tends to be windy. But fortunately, cleaning window screens isn't nearly as difficult as most people believe.

First, remove the window screens from the windows (there is no easy way to clean window screens while still attached to the house!) You will need to set the screens upright against a fence, tree or other object. Make a solution of one cup water to 1 gallon water, then use it to scrub the screens with a nylon bristle brush.

You will need to scrub in all directions to throughly clean the screens because of the little holes. So first scrub up and down, then switch to side to side. Using a garden hose, spray both sides of the screen to rinse. You may need to repeat the process if the window screens are exceptionally dirty or have never been cleaned before.

Allow to dry and then attach the window screens back to the window. You can return the screens to the windows while wet, but depending on how they are attached, you may end up with the crosshatch pattern dried on your windows too!