Cleaning Window Screens

There are several ways to go about cleaning your window screens. First and foremost, you can simply take them off the windows and scrub away. However, that method can take a lot of time, energy, and not to mention that you cannot always get your screens off your windows. In those instances, you will need to use a different method. Here is a great method for cleaning window screens without having to remove them from your windows.

Materials:

• Spray bottle
• Homemade cleaning detergent (75% water, 20% vinegar, 5% detergent)
• Newspaper, paper towels, or lint-free cloth
• Sturdy step ladder
• Standard 110-volt vacuum cleaner

Procedure:

1. Vacuum. Attach the brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner and begin vacuuming your screens from the inside of your house. Start at the top and work your way down. Make sure you vacuum the entire screen, window track, and surrounding areas completely. Be sure that you use a standard 110-volt vacuum cleaner, since the little 12-volt vacuum cleaners will not have enough power to do the job.
2. Spray. Using your homemade cleaning detergent and a spray bottle, spray some of the solution onto the screen. Start at the top and work your way down to the bottom to ensure you get everything. Don't over spray, which would lead to dripping and pooling at the bottom of the window.
3. Air dry. Leave the windows open and allow the screens to air dry for a few minutes. Repeat process with all the windows in your home.
4. Outside. Go outside and, starting at the first window, repeat step one. Make sure that you vacuum every part of the window so that you get everything. You may also need to use a step ladder to be able to reach every part of your window, just make sure that it is a safe and sturdy one.
5. Spray and scrub. Spray some of your homemade cleaning solution onto the cloth, paper towel, or newspaper that you are using and begin to gently scrub the window screen. Make sure that you are being gentle; if you press too hard you will tear the screen.
6. Air dry. Once again, leave your windows open and allow the window screens to dry completely.
7. Go inside. After the screens are dry, go back inside and repeat step five and six. This time though, instead of using the cleaner, simply use regular clean water.

Finally, after you have followed these steps, you simply allow your screens to dry. Congratulations! Your window screens are now clean, and you didn't even need to take them off to do it.