How to Clean Window Screens

Window screens filter dust, pollen, and insects from the air entering your home — which means they get dirty fast. A clogged screen reduces airflow and looks unsightly. Here's how to clean them properly without damaging the mesh.

How Often Should You Clean Window Screens?

• Light dusting: monthly during open-window season
• Full wash: twice a year — spring (before opening windows) and fall (before storing)
• After pollen season: always wash screens to remove pollen buildup

What You'll Need

• Soft brush or lint roller (for dry cleaning)
• Garden hose or bathtub
• Dish soap
• Soft-bristle brush or sponge
• Microfiber cloth for drying

• Window Squeegee Cleaner with Extension Pole and Microfiber Scrubber — the microfiber scrubber gently cleans screen mesh without snagging; the squeegee removes excess water

Method 1: Dry Cleaning (Light Dust)

For lightly dusty screens that don't need a full wash:

1. Remove the screen from the window
2. Lay flat on a clean surface
3. Roll a lint roller over both sides of the mesh
4. Or use a soft brush to sweep dust off the mesh
5. Reinstall

Method 2: Hose Wash (Most Common)

1. Remove all screens from the windows
2. Lean them against a fence or wall outdoors
3. Rinse with a garden hose on a gentle setting — never use a pressure washer, it can tear the mesh
4. Mix dish soap in a bucket of warm water
5. Scrub both sides of each screen with a soft-bristle brush or sponge
6. Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains
7. Shake off excess water and lean upright to air dry completely before reinstalling

Method 3: Bathtub Wash (For Smaller Screens)

1. Fill the bathtub with a few inches of warm water and a squirt of dish soap
2. Submerge the screen and scrub gently with a soft brush
3. Drain and rinse with clean water
4. Stand upright to dry completely

Drying Is Critical

Never reinstall a wet screen. Moisture trapped between the screen and the window frame causes mold, rust on metal frames, and wood rot. Let screens dry completely in the sun or in a well-ventilated area before reinstalling.

Cleaning Tips

• Never use a pressure washer — it tears fiberglass mesh
• Never use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers — they damage the mesh coating
• Clean screens on a cloudy day — soap dries too fast in direct sun and leaves residue
• Label screens by window if they're different sizes so you reinstall them in the right windows

Inspecting While Cleaning

While the screen is clean and flat, inspect the mesh for holes, tears, and the frame for bends. Small holes can be patched with screen repair tape. Larger damage means it's time to replace the mesh.

• by.RHO Screen Repair Tape 2"x33ft (Black) — patch small holes and tears found during cleaning