The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean a Door Screen Like a Pro

How to clean flyscreen doors – the importance

By taking the time to clean your flyscreens properly, you’ll not only preserve their functionality but also enhance the airflow and aesthetic appeal of your living spaces. 

Neglecting to maintain clean flyscreens may result in a few issues:

• The buildup of dirt and grime can darken the screens, leading to obstructing your view and detracting from your natural surroundings.
• Holes and tears can occur from the debris building weakening the mesh allowing easy access to bugs and pests.
• Dirty screens can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and bacteria, particularly when damp, posing health risks for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues.
• Blocked screens hinder airflow, reducing indoor air quality and creating a stuffy, uncomfortable environment.

How to Clean a Door Screen or Flyscreen

It’s time to get busy if you want your screens to look their best year after year. Most flyscreens are easy to remove, so there is no reason to delay, with our help cleaning your flyscreen doors is simple and will make your home feel fresh and clean again.

Here’s how to clean a door screen in six easy steps:

1. Gather your cleaning equipment

2. Utilise your garden hose

3. Remove dirt with a soft brush

Now it’s time to get up close and personal with your screen, using a soft brush, remove the dirt and grime. We recommend using a soft broom to help you get to those high-to-reach places or a soft brush from a dustpan set to avoid damaging the surface.

4. Time for some elbow grease

Now that you have completed the basic clean using the hose and soft brush, we need to take it up a notch. Mix the mild kitchen detergent with warm water in your bucket, using your microfiber cloth to prevent scratches, wipe the screens from top to bottom and side to side. Rinse the cloth regularly to keep it damp and clean, otherwise you risk rubbing the grit into the screen. 

5. Wipe down

After thoroughly wiping down your security screens with soapy water, you should notice an improvement in their appearance. It’s not time to relax, just yet, you need a second wipe-down. Grab a fresh microfiber cloth and fill your bucket with clean water. Dampen the cloth and wipe the screen again. This step is crucial as using a clean, water-soaked cloth helps eliminate any remaining dust and dirt from the surface.

6. Dry your screens

Now that you have wiped over your screens twice, using clean water in the second round, all the dust and debris should be removed. If not, you must repeat the process until your screens are completely clean, then it’s time to dry them. 

The last step requires another microfibre cloth, but you don’t need to get it wet this time. Use the cloth to wipe the steel or aluminium from end to end in an extended linear motion. It’s an easy step and should not be avoided. Drying your screens prevents streaks and ensures they stay in good condition for years to come.

That’s your simple six step process on how to clean a door screen and flyscreen doors, however, let’s review some ways we can maintain them to make the cleaning process easier for you.

Maintenance Tips

Now that you know how to clean flyscreen doors, maintaining them to ensure their longevity is important. Here are some useful tips for regular maintenance and for addressing common issues:

• Make it a habit to dust your flyscreens to prevent dirt and grime buildup. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. 
• Every few months, or whenever you notice dirt accumulating, gently clean the screens with a mild soap solution to prevent stubborn stains. 
• Periodically check your screens for wear or damage, such as tears or holes. Small damages can often be fixed with screen patches or repair adhesives, while larger ones may require professional repair or replacement. It’s a good idea to do this at the beginning of each season.
• Trim nearby bushes and trees to prevent debris from accumulating on the screens. 
• Avoid placing objects against the screens to prevent sagging or tearing over time.

Indicators That It Might Be Time To Replace Your Fly Screen

Despite your best cleaning efforts, your flyscreens may need replacing and this is normal after many years of keeping your home safe and bug-free. Here are some key things to look out for that indicate it might be time for some fresh flyscreens:

• Most obvious is the presence of tears or holes in the mesh. Even minor damage compromises the effectiveness of your flyscreens.
• Warped or bent frames will prevent the flyscreen from fitting properly leaving gaps for bugs to enter.
• Over time, exposure to harsh direct sunlight can cause the mesh to become brittle. The mesh loses its robustness and may start to crumble. 

If you are looking for a comprehensive home cleaning solution for a bug-free home, Simply Spotless has a professional team ready to assist. Request a free quote and let us take the hassle out of cleaning, your home deserves it!