You can enjoy the scenery with a screen porch without dealing with pesky insects, drizzling rain, or crunching leaves. Porch screens are a barrier to prevent insects, dust, and lawn rubbish from getting in, but with time, they can collect a lot of buildup. Screens must be kept clean to get the most fun and comfort out of your covered porch and avoid caked-on filth or mold, which can be challenging to remove. The first step to learning how to clean screened porch is to use your vacuum, but if the screens are very grimy, you might also need to use the water hose with some soapy water. Plan to thoroughly clean your porch screens when necessary, and while you’re at it, you might as well clean the remainder of your outside areas.
How to Properly Clean Your Porch Screens
Every time you clean your porch screens, you may not even need to go through each step in this article based on how dirty they are. Cleaning up dirt, pollen, and other tiny particles with a vacuum should be sufficient, but cleaning dust, mold, and other filth off porch screens are best done with soapy water and a brush.
Tools and Supplies Needed:
- Plastic tarpaulin
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment and crevice tool
- Step stool or stepladder
- Garden hose
- Soft-bristled brush
- Bucket of warm water
- Mild dish soap
- Vinegar
- Microfiber towel
- Clean rag
Step 1. Clear the Porch of Any Furniture
Move furniture from the patio far from the screens and place it in the middle of the porch. To keep them off your cleaning route, move moveable objects which are outside around the porch at about 5 feet away. Before cleaning the screens using the hose, cover the plants encircling the porch area using a thin plastic tarp or plastic sheet to prevent water that is somewhat soapy or muddy from getting on the foliage. After that, take off the tarp.
Step 2. Clean Up the Porch
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Before cleaning the screens, dust the porch’s ceiling, ceiling fans, and other surfaces. Doing this can keep the overall area cleaner and the screens from becoming dirty once you clean them. To prevent breathing in allergens while cleaning the screens, if you have allergies or are sensitive to pollen, ask someone who doesn’t have allergies to do it for you or wear a dust mask.
Step 3. Vacuum Your Screens
On a dry day, if you have access to the area directly surrounding the porch, vacuum the exterior of the porch screens. Start at the top and work your way down while vacuuming using an upholstery brush tool to remove small particles. Cleaning is more thoroughly accomplished by starting at the top since loose debris falls. If you can’t reach the upper spots, work while standing on the step stool or stepladder. If you can’t securely and readily access the area outdoors, vacuum the screen from inside the porch.
Step 4. Clean the Edges
Replace the brush attachment with a crevice tool and vacuum the porch’s interior screens’ corners and edges. Once more, begin vacuuming along the top margins of the windows and work your way down the sides, finishing with the bottom edges.
Step 5. Spray the Screen with Hose
Spraying water outward while within the porch, wash the screens. Begin at the top of each screen panel and work your way across and down. Use a rag soaked in a pail of soapy water to wet and wash the screens if you cannot get a hose inside the porch area.
Step 6. Brush the Screen
Warm water in a bucket is applied to a brush with soft bristles. Work your way down from the highest points of each screen while within the porch. If your screens are very dirty, add a little mild dish detergent to the water before cleaning.
Step 7. Treat the Molds on Screen
Check the screens for mold growth. Cover any plants beyond the screen before removing the mold because the solution may harm them. Make a solution to eliminate the mold by combining one part white vinegar and one part water. With a microfiber cloth, rub it into the moldy spot and wait a few minutes. Use your brush to scrub the mold away.
Step 8. Rinse with Water
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Use the garden hose to rinse the screens thoroughly, making your way down from the top and from the inside out. Reclean those locations after looking for any leftover debris on the screens. This is also a great time to inspect the screens for damage and decide whether to replace or repair them. Dry your screens using a microfiber towel to get rid of extra moisture and stop staining. Dry your window sills using an old rag to prevent the water from penetrating the wood.
Step 9. Sweep the Floors
When you have finished cleaning the entire porch, sweep the floor. Sweep or vacuum after any water drops have been dried up. Put the furnishings back in their proper places.
Is it possible to use a pressure washer to clean the screen?
A screened-in porch can be cleaned with a power washer, but you must be cautious not to tear or damage your screen. If you apply a lot of pressure or position the nozzle too close to the screen, this may punch a hole in the screen. The excellent thing is that pressure washers have the strength to clear the screens of all the dust, filth, and pollen.
If your washer has a nozzle that can be adjusted, set it to the least-pressurized mode. At least fifteen feet away from the screen, take a position where you can observe the spray.
What is the best way to clean removable screens?
It is practical to use removable screens since you can remove them during the winter season, which can save you from expensive repairs. You can use the cleaning steps mentioned above to clean them. It is tempting to remove the screens and clean them somewhere. Leaving them up is the best option to give them a thorough clean. By keeping them up, you can save time looking for a spot to put them on the ground. If you apply a water-based approach, screens can also dry more quickly. When scrubbing the screen, be sure not to push hard to avoid damaging it.
How can I protect my screen from pollen?
Putting a curtain outside the screens is essentially the best approach to block the pollen off. With this, you may keep the curtains closed while not utilizing the porch, then open them if you want to enjoy the fresh air. Find a way to place curtain rods around the porch’s frame first. Then invest in a curtain of any kind. There are some varieties available. Polyester outdoor curtains are a good option if you want something strong and stylish. These curtains are wonderful since they can be machine washed and are strong enough to be left outside all summer. Instead, consider attaching a plastic-type shower curtain liner if you prefer a more cost-effective solution.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
