7 Tips To Keep Your Porch Screen Clean For Longer

A screened porch is a huge asset: It provides you with a comfortable indoor-outdoor space to take in some fresh air while giving you shelter from above — and it filters out unpleasant outdoor factors like bugs, too. If you're fortunate enough to possess a screened porch, you also likely know that it (like any other spot in your home) needs care and maintenance from time to time. Because it is exposed to the elements, it is only natural that it will get dirty over time. The good news is that with the right approach, you can get your porch screens clean and help them stay fresh for longer. 

While cleaning your porch screens isn't exactly a super technical chore, it does require a certain degree of knowledge. To effectively get it clean, you'll need to first remove debris from crevices, sometimes by hand with a rag and sometimes by using a vacuum attachment. After that, you'll be ready to move in with wet cleaning, like soapy water and a hose for deeper cleaning. Finally, you'll need to pay attention to bigger issues before they get out of hand, such as treating moldy spots and, of course, repairing broken screens before they let in too much debris. 

Since porch screens are filters for everything that passes through them, it's only to be expected that they will accumulate a lot of debris. Vacuuming is one of the best ways to suck out dust, dead bugs, pollen, and everything else that is clogging them up. A vacuum paired with the right attachments can be ideal for this cleaning task: use the upholstery and crevice tools to clean the surface and small, hard-to-reach corners. For tall screened porches, you'll likely need a step ladder.

The screens surrounding your patio exist to help filter debris from the outside so that it doesn't come into your house. As wonderful as this feature is for the inside of your home, it does mean that on the outside, your screen doors will be getting dirty on the regular. In order to keep your screens clean for longer, it's a good idea to wipe them down with a damp, absorbent microfiber cloth or rag, which will whisk away much of the debris before it gets too built up.

If you live in a location that gets icy and snowy weather, you'll be well acquainted with the fact that your outdoor water source will be turned off once temperatures start to dip. Before this happens, it's a good idea to give your patio screens a good rinse down with the hose and a sprayer, which can help to dislodge stubborn cobwebs, dirt, dust, and other debris that is lodged in crevices. Even if you live in a place that is warm year-round, washing off the screens before winter will help to keep them well-maintained.

While water can go a long way towards improving the cleanliness of your porch screens, from time to time, you'll need something a little more powerful. This is where some diluted dish soap enters the scene. Using a soft sponge or brush to softly scrub the screens with soapy water will remove surface-level grime that has built up over time. Remember to rinse the screens off thoroughly afterwards to avoid any soapy residue, which can make dirt stick worse in the future.

If you live in a location that has true seasons, you should be cleaning your patio screens twice a year for best results. This includes a spring cleaning after the worst of winter temps are over and a fall cleaning before the weather dips down again. With this approach, you'll stay well ahead of any significant buildup that is otherwise common with seasonal changes, such as pollen, dirt, and dust.

You already expect porch screens to get gross, but perhaps mold hadn't entered your mind. The reality is that porch screens can get moldy pretty easily during the humid months of the year. If you don't want to use harsh chemicals that can be hard on delicate screens, you can get rid of mold using vinegar. Mix white vinegar and water (diluting the vinegar in three parts water) in a spray bottle and generously spritz the affected area. After leaving it on for about 10 minutes, scrub the screen before rinsing it clean.

A screened-in patio is meant to keep the outdoors separated while still being visible. If you notice any holes or damage in the screen that compromise its ability to keep the outside out, it's time to make some repairs. If bugs and small critters are able to breach the barrier of the patio, you'll soon be dealing with more germs and dirt being introduced to not only the outer side of the screen but the inside as well. Remember that hiring a professional might be the best way to repair a broken screen.