Anyone can agree that screened-in porches are an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors. They keep pests and rain out while allowing sunlight and wind in. It’s critical to maintain your porch’s screens clean if you want to get the most out of it.

Let’s talk about how to clean screens on the porch.

How to Clean Screens on a Porch

To clean screens on the porch, you first need to vacuum to remove the fine particles built up on the screen. Then, follow it up with wet cleaning to remove even more dirt. 

So, when should you clean the screens on your porch? The answer is simple; whenever it’s time for a thorough porch cleaning. These include the beginning of spring, end of autumn; during cleaning days, you can group them to clean into one block of time rather than having to handle the tasks several days or weekends in a row.

Noting that screens act as a filter for your enclosed porch, you should keep them out of much of the dirt, debris, and pollutants that might otherwise cover everything. Unfortunately, this same filtering action results in an abundance of pollen and fine particles trapped on and in the screen itself.

What Do You Need to Clean Screens on Porch?

• Vacuum with upholstery brush and crevice tool attachments
• Step stool or ladder
• Garden hose
• Soft-bristled brush
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap
• Distilled white vinegar, although this is optional
• Spray bottle, although it is optional

Instructions

The procedure you adhere to when cleaning your porch screen depends on how dirty your porch screens are.

1. Clear away all debris. Move any trash from the edges of your room to the middle of the screened-in area with a tiny leaf blower or little vacuum cleaner. Remove any loose dirt found through the screen apertures or any screen doors using a broom and dustpan.
2. Vacuum porch screens. Begin vacuuming from the outside if you can securely reach the external surface of your porch screens. Otherwise, use a vacuum attachment with an upholstery brush to dislodge dirt from the interior of your porch screens, begin at the top and work your way down. To access the highest spots, use a step stool or ladder if needed. Next, vacuum the corners and edges of the screens using the crevice tool attachment.
3. Wet screens with a hose. Start this step by moving any items you don’t want to get wet, such as furniture or rugs, away from the screens. Then from inside the porch, use a hose to rinse debris from each screen panel. As you make your way over and down, direct the spray outward.
   
   A pressure washer may also be used to clean a screen porch, but be careful not to rip holes in the screen. However, it is recommended that if you want to minimize damage, use the lowest pressure setting and stay several feet away from the screen if you choose to use a pressure washer.
4. Scrub with soapy water. After vacuuming and hosing down the screens, use soapy water to spot-clean any spots that remain unclean or discolored or to wipe the whole surface completely. In a pail of warm water, combine a few squirts of mild dish soap. Next, gently scrub the interior of the screen with a soft-bristled brush dipped in the solution.
5. Remove the accumulated mold from the porch’s screens. Porch screens in damp areas are susceptible to the growth of mold and mildew. In a spray container, use equal parts distilled white vinegar and water to remove mold off porch screens. Using a soft-bristled brush, gently scrub the screens with the solution.
6. Rinse porch screens clean. Once your porch screens are clean, use your hose to rinse away any residual cleaning solution. Again, start from the interior of the porch and work your way out. Allow the screens to dry entirely before reintroducing furnishings to your porch.
7. Clean the cushions on your patio furniture. Dandruff, dander, and other allergens can become lodged in the screen. Fortunately, this is the most straightforward step: simply remove your cushions and place them in the washing. If you carefully clean the patio screens, you should only perform these procedures once a year.

Precautions to Observe When Cleaning Screens on Porch

A porch transforms your exterior area into a private retreat where you can stare across the yard and up at the lovely sky. In an ideal world, you’d never have to gaze through streaks or unclean areas. Cleaning your patio screen enclosure may need some effort, but the appropriate tactics make this backyard job easy.

• If you don’t have a water hose but have a pressure washer, make sure it has a low enough setting to avoid damaging the screen. Also, if you pick this equipment, stand five to seven feet away from the window to lessen water pressure.
• If you want to clean your porch’s screens quickly without removing them, use a vacuum. The suction force of the vacuum may be pretty effective in removing dirt, grime, and other particles from the screen.
• Consider utilizing a spray-on cleaning if the dirt on your displays is more filthy than dusty. Spray the solution on the screens and wipe it away with a brush or sponge. The brush has the advantage of allowing the bristles to poke through the perforations in the screen rather than remaining on the surface.

Tips to Maintain Porch Screens Clean

After cleaning the screens on your porch, do not forget to clean them again regularly. You should maintain it in good condition before your next cleaning session to ensure that it lasts as long as possible and that you enjoy the beautiful skies.

Here are some pointers on how to maintain your porch’s screen in between cleanings.

Don’t Forget About the Walls

It is also critical to keep the region in good condition. First, sweep cobwebs and dirt off walls and ceilings with a corn broom, then use a big polyester sponge to wash down the walls with an all-purpose cleaner and water solution.

Stick To the Limits

Don’t try blasting your way to bright, clean patio screens unless you’re acquainted with high-pressure spray tools. Most garden hose spray attachments will do the job without drilling holes in the enclosure materials.

Cleaning Time Is the Best Time to Remove Pet Smudges

If you have a pet, chances are they’ve left some nose streaks on your windows and sliding glass doors that you’ll need to clean. You may do this with hot water and paper towels – and in many cases, no glass cleaner is necessary!

Simply clean the area with a damp paper towel and then dry it with a dry paper towel. If you prefer or detect streaks or glare after cleaning, you can use a regular glass cleaner.

Cover Your Furniture and Porch

During pollen season, cover all outdoor furniture with plastic. This will keep the furnishings dust-free. Consider putting up vinyl drapes within screened-in patios.

Painter’s drop cloths can also be used for this purpose. Both are simple to clean.

Prevent Pollen Accumulation

Depending on where you live, pollen might be a huge concern for your porch screens. The most straightforward approach to keep pollen out is to make a curtain to put outside the screens. This allows you to close the curtains while not using the porch and open them when you want to enjoy the great outdoors.

Repaint Your Porch’s Floors and Walls

Painted wood porch floors and stairs look better and stay longer. Paints designed mainly for porches and floors are latex or oil-based, self-priming, and long-lasting. Painting a porch floor is the same as painting any other surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Possible to Power Wash a Screened-in Porch?

A power washer may be used to clean a screened-in porch, but be cautious not to damage or punch holes in the screen. This can occur if you apply too much pressure or place the nozzle too close to the screen. The good news pressure washers can remove all dust, filth, and pollen from the screens.

How Do You Remove Mold From a Porch Screen?

In a spray bottle, combine warm water and white vinegar in a half-and-half solution. To eliminate any obstinate mold, spray the screens with the solution and clean them with a scrub brush or a scrubbing sponge. This can also help clean tinted house windows, tile countertops, fish tank gravel, and brick floors.

How Can I Keep Dirt From Getting on My Patio Screen?

During pollen season, cover all outdoor furniture with plastic. This will keep the furnishings dust-free. Also, consider putting up vinyl drapes within screened-in patios. You can also use painter’s drop cloths for this purpose.

How Do I Clean Pollen off My Porch’s Screen?

To clean pollen from your porch’s screen, you can use a handheld vacuum, power washer, or all-purpose cleaner. Use a bristle brush, toothbrush, or cloth to apply the all-purpose cleaning. The essential thing to remember while cleaning pollen from window screens is to avoid applying too much pressure to the screen.

Summing Up

Cleaning the screens on the porch may be straightforward and effective if you follow our step-by-step instructions. However, when cleaning your screen, always take caution because the material might rip or be pierced. We recommend against utilizing powerful high-pressure spray equipment to minimize inadvertent harm unless you are comfortable with it.