How to Clean a Deck Screen

An outdoor screen deck or patio can be a great place to get fresh air, but deck and window screens can accumulate dirt and grime over time. If you've ever touched your deck screens with a clean hand or cloth, chances are you've experienced how dirty they can be. Cleaning deck screens is not difficult, and doing it can reduce the accumulation of dirt and other particles on your screens.

Things You'll Need

• Stiff-bristled brush
• All-purpose cleaner
• Drop cloth
• Hose

Instructions

1. Remove the screen from its frame. Screens often are held in place by simple pins or locks that must be pulled inward or swiveled to release the screen.

2. Set a drop cloth down on a hard, flat surface, then lay the screen over the cloth.

3. Spray the screen with a hose to moisten it and loosen dirt. Use less-powerful settings to avoid damaging the screen.

4. Apply all-purpose cleaner to the screen and rub it with a stiff brush. Use light to moderate pressure when rubbing to avoid damaging or warping the screen.

5. Rinse the screen with the hose again to wash away the cleaner.

6. Reinstall the screen in the deck and repeat the process for each screen panel you want to clean.

Tips & Warnings

• If your screens are not built to be removed, you can use the same cleaning process as in Steps 2-5.

• Using a nontoxic biodegradable cleaner will ensure that runoff from your cleaning won't harm the environment.

References

• Decks USA: Cleaning Your Deck