How to Clean a Screen Door

Your screen door should be something you enjoy in the summer, and a reminder of warmer days in the winter. No matter the season, your screen door will need some cleaning. Luckily the process of how to clean a screen door is simple, and can be done any weekend afternoon.

It’s important to clean your screen door once every season. If you skip cleaning in the winter though, we don’t blame you! It may just mean a little extra elbow grease during your spring cleaning. Check to make sure you have all the supplies you need, then follow our six simple steps for cleaning your screen door. You’ll be thanking us when summer comes around!

What You’ll Need

Before you get started, you need to make sure you have all the tools to complete the job. Otherwise, you’ll be spending more time running around than actually cleaning your screen door. Here’s everything you need to get started:

• Screwdriver
• Bucket
• Hot water
• Soap or all-purpose cleaner
• Three or more large towels
• Vacuum
• Vacuum head attachment
• Sponge or microfiber cloth
• A dirty screen door!

Optional Items

Some additional items that you may find beneficial to use are new screws, rubber gloves and a garden hose. We’ll explain why you might need these items later on.

Steps to Clean a Screen Door

Now that you’ve got all of your tools, it’s time to learn how to clean your screen door. Just follow the steps below and your door will look as good as new.

1. Remove the Screen

Washing screens can be a messy job. Removing the screen from your doorway and moving it to the garage or outside to the lawn ensures that you won’t be making a mess inside.

Before removing the screen, use this as an opportunity to check the hardware holding your door. If the screws are rusted, purchase new ones and replace the screws when you are done cleaning.

When removing the screen door, go slowly so you don’t tear it.

2. Vacuum the Screens

Before scrubbing the door with water, it’s important to get the larger debris off of the screen first. Lay the screen on one or two towels for protection and to prevent additional dirt from collecting on it.

Using a vacuum head attachment, gently run it across the screen. Move slowly, so the screen doesn’t tear. Do this until most of the large dirt particles have been removed.

3. Wash with Soap and Water

Using any all-purpose cleaner or soap, create a mixture in a bucket that’s one part cleaner and three parts hot water.

To wash the screen, it’s beneficial to use a sponge or a microfiber cloth. These are more gentle than a standard towel or wash cloth. Avoid using any scrub or cloth that is abrasive. You don’t want to rip the screen during washing!

This is the point where you may choose to grab your rubber gloves. With or without gloves, dunk the sponge or micro fiber cloth into the soap and water mixture. Squeeze out the excess water and soap. Begin scrubbing the screen very gently. Your screen door should still be laying on the towel. The towel will collect dirty water that drips off the screen, leaving you with a fresh and clean door.

If you find your bucket of soap and water is getting too dirty, dump it out and make a new one. Remember the mixture is 1 part cleaner and 3 parts hot water. Continue scrubbing until the screen looks good as new.

4. Don’t Forget to Wash the Door Frame

Dirt and debris can easily collect on the screen’s frame, so take the time to wash this away as well. Getting everything done in one sitting is also a smart use of your time.

5. Time to Rinse

You wouldn’t want to install the screen door still covered in soap!Now is the time to lift the door off of the towel and prop it against the wall of your house, a tree or another clean surface.

Choose a surface that can get wet while you rinse off the door. Make sure that it’s propped up in a way that allows for water to pass through the door and drip onto the ground.

If you have a garden hose, now is the time to use it. You’ll want to turn your spray nozzle to a gentle or moderate setting. Spraying the door too harshly could result in a tear in the screen. Aim the hose at the door, and spray! Rinse the door completely, until the water dripping from it runs clear.

No hose? No problem!

Take the bucket you used to wash the screen door, dump the soapy water out, and rinse the bucket until it’s completely clean. Fill the bucket with fresh water and dump the contents onto the door.

You may need to fill your bucket several times before the door is completely free of soapy water. Using a hose is preferable since it’s faster, but a bucket works just as well.

6. Make Sure Your Door is Dry

If you’re eager to reinstall your door, you may pat dry your door with a clean towel. As always, be gentle. There’s no need to rub the screen with the towel. Pat the screen door until it’s as dry as possible.

If you aren’t in a hurry or you have other chores you hope to complete, you may allow the door to air dry. Be sure to set it up in an area where it won’t get dirty. You worked so hard to clean it! You may also use a combination of the pat-dry and air-dry methods.

Your Screen Door is Clean

Your screen door is clean and ready to be enjoyed yet again. At this point, you may wish to install new screws if the old ones were rusted or in poor condition. Unless you are making drastic changes to the look of your home, reinstall the door exactly as it was before.

Consider asking for help with this step! You may find reinstalling the door is easier when one person holds the door upright and the other person screws it in place.

It’s as simple as that! We recommend choosing a sunny day to complete this job. Don’t start the project unless you’re sure you have time to finish it. Give yourself several hours, preferably on a weekend or other day you don’t have obligations. To make it fun, listen to music or grab a book on tape to pass the time. Before you know it, your screen door will be looking like new again!

Do you need a replacement door for your home? Feldco offers Madison home owners beautiful entry, patio and storm doors. They’re all installed by factory trained and certified professionals to ensure that they’ll withstand the test of time.

Don’t wait –  get a free quote now and join 350,000 other homeowners who have trusted Feldco with their home improvement projects.