Clean screens aren’t just about a clear view. All of the dirt, dust, and bugs that accumulate on them can affect your home's indoor air quality as it blows inside on the breeze. So, while the sunshine is here, it's a great time to tackle one easy chore: clean those dirty window screens.

Gather Your Materials and Tools

  • Microfiber cloth or soft towel
  • Mild all-purpose dish soap
  • A gallon of warm water
  • Soft-bristled brush or sponge
  • Garden hose or bucket for rinsing
  • Masking Tape and Washable Marker
  • Fan (optional)
  • Screwdriver (optional, may be required for screen doors.)
  • Optional: A bit of vinegar mixed with water (1:1), or magic eraser
A dust-covered window screen.
Are you cleaning your window screens often enough? Probably not. Credit: Vladimir Minchenko

1. Take Out the Screens

  • Pop the screens from the window jamb. Use a screwdriver if necessary. They should easily release with light pressure.
  • Label the screens with a piece of tape so that you know which goes where.
  • Be careful; some standard screen frames are flimsy! Try to keep the window screens flat (not torqued) and in an upright position.
  • Arrange them carefully to avoid snags or tears during the cleaning process.

2. Dust or Vacuum

  • Use a lint-free dry cloth to clear loose debris from the dusty window screen.
  • Vacuum the screens with the soft bristle attachment if the screen is really dirty. A low-intensity setting reduces the possibility of damage.
  • Take note where there's grime on screens. You'll want to target excess dirt.

3. Prepare to Wash

  • Mix mild dish soap with warm water in a bucket/bowl.
  • Clear space on your porch/deck/yard/balcony. Lay down towels if you'd like.
  • If you lack outdoor space, make room in your bathtub or shower.

4. Scrub the Screens

  • Saturate a washcloth, microfiber towel, or a clean sponge in the sudsy cleaning solution.
  • Stand the window screen up and wipe it down on both sides working from the top down.
  • Wipe the edges but be careful not to bend the metal window prongs.
A person washes a window screen with soapy water.
A gentle scrub brush goes a long way to clean window screens. Credit: Bill Oxford / Getty Images

5. Rinse the Screens

  • Use a garden hose, the shower head, or bucket of clean water to rinse soap residue off the entire screen. If using a spray nozzle attachment, choose a gentle setting.
  • A good rule of thumb is to work from the top down so that the soapy water, dust particles, and loosened buildup of grime flow off the screen and frame.

6. Remove Stubborn Stains (if necessary)

  • Apply a vinegar cleaning solution to tough stains (especially in the crevices of the frame).
  • Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before gently scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush.
  • Rinse screens thoroughly.

7. Dry the Screens

  • Pat the screens dry with a microfiber cloth or soft towel or leave the screens outside in a sunny spot to air dry.

8. Clean the Window Frame

  • This is a good time to clean the glass and actual window frame too. Wipe the frame down with a damp microfiber cloth and check for black mold in the corners. 

9. Inspect for Damage

  • Check for any tears or holes in the screens.
  • Use a window screen repair kit to mend any damages if needed.
  • Look at the edges for rusty screens and replace them.

10. Reinstall the Screens

  • Reattach the screens to the original window jamb. Remember to match each screen to the right spot; you may not easily notice if it's the wrong window!
Clean window screen looking at the sunrise or sunset.
Remove dust and dirt from your window screens twice a year. Credit: Photo by Darrin Henein on Unsplash

How many times a year should you clean your screens?

You should remove the screens from the window frame for a deep cleaning at least twice a year, ideally in spring and fall. If you live in a cold climate where your windows are shut for the winter months, you can take out your screens, wash and dry them, store them in your basement/garage/closet, and then reinstall them in the spring.

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Any tips for cleaning screens you can't remove?

  • Use a vacuum with a brush bristle brush attachment or use a soft cloth.
  • A lint roller can be handy to pick up surface debris.
  • Spot clean with a mild soap solution or white vinegar for stubborn bird poop stains.
  • Lay a towel down at the base of the window sill to absorb excess water. Wipe the screens with a heavily diluted mix of water and dish soap (no need to rinse).
  • Leave the window open and/or have a fan blowing on the screen until it's dry.

Does vacuuming between cleanings help?

If you live in a dusty region and you see a lot of visible debris building up on your window screens, using a vacuum can help stay on top of it. Suck up any loose dirt and spot clean visible stains like bird poop on a dirty screen as soon as you notice them.