How to Clean Screens on a Porch

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: September 12, 2022 References

How do you clean your porch screens when dirt and grime start blocking your beautiful view? Removing dust and buildup from your screens is a straightforward process that you can do yourself with regular household cleaners. That’s why we’ve put together a thorough guide to getting everything from dust to rust off your porch screens. Keep scrolling to get the scoop, and then kick back and enjoy your sparkling clean view!

1

Move porch items away from the screens.

Get furniture and décor out of the way so you can access the screens. This is to protect them from rogue dust and water while you clean the screens. Move any items on the outside of the porch away from the screens as well. All immovable plants can be covered with a lightweight tarp.^{[1]
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2

Dust the porch.

Wipe all surfaces so old dust won’t drift onto your freshly cleaned screens. This also gives the porch a cleaner appearance overall. Make sure to hit light fixtures, ceiling fans, furniture, and corners and crevices. Wear a dust mask to protect your lungs from dust and allergens, like pollen.^{[2]
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3

Vacuum the exterior of the screens.

Use an upholstery brush vacuum attachment to suck dust away from the porch. Use a step stool or ladder to begin vacuuming at the top of the screen and work your way down. Use light pressure while vacuuming to avoid tearing or popping the screen out.^{[3]
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- If you can’t safely reach the screens from the outside, vacuum from the inside of the porch (still working from top to bottom).
- Afterward, switch to a crevice attachment and vacuum the corners and edges around the screens.

4

Hose down the screens from inside.

Use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle to spray away debris. Spray from the inside, working your way down and across each panel. Use nozzle settings that cover large surface areas first, then try stronger jets to target stubborn debris spots.^{[4]
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- Alternately, use a power washer to spray the screens. Stand several feet away and use the lowest pressure setting to avoid damaging the screen.

5

Spot clean with soapy water.

Scrub away stubborn dirt that the vacuum or hose can't clean. Fill a bucket with warm water and a few squirts of liquid dish soap, then mix them together to make bubbles. Dip a soft-bristled brush into the water and use it to scrub problem spots from inside the screen.^{[5]
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- Scrub the entire screen if you notice significant dirty spots or if the vacuum and hose combo was ineffective.
- Wash the frames around the screens as well, since they can accumulate dust and dirt over time.

6

Apply an all-purpose cleaner for grimy spots.

Removing grime takes stronger cleaning chemicals than dust and dirt. Make a mixture of 0.25 cups (59 mL) all-purpose cleaner and 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a large bucket and apply it to the screen with a clean cloth. Use a sponge or soft brush to wipe the grime away, then rinse off the area with clean water.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, apply a spray-on cleaner directly to the screen and let it sit according to the instructions on the bottle before scrubbing and rinsing away.

7

Use vinegar to clean rust spots.

Soak weather-rusted spots in vinegar to dissolve them. Pour some distilled, white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray rusty spots thoroughly. Let the vinegar sit on the rust for a few hours, then use clean water and a soft brush to scrub away the rust.^{[7]
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- Spray the screen clean with a garden hose afterwards.
- Alternately, smear the rust spots with a paste of baking soda and water and let it sit for up to 10 minutes. Scrub the rust away with a soft brush and rinse the screen afterward.

8

Remove mold spots with bleach.

Bleach is the quickest, most effective way to tackle mold on screens. First, dilute the bleach with water in a large bucket (mix about 6 parts water to 1 part bleach). Put on some protective gloves and then scrub the mold with the bleach and a soft brush, sponge, or clean cloth.^{[8]
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- Bleach can discolor aluminum, so rinse away the bleach as soon as you’re done removing the mold.
- If you’d rather avoid harsh bleach, try a mixture of equal parts water and distilled, white vinegar instead.

9

Rinse the screens with a hose again.

Spray away leftover cleaning chemicals to avoid screen damage. Just like before, spray outwardly from the inside and work top to bottom. Let the screens dry fully before replacing or rearranging the porch furniture.^{[9]
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10

Sweep the porch.

Sweep or vacuum any dirt or cleaning solution that fell off on the floor. Make sure any wet spots are dried to prevent water damage, too. Afterward, return all your furniture and decorations to their original spot and uncover your plants.^{[10]
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11

Clean screens monthly to avoid buildup.

Vacuum or dust your screens as part of your regular porch cleaning. Frequent light cleaning will reduce the buildup of dirt and grime, meaning you won’t have to deep clean your screens as often. You’ll also get to enjoy clean, sunny screens all summer long!^{[11]
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