Window screens
There are few things more pleasant than a nice breeze blowing through your home when the temperature is just right. Without your window screens, though, those summer winds might come blowin’ in with bugs and other critters or, worse, a burglar.
Your window screens offer more than just pest control on nice days and lowkey security every day. They can keep your windows looking nice year-round by acting as a dust guard so that you have to clean less often to maintain your view. They can also help your home feel more comfortable even with windows closed in warmer months as they offer insulation and protect your interior from some of the harmful sun rays, which can shorten the life of expensive carpet and furniture.
Let’s take five to put in the kind of screen time you don’t have to feel guilty about — we’re going to check your window’s secret weapon! And if you have some extra time today, we’ll show you how to clean your screens to keep your view looking great.
TAKE A LOOK
In most parts of the country, window screens are kept on year-round and you can complete this task by just walking around your home. If yours are currently swapped out for storm windows or you have them stored elsewhere, go take a peek there.
Walk around your home and examine each screen carefully. While some damage to your screens will be obvious — like a large hole, loose screen, or rust — you may also have small holes or slits in your screens that can allow bugs in. A hole smaller than an inch that isn’t fraying can typically be an easy DIY repair with the help of a $10 kit from your local hardware store.
If your screens look like swiss cheese with several holes or larger ones, it might make more sense to have them repaired professionally or replaced.
In addition to looking at your screens, touch them gently too. If you have iron mesh ones and they have corroded, your finger will just push through and you’ll know that you need new ones.
LISTEN UP
If the once subtle sound of road noise inside your home has become an annoying din, it might be time to replace your window screens. Sound dampening is a less obvious benefit of window screens that diminishes over time and is a sign that it may be time to buy new ones.
Over time, your window screens will lose their effectiveness due to damage from the sun and the elements. If you notice that yours look shiny, this is a sign that it’s time to buy replacements.
CLEAN START
We hope that you got great news today that your window screens are all in great shape and have years of life left in them! The best way to ensure that your screens give you the most benefit over their remaining years is to clean them. You should plan on a deep cleaning at least once a year. If you live in a particularly dusty area or near the ocean, tackle this task quarterly.
If you have time today, grab some dish soap and a cleaning rag or window screen brush. It would also be helpful for you to have a Sharpie on hand to label your window screens.
To get started, carefully remove your screens. To make it easier to replace them, use the Sharpie to write the room name where it belongs along the edge where it won’t be seen when in place.
Create a soapy solution then rinse your screens with a garden hose. Use the cleaning rag or window screen brush to apply the bubbles to your screen and gently scrub to loosen dirt and grime. Rinse with the garden hose and repeat if necessary until the screens are clean.
Gently shake the screens to remove excess water and allow them to dry before replacing your screens.
If you recently cleaned your screens or don’t have time to do a full scrub today, you can always leave them in place and run a lint roller over them to remove dirt in between cleanings.
GOOD JOB
Congrats! You’ve completed another bite-sized home maintenance task. Each small task that you complete every week helps keep your home in tiptop shape, makes your family more comfortable, and helps protect your investment.