The essentials in 30 seconds
Take the screen out of the frame (most release with tabs or pins) and, if you are doing several, note which window each one came from. Brush off cobwebs and loose debris, then rinse with a garden hose on a low-pressure spray: screens are fragile. Scrub gently with a soft bristle brush dipped in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, or half water and half white vinegar, working top to bottom. Rinse off all the soap, shake off the water, wipe with a towel or microfibre cloth and let the screen dry completely, in the sun if you can, before refitting it and locking the hardware. Fine stainless steel mesh screens are different: Andersen says to dust them dry, never with a hose or water.
- Never use a hard bristle brush: it can damage the mesh.
- Clean screens once a year (Phifer) or twice, in spring and autumn (Andersen).
- Hydrophobic-coated mesh needs cleaning less often.
How to clean window screens
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01
Remove the screen
Push the tabs or pins and lift it out carefully; label it if you are doing several.
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02
Brush off debris
Gently remove cobwebs and large bits.
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03
Mix the solution
A bucket of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, or 50/50 water and white vinegar.
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04
Rinse with the hose
Lean the screen against a wall or fence and spray lightly; use the spray setting, not high pressure.
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05
Scrub gently
Soft bristle or soft-fibre brush, circular strokes from top to bottom, dipping the brush often; mix fresh solution if it gets dirty.
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06
Rinse again
Remove all soap residue with the hose.
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07
Dry
Shake off the water, wipe with a towel or microfibre cloth and leave it leaning in the sun; flip it halfway.
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08
Refit
Only when completely dry, in its original window, with no gaps and the hardware locked.
Aluminium, coated and stainless steel screens
| Screen | How to clean it | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Standard aluminium mesh | Hose on low pressure, mild soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, dry | Hard bristle brushes, high pressure |
| Hydrophobic-coated mesh (Phifer) | Same method; it repels water and dirt, so needs cleaning less often | High pressure |
| Fine stainless steel mesh (Andersen TruScene) | Wool, feather or synthetic duster, or a soft cloth, dry | Hose and water |
| Very dirty screens | Vacuum first with a shop vacuum, then wash (Phifer) | Scrubbing hard |
Cleaning screens in place
When you cannot take a screen out, Phifer mentions keeping it clean with a lint roller or a duster, which is useful on upper floors to avoid a ladder. It works for routine dust, but washing with soap and water gives the best result. For fine stainless steel mesh, dry dusting is the method the maker recommends anyway.
When to clean window screens
Phifer recommends cleaning screens once a year, or more often if they face wind, rain or dust. Renewal by Andersen suggests twice a year, together with the windows: in spring to wash off winter dirt and road salt, and in autumn to remove the dust and pollen of summer. After drying screens outside, check them again for dirt or insects before you put them back.
What not to do when cleaning window screens
- Hard bristle brushes, which can damage the mesh.
- High-pressure hose settings or pressure washers.
- Water on fine stainless steel mesh screens that the maker says to dust dry.
- Refitting screens wet, or in the wrong window.
How to clean window screens: frequently asked questions
What is the best way to clean window screens?
Remove them, rinse with a hose on low pressure, scrub gently with mild soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, and let them dry completely.
Can I clean window screens without removing them?
For light dust, yes: a lint roller or duster works. For a proper clean, washing them out of the frame gives better results.
Can I use vinegar to clean window screens?
Yes. Phifer mentions a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar as an alternative to mild dish soap.
Can I pressure wash window screens?
No. Screens are fragile: use a garden hose on a light spray setting.
How do I clean stainless steel mesh screens?
Andersen says to dust its TruScene stainless mesh screens with a soft duster or cloth, without a hose or water.
How often should window screens be cleaned?
Once or twice a year: Phifer says yearly, Andersen recommends spring and autumn.
Sources
Manufacturer guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Phifer · How to clean window screens ↗Once a year, more often in harsh weather; hard bristle brushes can damage screens; removing screens with tabs or pins and noting their window; warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap or 50/50 water and white vinegar; light hose pressure; shop vacuum for very dirty screens; hydrophobic-coated mesh; soft bristle brush; rinsing; shaking and drying in the sun, flipping halfway; refitting with no gaps; lint roller or duster for upper floors.
- Renewal by Andersen · Tips for cleaning your windows' insect screens and glass ↗Aluminium screens: brush off debris, hose on low pressure, mild soap and a soft-fibre brush in circular strokes top to bottom, shake, towel or microfibre, dry leaning in the sun, inspect, refit and lock hardware; TruScene stainless mesh dusted dry with no hose or water; clean twice a year, spring and autumn.
Torn mesh or bent frame?
A damaged screen will not keep insects out: note its size and mesh type before asking for a rescreen or replacement.