A patio screen enclosure allows you to enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about insects and other pests that come with being outdoors. They also provide privacy and can act as a personal oasis in our own backyards. 

Screen enclosures generally do not require a lot of maintenance but you may need to clean your enclosure more often if you have a lot of trees on your property. A dirty enclosure isn’t just unsightly, it could also have implications for your health if mold, algae, pollen, and mildew are allowed to build up. In addition to being a health concern, algae and mold can also prematurely age your structure. 

The good news is screen enclosures are not difficult to clean. Learning how to properly maintain your patio screen enclosure or pool enclosure will not only keep it clean and ready for company, but it will also prolong its life. Follow these tips for keeping your patio screen enclosure clean.

Cleaning Your Patio Screen Enclosure

It’s a good idea to clean your screen enclosure at the beginning and end of each outdoor season. Here in Florida, that season is a little longer than in other parts of the country. We recommend deep cleaning in March and November and spot-cleaning on an as-needed basis.

You can tie in cleaning your screened enclosure with other seasonal yard work that is on your list to do. 

What You Need to Clean Your Screened Enclosure

• Vacuum with an upholstery brush and crevice tool attachments
• A blower to clean the roof
• Step stool or ladder
• Garden hose
• Soft-bristled brush
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap
• Chamois or microfiber towel

Depending on how dirty your enclosed screen patio is, you may not have to complete every step each time you clean. Use your best judgment when tackling this project. 

Clean Your Screen Enclosure by Hand

First, you’ll need to clean your screened enclosure by hand to ensure deep cleaning. Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush attachment to loosen debris from the hard-to-reach crevices of your porch screens, starting from the top and working your way down. For a tall pool enclosure, a ladder will come in handy but a screened patio or lanai may only require a step stool. 

You can brush the screen with a soft bristle brush to remove stuck leaves and debris. Make sure the brush bristles are soft so that you do not damage the screen. We recommend using a leaf blower to remove debris from the roof. 

Soak Your Screens

Next, you’ll use a garden hose to soak the screens of your patio screen enclosure. Before you begin hosing down the screens make sure you remove any patio furnishings or rugs that you do not want to get wet. Spray the screens from inside the patio outward as you work your way across and down each panel. 

For stuck-on grime that doesn’t want to budge a pressure washer can be an effective tool but take care not to tear holes in your screen. A power washer can help eliminate stubborn stains and is pretty convenient for hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from a hardware store. 

To avoid damaging your screens use the lowest setting and be sure to stand some distance away from the screen. While you have it out you can also hit your pool deck, porch, or lanai to get a fully cleaned outdoor living space. 

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Scrub With Soapy Water

Mix a few squirts of mild dish detergent like Dawn with warm water in a bucket. Then use the soapy water to clean the entire surface of each screen enclosure panel. Dip your soft bristle brush into the soapy water mixture and gently scrub the screen. 

If your patio screen enclosure is in a shaded area it may have mold or mildew growth that will need to be removed. To clean mold and mildew mix equal parts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the screens and gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush. 

This solution leaves an acidic residue that hinders mold growth and is more gentle than bleach or other harsh chemicals sold to combat mold. If you’re worried about the vinegar smell, it dissipates once it’s dry.

While scrubbing your screens be sure to check for any holes or damage that needs to be repaired. Fixing a hole in your screen is much easier the sooner they are found. If you find a hole keep in mind that Screen Enclosures and More also repair screens, so be sure to give us a call.  

Rinse the Screens

Once you’ve cleaned every panel of your screened enclosure, grab your garden hose to rinse away any remaining soap. Again be sure to work from inside your porch spraying outward. Once the entire enclosure has been thoroughly rinsed take note of any spots that are not clean. 

Go ahead and scrub any areas that remain dirty with the soapy mixture one more time and then give those areas one more rinse. 

Drying Your Screen Enclosure

This last step is optional. You can absolutely allow your screen enclosure to air-dry but some people prefer to wipe it with chamois so that drip marks do not form. After all that hard work, what is one more step to ensuring a sparkling clean patio or pool screen enclosure? 

Use a chamois or microfiber towel to wipe down the metal posts and any of the screens that still appear wet. You don’t have to wipe until the screens are 100% dry. Removing the majority of the water from the metal posts is enough to ensure that streaks do not form. 

Patio Screen Enclosures Require Regular Cleaning

Cleaning your patio screen enclosure is a great way to extend the life of your investment. Screen enclosures can become dirty or even covered in mold or mildew depending on where they are located and the conditions. Follow these tips to ensure proper cleaning so that you can enjoy your screen enclosure for a long time. 

Thinking of adding a screen enclosure or pool enclosure to your home? Screen Enclosures and More’s team of professional installers can help you bring your vision. Request a free quote today or give us a call at (904) 800-4007.