# What's the best way to clean window screens? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 2, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-window-screens/297397 "2005-04-02T13:58:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saluki\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@saluki\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saluki_fan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-window-screens/297397/1 "2005-04-02T13:58:01Z")
At home I have casement windows that have long rectangular screens (I would say 18’’ x 4’) These screens have gotten pretty dirty since they are developing the land across from me into a subdivision (I’ll be pitting the subject of urban development versus farming in a bit). what I’m wondering is what is the most effecient way to clean these screens. I thought that just taking them out and hosing them would be sufficient, but I don’t know if I want to waste all that water (or perhaps shoot a hole in the screen). Is there any other way to clean them effectively without wasting water or using harsh chemicals that won’t hurt the environment? Thanks. I don’t _think_ this should have went in GQ , but if it should have then I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-window-screens/297397/2 "2005-04-02T15:53:31Z")
i wondered the same thing last summer. Mine were dirty from about 12 years of living there. So i took them out, put the water hose to them and it cleaned them like a charm. Took about 30 seconds on each one. Try it. Just make sure you use the water from the right direction. The difference was mind-boggling. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-window-screens/297397/3 "2005-04-02T19:37:02Z")
Vacuum them. Works for me. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-window-screens/297397/4 "2005-04-02T20:32:13Z")
We lay ours on the ground and go over them with a hand-held scrub brush, then hose them off. A dilute solution of liquid dish detergent in warm water should clean them very well. I’ll be cleaning mine in a few weeks - can’t wait… ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-window-screens/297397/5 "2005-04-03T07:45:33Z")
With a big electric fan inside, pointed out, sweep the screen inside and out with a broom or brush. Gently. You could spray with a hose from outside, but you’d get dirty windows.