How to clean screen doors and windows

A step-by-step guide

You love them! They look absolutely brilliant and you're pretty chuffed about how your new screen doors and windows improve the look of your property. As with most things, after the 'musing' comes the 'maintenance'.

Each of our main product ranges are different, so here are some general tips on the best ways of maintaining them. We recommend you also refer to our 'Maintenance Guide' under our 'Warranties' for more information.

HOW TO CLEAN INSECT OR FLY SCREENS

For our flyscreen windows and door range the actual mesh itself can’t be removed easily, but even though it needs very little maintenance, over time it can get dust built-up from winds blowing outside. The moisture, steam and grease that’s naturally in the air (how many times are your glasses greasy when you haven’t touched them?) will settle from the inside and dust then sticks to it from the outside. This takes a long time to happen, but it will impact the visibility through the mesh.

We use several different types of mesh, but to be on the safe side avoid using harsh or strange chemical cleaners as they may tarnish them:

• Use just a little washing up liquid in a bucket of warm water and microfibre mitt (one where fibres are big and shaggy is best)

• If you don’t have a microfibre cloth, then a clean sponge will do and gently wipe from the top down

• Make sure the sponge isn’t too wet or you’ll get lots of drips

• Do this on both sides and most of the dust and grime should come off onto the sponge or mitt

• Rinse the mitt or use a clean rag and repeat to pick up the last remnants of dirt and moisture

• Allow to air dry

If the screens are especially dirty and you are able to carefully remove them, take them outside where you can use water more liberally and you don’t need to be so careful with splashes. Then allow to air dry and place back.

HOW TO CLEAN DIAMOND GRILLE, BASIX, XCEED OR SECUREVIEW SCREENS

Most are made from stainless steel or aluminium. You won’t be able to remove them, so for large grilles like our Diamond Grille range we recommend avoiding using harsh chemicals or abrasive cloths or scourers as this can tarnish the powder coating. Refer to our Maintenance Guide for further information.

• Dry dust with a microfibre mitt (one with large wooly fibres)

• If you don’t have a microfibre cloth, then a clean dry soft cloth will do

• Use the mitt, slightly wet from some warm slightly soapy water, and this should enable you to get into the corners and especially the frames

• A clean sponge is also fine

• Don’t get it too wet otherwise you’ll be cleaning up all the drips after

• Keep rinsing it so it doesn’t get full of dust

• Make sure the sponge isn’t too wet or you’ll get lots of drips

• Work from the top down, inside and out if possible

• Rinse the mitt or use a clean soft cloth and repeat to pick up the last remnants of dirt and moisture

• Allow to air dry