That attractive pool or patio screen enclosure keeps out leaves and gives you a wonderful sense of privacy. It turns your outdoor space into a personal getaway as you gaze across the yard and up at the beautiful Florida sky. In a perfect world, you’d never be looking through streaks or dirty spots. In reality, cleaning your patio screen enclosure takes a little work, but the right strategies keep this backyard chore manageable.

Spray, Scrub and Dry
Just like washing the windows, cleaning your patio screen enclosure is important because it keeps a sparkle in your view, but it also helps extend screen and frame life. The actual job of cleaning your screen enclosure only requires a sunny afternoon, the garden hose and a mix of mild dish soap and warm water. Soak the enclosure first, and then give it a thorough scrub with a soft bristle brush. Spray everything down for a final rinse with an eye for any stubborn spots that might need a second pass. Finish up by snap-drying the screens to shake off excess water, or wipe them with a chamois. Otherwise, drips might leave streaks that undo your good work.

Make Mold Disappear
When cleaning your patio screen enclosure, you’ll probably notice some mold on the screen.  Moldy screen enclosures require a few changes in cleaning game plans. Start by watering nearby plants to protect them from your mold-busting solutions. Bleach is the liquid weapon of choice but use it sparingly. You only need 1 quart in 3 quarts of warm water and don’t forget to put on rubber gloves. If you aren’t comfortable with this recipe, substitute a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and warm water. Soak, scrub and rinse inside and out, and follow up with your snap-drying and chamois techniques. White screens keep their good looks longer if you make bleach or vinegar washes a regular part of your pool enclosure maintenance routine.

Know Your Limits

Unless you’re familiar with high-pressure spray equipment, don’t try blasting your way to bright, clean patio screens. Most garden hose spray attachments take care of the job without punching holes in enclosure materials. Often, a cleaning project means climbing the ladder, and working on a high roof requires balancing on walk boards. If you have any doubt about rising to the occasion, call a screen enclosure contractor, and arrange for professional help that keeps you grounded. The services also come in handy for big cleanup projects that are long overdue. Most homeowners are comfortable with this kind of DIY work, but know when to call in your friendly, local pro.

We hope you have found these screen enclosure cleaning tips helpful. If you think your screen enclosure is beyond the cleaning phase and ready for the replacing phase, contact Dulando Screen & Awning. We design and install pool and screen enclosures throughout central Florida, and we can help you handle all types of repairs. It’s our job to make sure you get the most out of your backyard oasis, and we’re always here for you with almost 50 years of experience. Just give us a call at 407-862-6060 to speak to one of our design consultants.