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How to clean a fly screen

prettyliving
Amassing an Audience

Difficulty: Beginner

It's common for fly screens to become dusty and dirty over time. This can potentially block fresh air from entering your home and look unsightly.

Here is a simple guide to cleaning a standard fly screen.

Let us know if you have any questions. We’d be happy to assist.

Steps

Step 1

Remove the fly screen.


Unscrew any clips or fasteners holding the screen in place. Hold the screen’s left and right edges and push it upwards into the window frame’s top track. Do this until the screen's bottom edge slides out of the bottom track. Now remove the screen out of the frame by pulling it down out of the top track.

Locate a clean and dry area for cleaning the screen and place it there.

For fixed fly screens, place towels along your windowsill and floor to protect them from any water or product stains. 

 

1.0 Dirty fly screen.png  1.1 Remove fly screen.png  1.2 Place screen on a clean area.png

 

 

Step 2

Dilute the degreaser.

 

Follow the instructions on the product label to dilute the degreaser. Make sure you are wearing the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and eye protection.

 

Fill the bucket with the required amount of water and add the degreaser. I added one part degreaser to 10 parts water.

 

For heavily stained or dirty screens, use the degreaser undiluted.

 

2.0 Fill bucket with water.png  2.1 Add degreaser to water.png

 

 

Step 3

Scrub the fly screen.

 

Dip a soft bristle brush into the diluted degreaser and then use it to scrub the screen. Do not scrub the screen too vigorously as doing so can damage the mesh.

 

Scrub both sides of the screen.

 

3.0 Dip the brush in the degreaser solution.png  3.1 Scrub screen lightly.png  3.1. Scrub both sides of the screen.png

 

Step 4

Wash the fly screen.

 

Lean the screen against a wall or post. Hose off the dirt and degreaser solution until the water runs clear. If the screen is still dirty, repeat step 3.

 

For fixed screens, use a spray bottle filled with water and a wet cloth to wipe away the dirt and degreaser solution. 

4.0 Place scrubbed screen against post or wall.png  4.1. Hose off degreaser mixture on screen.png

 

Step 5

Dry the fly screen.

 

Leave the screen to dry outdoors in a clean area.

 

For quicker drying, wipe the screen gently using a clean towel.

 

5.0 Leave the screen to dry outdoors..png  5.1. Wipe with a towel for quicker drying.png

 

Step 6

Reinstall the fly screen.

Once the screen has dried, push the top edge of the screen up into the top window track. Now insert the screen's bottom edge back into the bottom track. Position the screen in the frame and clip the edges back into place.

Enjoy your clean fly screen.

 

6.0 Reinstall the cleaned fly screen.png  6.1 Fly screen re-installed.png  6.2. Newly cleaned fly screen.png

Materials

Tools

  • Bucket
  • Garden hose
  • Soft bristle brush
  • Towel or rag
  • Safety gear, including gloves and safety glasses.

Images

1.0 Dirty fly screen.png  1.1 Remove fly screen.png  1.2 Place screen on a clean area.png  2.0 Fill bucket with water.png  2.1 Add degreaser to water.png  3.0 Dip the brush in the degreaser solution.png  3.1 Scrub screen lightly.png  3.1. Scrub both sides of the screen.png  4.0 Place scrubbed screen against post or wall.png  5.0 Leave the screen to dry outdoors..png  5.1. Wipe with a towel for quicker drying.png  6.0 Reinstall the cleaned fly screen.png  6.1 Fly screen re-installed.png  6.2. Newly cleaned fly screen.png

4 Replies
MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Wonderful guide, @prettyliving, that I trust our members will find useful.

 

I appreciate the advice on removing the flyscreen from the window frame, as I always find that a bit tricky. Now that I think of it, I've got a few flyscreens around my home that could do with a clean-up. It looks like I've got next weekend's job lined up. 👍

 

Many thanks for sharing.

 

Mitchell

 

Akanksha
Retired Team Member
Retired Team Member

An effective and easy method of cleaning fly screens. Thank you, Jess (@prettyliving).

 

Those looking for more information on cleaning different parts of their home can find similar guides underneath the topic labelled Cleaning in our How To section. These include guides like How to remove stains from garage floors and How to unclog a blocked shower drain.

 

Don't hesitate to reach out if you need help with your cleaning project. We'd be happy to assist.

 

Akanksha

 

 

sunillinus20
Growing in Experience

Thank you for this post. Been looking for a post or video around the web to know how to clean the fly screens. 

Question. Does bunnings sell those brushes as well?

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Hi @sunillinus20,

 

It's great to hear that you've found this article useful and I'm sure @prettyliving will be pleased to know it's been helpful. The brush used here can be found in the budget-friendly Morgan Black Dustpan And Brush Set. We also have the Permastik Fly Screen Value Brush and Permastik Fly Screen Vacuum Brush that can be used to maintain your flyscreen after washing.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Mitchell

 

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