Fly screens are essential for keeping insects and debris out of our homes while allowing fresh air to circulate. Over time, these screens can accumulate dirt, dust, and grime, which can reduce airflow and impair visibility. Here’s my guide to cleaning a fly screen.
How to Clean a Fly Screen
If you can remove the screen from fixture here’s the best way to clean it:
- Gently remove the screen
- Place it in the bathtub, shower or on the lawn
- Rinse it down with water
- For more stubborn dirt you can gently wipe over some diluted dishwashing detergent and then rinse it clean.
- Let dry and place back into window.
If you can’t remove the fly screen (if it’s a door for example) here’s how to clean it
- Spray the fly screen with some water
- Wipe it down using a cloth. Microfibre works best.
- For stubborn dirt I spray on a very diluted mix of dishwashing liquid and warm water. I then wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove the soap mixture. You may need to wipe it down a few times.
Using WD-40 To Clean Fly Screens
One “hack” that people are using is WD-40. This penetrating oil can be sprayed onto a cloth and then wiped over the surface of a fly screen. I haven’t tried this hack myself but apparently it’s a quick and easy way to make fly screens look like brand new.
Removing Pet Hair from Fly Screens
If you have a pet, you might that pet hair can get attracted to the screen. I’ve found the easiest way to get rid of this is using one of the sticky pet hair removers. This has the added benefit of removing other debris and dirt as well. I wouldn’t use any other type of pet hair remover as you’ll just make them dirty.
