Common cleaning product damaging screen doors – and the cheap home items you should use instead

We walk through them multiple times a day, yet many of us have never thought about cleaning our screen doors. But this forgotten spot actually holds a surprising amount of dirt and dust that ends up blowing through it and into our homes.

When people do eventually get around to cleaning them many are turning to harsh cleaners like pressure washers and chemicals to do the job, leaving their screen doors looking patchy and warped.

“With cleaning screen doors, it is important to note you can’t just use any cleaner to complete a clean as any acidic, harsh, or toxic chemicals can damage the screen door coating, discolour the doors and mesh and cause rust and corrosion,” Sara Allan, professional cleaner and owner of Housekeeping Heroes, told nine.com.au.

“Also, never pressure wash a screen door as it is too strong on the frames and mesh and will cause discoloration, which is irreversible, which people think looks dirty but it is because the black colouring of this specific door’s paint has been removed by the user using a pressure washer.”

To clean screen doors you don’t need anything fancy or expensive, and you probably already have what you need in the house. The supplies include a bucket, dishwashing liquid, a dustpan brush and a microfibre cloth.

“The first step is to either brush down both sides of the door with a soft bristled broom or vacuum both sides and then use a soft pH neutral cleanser such as dishwashing liquid in warm water as a cleanser,” Allan said.

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“I put 25ml dishwashing liquid into a mop bucket and top up with warm water and then use the soft bristled broom to dip into the cleaning solution and scrub both sides of the door.

“I then use a garden hose to rinse off all residue (by opening the door completely, so when we rinse the water doesn’t travel under the door) and then wipe over with a microfibre cloth to remove as much moisture as possible.”

Another option is to fill a spray bottle with warm soapy water to spray the door before scrubbing. If you don’t have easy access to a hose you could also just use a spray bottle with water only to rinse the door with.

However, if your screen door is from a particular brand and within the warranty period, it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning so you don’t risk voiding the warranty.

Screen doors aren’t the kind of thing you can just leave for spring cleaning; Allan said they need regular attention to prevent them becoming difficult to clean and keep them in good condition.

It’s particularly important to keep screen doors clean if you’re in a construction area where there is more dust and debris circulating in the local environment than usual.

“Screen doors should be cleaned every fortnight so there is no long timeframe in between to allow dust and debris to build up, which would result in a longer clean, where if the screens are brushed down frequently this doesn’t allow build up to form.

“It is essential to clean your screen doors to prevent rust or corrosion from occurring and most importantly needs to be free of dust and debris, so the home can be ventilated with clean airflow.”