How to Clean Windows and Install Screens
After a long winter of sealed-up windows, spring is the time to let fresh air back in. But before you open those windows, they need a thorough cleaning inside and out, and your screens need inspection for damage that could let insects into your home. This is one of the most satisfying spring maintenance tasks—clean windows make every room in your house feel brighter and more inviting.
Quick Summary
Time Required
2-4 hours
Difficulty
Easy — DIY friendly
Estimated Cost
$10-50
Cleaning Windows Inside and Out
The key to streak-free windows is using the right solution, working in the shade, and using a squeegee instead of paper towels. Start with the exterior since it tends to be dirtier.
Choose your cleaning solution
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle for an effective, inexpensive cleaner. For heavily soiled windows with hard water stains or oxidation, a commercial glass cleaner with ammonia works better. Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight—the solution evaporates before you can wipe it off, leaving streaks behind.
Wash exterior glass first
Spray or apply the solution generously to the exterior glass. Use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to loosen dirt, then pull a squeegee from top to bottom in overlapping strokes. Wipe the squeegee blade between each stroke with a lint-free cloth. For second-story windows, use an extension pole with a squeegee attachment rather than a ladder.
Clean interior glass
Repeat the process on the inside. Interior glass usually has fingerprints, cooking grease film, and dust rather than the mineral deposits found outside. A lighter application of cleaner is typically enough. Wipe the edges and corners with a dry microfiber cloth where the squeegee cannot reach.
Inspecting and Repairing Window Screens
Even small holes in window screens let mosquitoes and other insects inside. Before installing screens for the season, inspect each one carefully and make repairs while they are easy to access.
Screen Inspection and Repair Steps
- Hold each screen up to the light: Small holes and thin spots in the mesh become visible when you hold the screen up to a bright window or take it outside. Mark any damage with a small piece of tape so you can find it again when you sit down to make repairs.
- Patch small holes with adhesive patches: For holes under two inches in diameter, self-adhesive screen patches are the quickest fix. Clean the area around the hole, peel and stick the patch over the damaged spot, and press firmly. These patches are nearly invisible from a few feet away and hold up well through the season.
- Re-screen larger damage: If the hole is larger than two inches or the mesh is sagging, you may need to replace the screen mesh entirely. Remove the spline (the rubber cord that holds the mesh in the frame), lay new screen material over the frame, and press new spline into the channel using a spline roller tool. Trim the excess mesh with a utility knife.
- Check the frame itself: Bent aluminum frames can often be straightened by hand. Cracked or broken corners can be repaired with inexpensive corner connectors from the hardware store. If the frame is severely damaged, bring it to a hardware store for a replacement frame cut to size.
Cleaning Screens Before Installation
Dirty screens block airflow and transfer grime to your clean windows every time it rains. A quick wash before installation keeps your windows looking clean longer.
Wash with soapy water and a soft brush
Lean screens against a wall or lay them flat on a clean surface. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Use a soft-bristle brush (a car wash brush works well) to gently scrub both sides of the mesh. Work in sections and avoid pressing too hard, which can stretch or dent the screen material.
Rinse and dry thoroughly
Rinse each screen with a gentle spray from a garden hose. Shake off excess water and lean the screens against a wall in the sun to air dry completely before installing them. Installing wet screens can leave water marks on your freshly cleaned windows.
Cleaning Window Tracks and Installing Screens
Window tracks accumulate dirt, dead insects, and debris over the winter. Clean tracks help windows open and close smoothly and create a better seal when closed.
- Vacuum loose debris first: Use the crevice attachment on your vacuum to remove loose dirt, dead insects, and dust from the track channels. This initial pass prevents turning dry debris into mud when you add cleaning solution.
- Scrub with an old toothbrush: Dip an old toothbrush in warm soapy water and scrub the track corners and grooves where grime builds up. For stubborn buildup, spray undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for five minutes before scrubbing.
- Wipe dry and lubricate: Wipe the tracks clean with a dry cloth or paper towel. Once dry, apply a light coat of silicone spray to the tracks. This helps windows slide smoothly and prevents future dirt from sticking. Avoid using WD-40 or oil-based lubricants, which attract dust.
- Install screens securely: With clean tracks and dry screens, install each screen into its window frame. Ensure the spring clips, pins, or friction tabs engage fully. Give each screen a gentle push to confirm it sits flush and does not rattle or bow outward.
Pro Tips
- •Clean on a cloudy day: Overcast skies are ideal for window cleaning because the solution stays wet longer, giving you time to squeegee without streaks. Direct sunlight causes the cleaning solution to evaporate before you can wipe it, leaving a hazy film.
- •Use newspaper for a final polish: After squeegeeing, buff any remaining haze with crumpled newspaper. The ink acts as a mild abrasive that leaves glass sparkling. This old-fashioned trick works better than most lint-free cloths.
- •Label your screens: If your windows are different sizes, use a small piece of painter's tape on each screen frame and write the room name or window location. This saves significant time when installing screens across the house and ensures each screen fits its window perfectly.
- •Check weatherstripping while you're at it: With screens removed and windows open, inspect the weatherstripping around each window frame. Cracked, compressed, or missing weatherstripping lets conditioned air escape and should be replaced before summer cooling season begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best homemade window cleaning solution?
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. For heavily soiled windows, add a teaspoon of dish soap per quart of solution. This mixture cuts through grime and dries streak-free when used with a squeegee or lint-free cloth. Avoid cleaning windows in direct sunlight, which causes the solution to dry too quickly and leave streaks.
How do I know if a window screen needs to be replaced or can be repaired?
Screens with small holes under two inches can be repaired with a patch kit for a few dollars. If the screen has multiple holes, significant sagging, a bent or broken frame, or if the mesh has become brittle and crumbles when touched, replacement is the better option. A new screen typically costs $15 to $40 depending on size and can be custom-cut at most hardware stores.
Should I clean windows before or after installing screens?
Always clean windows before installing screens. Screens block access to the exterior glass surface and make it difficult to get a streak-free finish. Clean the exterior side of the glass first, then clean the interior side, and finally install the screens once both sides are dry. This also gives you a chance to clean the window tracks before the screens go back in.
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