What Can Make Your Patio Screen Dirty
We made mention of pollen as one of the chief agents of dirt. However, pollen isnt the only thing that you should be worried about. If pollens are left for a long period without cleaning, they can form molds or algae. Initially, these molds and algae will be too stubborn to clean off. But with the right tools and procedures, you can get them off.
How Often To Clean Your Patio Or Outdoor Surface
The frequency of cleaning will depend on how much mold, mildew, or moss there is and how often it comes back. Applications may need to be repeated for especially moldy areas. Other times, this could be done once a year for a spring cleaning every season. Remember, it will be worth the effort when guests come over and there will be no embarrassment from the unsightly mold.
Preventing Mold From Growing On Outdoor Surfaces
To keep mold from returning or to make your yard less mold-friendly, try the below:
Mow and rake your lawn regularly
Keep gutters clear to drain away from the house
Trim plants away from siding and trees from roof so sunlight can find its way to these surfaces and kill mold
Keep windows and siding caulked to prevent moisture from finding its way in
Keep shingles and flashing maintained
Promptly repair and seal leaky pipes and roofs
Do yearly roof inspections to catch any issues before they bloom into mold infestations
Clear leaves and debris from drainage areas around your home and yard
Store firewood away from the house
Use materials like treated lumber, stainless steel, galvanized fasteners, and stucco siding outdoors because they are commonly resistant to mildew
Clean and dry water damaged upholstered furniture
For initial small mold infiltrations, scrub surfaces with a mild detergent solution and then apply mixture of one-fourth cup bleach to one quart of water
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Cleaning Time Is The Best Time To Remove Pet Smudges
If you have a pet, chances are theyve left some nose streaks on your windows and sliding glass doors that youll need to clean. You may do this with hot water and paper towels and in many cases, no glass cleaner is necessary!
Simply clean the area with a damp paper towel and then dry it with a dry paper towel. If you prefer or detect streaks or glare after cleaning, you can use a regular glass cleaner.
Removing Mold With A Bleach Solution
Mold tends to grow on areas around the pool because of the moisture. It forms a green powder-like substance that spreads on the frame or material. Aside from being an eyesore, it can also affect people such as those with allergies or asthma.
Dont worry, its not impossible to remove, it just takes effort. Sometimes a good scrub or power-wash is not enough that you need to use another method. You can use chemicals such as bleach to remove mold on non-porous surfaces. Before you start, water nearby plants to protect them from this chemical.
Then youre ready. The first step is to mix warm water and liquid chlorine bleach in a bucket with a ratio of 3 to 1 . Make sure to wear rubber gloves when using bleach to avoid getting chemical burns since its hard on the skin. You can also add powder detergent to the bucket as well. Use a sponge or soft bristle brush to remove the affected areas with the solution. You can also use this to eradicate moss, mildew, and algae on your paver deck or patio.
Once the mold is gone, rinse the screens and frame with fresh water to remove remaining bleach or solution on it. Dont forget to water nearby plants again to avoid it from getting contaminated.
Note: When using this method, be warned that this chemical may discolor aluminum. Make sure to rinse thoroughly after using the bleach solution.
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Minimize/prevent Mold And Mildew From Growing On Your Deck
If your deck is located in a shady or wet location, chances are, there will be mold and mildew. Having this on your deck is never a good sign. A deck built too close to the ground can allow mold and mildew to multiply. However, it doesnt mean that you cannot get rid of mold and mildew. The best way to control mold and mildew is to clean your deck regularly. However, when you fail to do this, you can still find a solution to your problem. The appearance of mold and mildew should not be taken for granted before it can cause some serious deck problems. Follow the tips below to help you minimize the appearance of mold and mildew in your deck.
How To Clean Mold From A Wooden Ceiling
Cleaning mold to improve the condition of an unfinished wood surface.
If the mold is especially stubborn on unfinished wood, repeat by dampening the wood with a sponge. This time, take sandpaper to the surface to help clear the mold and cleanse down to the molds roots. Dampening the wood’s surface first helps prevent the spores from becoming airborne.
Allow the solution to dry once so it fully absorbs and kills off the mold at the root, rather than simply treating the surface. The once moldy boards will quickly be mitigated.
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How To Clean A Screened Porch In Five Steps:
This is how it looked when we bought the house. I did NOT empty it to clean it!
1. Prep
As with most projects, preparation is key. Heres what you need to do for the prep stage.
First, vacuum the rug. Did I do this? No, I didnt. But, in retrospect, it would have been a good thing to do before moving the rug off the porch.
Use a shop vac for this if you have one, just so you dont get your regular indoor vacuum polleny . If you dont have a shop vac, use your regular vacuum, but then make sure to clean it well after youre finished de-pollening . This vacuuming is not going to get the rug completely pollen-free in fact, far from it. But it will make it bearable to move!
As I said, I didnt do this. I tried to hose the rug down with the rest of the porch. DO NOT do that! Trust me. Hosing it down doesnt clean the rug the yellow, pollen-filled water just ended up pooling on the rug. And then I had to move the rug, which is MUCH heavier when wet!
Trust me. Give it a good vacuum and then roll it up and move it off the porch. Drape it over a fence or something else that can hold its weight. This is an easier task with two people if your rug is large.
Third, move all soft surfaces off the porch. This means moving pillows, cushions, and, yes, the rug. If you have a clean, non-polleny surface, you can go ahead and take the covers off the cushions and wash them. I didnt, so I just laid them on the walkway by the porch and did this later.
2. Hose
A clean screen is a happy screen!
Can You Power Wash A Screened
You can use a power washer to clean a screened-in porch, but you should be careful to not tear or punch holes in the screen. This can happen if you use too much pressure or put the nozzle too close to the screen. The good news is that pressure washers are powerful enough to dislodge all of the dust, dirt, and pollen from the screens.
If your washer has an adjustable nozzle , turn it to the least-pressurized setting. Stand as far away from the screen as possible — at least fifteen feet — and pay attention to the spray.
If there are dust and grime on the window sills, you might need to use a wet rag or vacuum cleaner.
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Treat The Molds On Screen
Check the screens for mold growth. Cover any plants beyond the screen before removing the mold because the solution may harm them. Make a solution to eliminate the mold by combining one part white vinegar and one part water. With a microfiber cloth, rub it into the moldy spot and wait a few minutes. Use your brush to scrub the mold away.
Clean Screens Monthly To Avoid Buildup
- Helpful0Not Helpful0
- Keep your screens in their frame while you clean them, even if theyre removable. It saves you the hassle of finding a clean space to put them down, plus theyll dry more quickly.As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card . Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Helpful0Not Helpful0
- Always use light pressure when spraying or scrubbing your screens to avoid accidentally putting a hole in them or knocking them out of their frames.As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card . Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
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Spruce Up Your Screen Porch With These Easy Tips For Removing Dirt Dust Pollen And Mold
Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
A screen porch lets you enjoy the fresh air and the soothing sounds of nature without the bugs, rain, and falling leaves that sometimes accompany being outdoors. Porch screens act as a filter to keep insects, pollen, and lawn debris out, but they also trap a lot of buildup over time. Keeping screens clean is key to getting the most enjoyment out of your enclosed porchand preventing caked-on grime or mold that can be difficult to remove.
What Is The Best Way To Clean A Pool Screen Enclosure
A solution of half vinegar and half warm water is the right concentration to take care of problem areas on your pool deck or screen enclosure. Using a sponge or scrub brush dipped in the vinegar solution, clean away visible mold, mildew or algae. If you like, you can skip the rinse and leave the solution to air dry.
Can I pressure wash my screened in porch?
You can use a pressure washer, but a garden hose with a jet spray nozzle will work just as well. Start with the screens, where most of the pollen will have collected. If theres a particularly dirty spot, you can wipe it off with a rag and some soap and then rinse it off with the hose.
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How To Prevent Mold On Your Porch
It is a lot easier to protect your porch from mold and mildew than to remove it. Check out these tips on keeping it clean and dry.
- Remove any items lying on your porch, including bins, tools, and other non-essentials.
- Limit as much shaded area as possible. This can include adjusting plants and moving furniture to allow as much of the suns heat to keep your porch dry.
- Get rid of mold and mildew food sources by sweeping off dirt and dust.
- Use household cleaners or soap and water to scrub down the porch every few weeks.
- Allow for proper drying time at the end of the day if you hose down the porch.
- If youre painting, use a fungicidal paint to create a barrier between moisture and the porch building materials.
- Dont hesitate to remove any mold as soon as you find it, using either, bleach, vinegar or a pressure washer.
- Inspect the porch frequently if there has been a lot of rain.
- Allow all patio furniture and other wet items to dry in the sun after rain.
Read On For Some Tips On Screen Enclosure Cleaning:
While screen enclosures do an excellent job of keeping bugs, critters and yard debris out of your outdoor living spaces, their exteriors dont repel pollen. Over time, pollen can accumulate on the structures surfaces, forming a film that makes your enclosure look worn or dirty. There is a way to fix this with a little elbow greese.
When cleaning a screened lanai or pool enclosures, you can:
Do it by handTo clean a screen enclosure and frame by hand, youll just need a bucket, some dish soap, a brush with soft bristles, your garden hose, and a little elbow grease. Use the brush to gently scrub the screens and frame with warm, sudsy water. Then, rinse them with your garden hose and allow them to air dry. If the patio enclosure is really grimy, you might need to repeat the process.
Use a power washerIf you are cleaning a pool enclosure, especially those hard to reach areas, use a power washer. Or, if you prefer to put a little more power in your porch, lanai or pool enclosure cleaning, you can bring in a power washer. The hot, pressurized water used in power washing is a great way to blast away grime, but you have to be careful about just how much power you use. Too much can damage the screens. Always start out on the lowest possible setting and proceed with caution.
If you find that the cleaning solution with vinegar doesnt quite work or you prefer to go straight to the hard stuff, bring out the bleach.
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How To Clean Mold From A Porch Ceiling
Mold is a common problem found inside and outside the house. Anywhere there are damp, dark, and humid areas, you are sure to find mold growing. Porch ceilings typically have some form of mold growth on them.
The mold growing on porch ceilings can leave unsightly stains, fill the air with a musty odor, and spread to other areas of your home. That is why it is important to remove the mold from the ceiling as soon as possible.
Do Porch Curtains Keep Out Pollen
Do porch curtains keep out pollen? It depends. If you spend time outside, you know the trouble that pollen can cause, but you also want your outdoor furniture to stay in good condition. Pollen is a nuisance, but its not hard to control. You can use plastic drapes, vinyl drapes, or painters drop cloths. These are easy to clean and can help keep your furniture and porch screens looking their best. Porch curtains can also help keep out pollen, especially if theyre mounted on steel rods.
The same can be true for cushions. Porch curtains should either touch the ground or hover a few inches above it. Outdoor curtains should be cleaned often, as pollen settles anywhere and can cause allergies. To prevent pollen from accumulating in your curtains, vacuum regularly. You can also try soaking them in a solution of two parts water and one part vinegar. You can also use a cotton towel to wipe off the accumulated pollen.
The size of the holes in porch curtains will determine the amount of pollen they block. Smaller holes mean fewer pollen particles, so a mesh curtain with eight hundred holes per square inch can keep out ninety percent of pollen. Porch curtains can be installed on two sides of a porch, but make sure to read the manufacturers guidelines before installing them. If your porch is located on a sunny side, you may want to install larger curtains. If you dont want to face the sun, opt for smaller ones.
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How To Prevent Mold
Although mold growth can be surprising and sudden, there are a few ways to help prevent it from developing within your home. Make sure to fix any leaks or broken pipes you may notice in your bathroom or kitchen. Use appliances that are water-resistant and can easily be cleaned. Having a home inspection on your home can help lay out any faulty piping or systems within your home that should be checked or fixed. This can minimize the chances of a flood or pipe burst occurring. Consistent cleaning of your home can also help reduce the chance of mold growth by clearing out air ducts and ridding surfaces of dirt or soil. One other way to keep your home clean and dry is to purchase a dehumidifier to clear moisture in the air, decreasing humidity. This is especially important in locations with higher humidity as mold build-up can increase and be more common. Preventing mold growth in your home can be beneficial to both your home and your health.
Foundations and basements can be painted with a special moisture block coating of paint, designed to block moisture and prevent mold and mildew from forming. There are also air quality specialist who can do a full assessment of the home and advise about which areas of the home are problematic.
