You just had your windows cleaned, but the view still looks a little hazy and the light seems muted. Before you blame the glass, look at the screens. Window screens are dust magnets — and dirty screens quietly undo a lot of the benefit of clean windows. Here’s why window screen cleaning matters, how to do it yourself, and when it’s worth adding to a professional visit.

What dirty screens actually do

• Block light. A film of dust and pollen across the mesh noticeably dims the natural light coming into a room.
• Dull your view. You look through screens all day; a gray, grimy mesh makes even spotless glass look foggy.
• Re-dirty your glass. The next breeze or rain pushes all that trapped dust right back onto the windows you just cleaned.
• Hurt air quality. Open a window and outdoor air pulls through a screen loaded with pollen and dust — not ideal for allergy sufferers.

That’s why the best-looking windows are almost always cleaned with their screens, not around them.

How to clean window screens yourself

For a maintenance clean, it’s straightforward:

• Remove and label. Pop each screen out and mark which window it came from (a small piece of tape works) — screens are often subtly different sizes.
• Dry brush or vacuum both sides to lift loose dust.
• Wash gently with warm water and a little dish soap, using a soft brush — never a stiff bristle that can stretch or tear the mesh.
• Rinse and dry fully before reinstalling, so you don’t trap moisture or drips against the glass.

Do it on a mild day, and don’t reinstall damp screens onto freshly cleaned windows.

When to leave it to a pro

DIY works for a handful of ground-floor screens. It gets old fast with a whole house, second-story windows, or screens that have gone years without attention and are caked with baked-on grime. The most efficient option for most homeowners is simply to add screen cleaning to a window cleaning visit — screens come out, get cleaned properly, and go back in clean, so the entire window looks right in one appointment.

Local, insured, and thorough

Bishop Window Cleaning offers screen cleaning as a standalone service or as an add-on to your window cleaning, for homes across Cache Valley. We’re owner-operated, fully insured, and BBB-accredited, and every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Should I clean screens every time I clean my windows?
Not necessarily every time, but regularly — dirty screens are the most common reason clean windows still look hazy.

Can old or fragile screens be cleaned safely?
Yes, with care. We handle aging screens gently and will flag any that are torn or damaged so you can decide on replacement.

Is it cheaper as an add-on?
Combining screen cleaning with a window cleaning visit is the most efficient way to do it. Ask for a quote and we’ll lay out the options.