How to Clean Spider Webs From Screens
Maintaining your home involves keeping the inside and outside clean. And while spider webs can be found all throughout the house, they can also develop on the exterior.
In this article you will learn how to clean spider webs from screens and prevent them from returning in the future.
Are Spider Webs Bad?
Chances are you’ve seen a lot of spider webs in your travels. But are spider webs bad? The good news is that spider webs have no negative impact on human health, but they can be ugly to look at.
The only argument against spider webs is that if there is a large quantity, it may create a fire hazard. This would be a rare sight to see and it would take years for a build-up in this amount to occur.
So unless you are extremely fearful of spiders, there’s really nothing to worry about. They tend to develop in the corners of windows and on screens. Let’s take a look at how you can resolve this problem.
How to Clean Spider Webs From Screens
Learning how to clean spider webs from screens is half the battle. Knowing how to prevent them from developing in the future will save you more time in the long run.
1. Assess the Screens
One of the first things you should do before any project is to assess the area. You will quickly notice that some windows will have more spider webs than others.
Screens with large amounts of spider webs should be dealt with after the cleaning process (more on this below). There may be a reason why these locations are prone to more build-up.
You should also take this time to gather all of your supplies. You will need a spider web duster, ladder, a pressure washer, and some kind of spider web eliminator spray.
2. Use a Spider Web Duster
One of the easiest ways to deal with this common household problem is to buy a spider web duster. This tool works like a standard duster, only it’s made for outdoor environments.
The great thing about a spider web duster is that it can reach anywhere from 6-10 feet. This will be very helpful if your home has larger windows, or if you need to remove spider webs from a second story location.
The stainless steel handle makes it sturdy and light enough to maneuver around tight areas. While the brush easily picks up any spider webs on the glass surface.
3. Begin with the Edges
The main location where spider webs tend to develop are the screen edges. Begin by using the duster on this area and go up, across, and back down to pick up all of the webs.
You will need to repeat this process a few times, as the spider webs won’t come off during the first pass through. For large amounts of webs you will also need to remove them during cleaning.
The spider webs will get stuck in the brush and you can take them off with your hand. This can get messy, so make sure to have a trash bag nearby so you can dispose of the webs.
4. Spray the Screen
Once the edges have been fully cleaned, you can move on to the screens themselves. Begin by using a pressure washer (or regular garden hose). A pressure washer is ideal, because you can better control the spray pattern.
A 40-degree nozzle will be the best attachment to use on screens. It will deliver enough cleaning power, but it will also be safe to use on the delicate material.
Stand a few feet away from the screens and spray the area from top to bottom. This will remove all of the spider webs and anything else from the surface. Continue this step until the screens are fully clean.
5. Try Spider Web Eliminator
Once all of the spider webs have been removed, you will want to keep them from returning in the future. A spider web eliminator spray is the best method to keep your screens clean.
This step is optional, as some people do not want to use chemicals on the exterior of their home. This spray only works once you have successfully removed spider webs from the screens.
All you need to do is spray the product generously on areas where spider webs tend to form. It’s ideal to use around screens, porch lights, and any other places where spiders make webs.
Spider Webs Between Screen and Window
One of the more common problems to have is a build-up of spider webs between the screen and window. This can be a more challenging place to clean, because you won’t have the option of using water.
When the screens are on the exterior of a house, the window made out of glass will act as a shield. This will prevent any potential water from entering the house. But occasionally the screen can be on the inside.
If this is the case, follow the same method above where you use a spider web duster. Once most of the spider webs are gone, you can finish up by vacuuming the screens.
This will remove anything left over in between the small sections of the screen. As good as a spider web duster can be, you will end up pushing small amounts of webs into these holes.
Final Thoughts
By now you should know how to clean spider webs from screens. Even though this is a very common household issue to deal with, it can be solved in just a few easy steps.
The most important thing is having the right tools needed for the job. A spider web duster and pressure washer will be more than enough power to get those screens looking new again.
And don’t forget to apply a spider web eliminator when you’re done. Restoring your screens to their original state is just the first step. You want to prevent spider webs from coming back in the future with a high quality eliminator product.
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