Home is the place where you’re the most comfortable. Your home should be your haven, sanctum, place of rest, respite and relaxation. It’s where you can kick off your shoes, put your feet up, flick on a streaming show and unwind after a long day. Somewhere to eat, drink and share laughter with friends and family. A place to raise kids if that’s your goal in life. Or a place to engage in your hobbies and interests.
And part of having a home is that you need to maintain it, especially if you’re a homeowner. It means painting, patching walls, fixing cupboards, and performing regular maintenance to keep your home in ship shape. Sure, you can hire someone to do these tasks for you, but you can save money if you learn basic DIY skills. And one element of your home worth learning how to maintain is your doors. In this helpful article, you’ll learn how to clean and maintain your flyscreen doors, keeping them performing well over their lifespan. Read on to discover more.
Why Do I Need to Clean and Maintain My Flyscreen Doors?
Well, good question. There are a few reasons. For one, the screen door mesh works like a giant air filter, filtering airborne contaminants such as dirt, dust and debris. Over time this will build into a layer of grime that you should clean to keep your door in good shape. Dirt and salt will land and crystallise on the screen door if you live by the seaside. It will immediately start to degrade the protective powder coating on the flywire. By cleaning your door regularly, you’ll prolong its lifespan by removing this gunk.
Furthermore, all moving parts of your house, such as doors and windows, require regular maintenance to extend their lifespan. If you neglect items around the house, they will age faster and become worn out with wear and tear, requiring replacement. Cleaning and maintaining your flyscreen door will save you money and a headache.
How Often Should I Clean a Flyscreen Door?
Another great question! The frequency of your cleaning regime will vary depending on where you live. For instance, if you live in a rural location with lots of dust, you may need to clean it every three months. However, if you live in an urban environment with lots of smog and other pollutants, you may want to clean it every two months. If you live in a harsh environment such as a coastline or tropical area, every two weeks to one month is the right amount.
How to Clean Your Flyscreen Door
The first step is to give the flyscreen door a thorough hosing down. You can either take the door off its hinges or shut the main door so you don’t flood your front room. You can use a standard hose or a pressure washer if you’ve got one. If you use a pressure washer, stand well back so you don’t strip the paint or protective coating off the door.
The next step is to wash the flyscreen door. Use a soft or microfibre cloth, regular car wash liquid, and wax. Use some elbow grease and scrub it well, ensuring you get into all the nooks and crannies.
Finally, get the hose again and rinse all the car wash liquid suds and the wax off. You can let it air dry or dry it by hand with a tea towel.
Do’s and Don’ts For Cleaning Your Flyscreen Door
Here are some do’s and don’ts for cleaning your screen door.
DO:
- Pay attention to the warranty terms and conditions, as you could void your warranty if you don’t follow these
- Register your warranty when your door is installed to ensure you’re protected
DONT:
- Use vinegar, acidic or lemon, or any harsh chemicals, such as cream cleansers, dish-washing liquid or turpentine or methylated spirits, to clean your screens, as it will damage the powder-coating and potentially void your warranty
- Use a vacuum cleaner, broom, hand brush, or any other harsh or stiff brush to clean your screen door, as it may scratch the powder-coating or remove the protective layer
- Use tank water, bore water or recycled water as it will leave more contaminants on the screen as these types of water are impure. Typically bore water has high iron levels, leaving ugly brown staining on the screen after you’ve washed it.
How to Maintain the Lock
Part of flyscreen maintenance is also looking after the lock. If you neglect this, the lock may seize over time or jam up. You should spray a silicone-based lubricant in the keyhole to keep it functioning well.
A Flyscreen Summary
This helpful article has shared how to clean and maintain your flyscreen doors. Follow these tips to keep your screen doors in excellent condition and ensure they work well for years.
Need A New Screen Door?
If your flyscreen door is at the end of its lifespan, contact Clearshield Victoria. We provide all types of screen doors, from sliding flyscreen doors to regular hinged doors. We can come out for a free measure and quote, and should you choose us we guarantee our workmanship and quality doors. Contact us today to see how we can assist you with your new flyscreen door.
