How to Clean a Pool Screen Enclosure

A pool screen enclosure can help keep insects and debris out of your pool or hot tub. However, if you do not perform some basic maintenance on it, the screen enclosure can look dirty and unsightly. Follow these simple tips to ensure your poolside enclosure is clean and in good working order.

Step 1 - Clear the Area

First clear the area of any plants, personal belongings and garden furniture to prevent them from getting wet. Take the opportunity to consider whether you need all of this stuff by the pool. Does it make the area look cluttered?

Step 2 - Inspect the Glass or Plastic for Cracks

Whether the pool enclosure is made of plastic or glass, check whether there are any cracks or holes in it. If there are, these areas will need special care and attention during the cleaning process. Any excess pressure could make the defect worse.

Step 3 - The Natural Solution

Next, brush the pool screen enclosure down with a regular brush to release loose leaves and other debris. For stains caused by dead insects, fingerprints, and the weather, mix up two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with two pints of warm water. Scrub this onto the pool screen enclosure with a scrubbing brush, making sure that the bristles are small and not stiff enough to damage the surface. Test a small area of the pool screen enclosure first. If the preparation is not powerful enough to remove the dirt on the screen, you may have to resort to chemicals.

Step 4 - Use Bleach

Bleach is most people’s first choice for getting rid of mold. A well-diluted solution is all you need for this job. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the container for the correct ratio of bleach to water. As with the bicarbonate of soda solution, be careful not to scrub too vigorously, as you could damage the surface of the pool screen enclosure. Next, rinse the screen with a hose. If your screen has aluminum frames, you may notice some discoloration caused by the bleach if you do not rinse the solution adequately.

Step 5 - Dry

Using a chamois cloth, dry the screen. Tempting as it may be to skip this step, if the pool screen enclosure is left to dry in the open air, the drips from the rinsing stage could run and form unsightly streaks.

Step 6 - Repair Defects

Most auto stores sell kits for repairing small cracks and holes on car windscreens. With children playing around pool screen enclosures, it is easy to see how small stones can fly up and cause minor chips. If you have any on your screen, apply the filler in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and allow it to dry thoroughly before you let anyone near the pool.