Asked on May 01, 2015

What's the best way to clean pollen off screens?

Nmmilan
by Nmmilan

We live in Florida and have a screened-in pool. In the spring, our screens get covered with pollen. You can't see it when you look at the screens straight on, but at an angle....YUCK! Last year, I paid someone to clean them and they just sprayed bleach all over them. As a result, my hedges, which are just outside the screen ended up covered in brown spots from where the bleach hit them. Does anyone know of another, better way to clean the window screen get the stubborn pollen off? Thanks!

  9 answers
  • Therese Hopwood Therese Hopwood on May 01, 2015
    I'd just try and pressure wash them. No need for chemicles
  • Lesley Lesley on May 02, 2015
    I give them a good sweeping first which gets a lot off, then pressure wash carefully so as not to damage the screen.
  • Pat Kelly Pat Kelly on May 02, 2015
    How about vacuuming them w/ the brush attachment.
  • S. Roy S. Roy on May 02, 2015
    I also live in Florida and have the same problem with our screened porch. I first washed it down from the inside and while it was still wet, brushed it down with a broom. I then sprayed it with a cleaner called totally awesome,which I diluted with water. You can get it from Dollar General. After it sat for a few minutes I again used a broom to "scrub" the screen followed by another spray from the hose. After it dried it was nice and clean, free of pollen. It sounds like a lot of work, but really didn't take long. Just be prepared to get wet!
  • Nmmilan Nmmilan on May 02, 2015
    Thank you so much, everyone! Now I have a few good ideas to try.
  • Bubbapanunu Bubbapanunu on Aug 25, 2016
    Wipe them down with a dryer sheet. Repeat if sheet gets really dirty.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Dec 28, 2016

    I hand brush mine while using a fan blowing out.

  • Lynn in Tallahassee Lynn in Tallahassee on Apr 16, 2019

    Thanks for all the ideas!

  • James James on Jul 04, 2019

    I'm guessing no one read that it's the screened pool enclosure, that is pretty darned big, with a lot of the work being done on a ladder. The pine pollen in NW Florida is has a sap content in it, that's why it is hard to remove. I have been over mine with the pressure washer twice now and I can still see some left behind. My friend is Manager at Lowes and he recommends trying 30 second cleaner applied with a pump sprayer so it can sit in the screen slots longer. Its 7.95 for the concentrated gallon and you mix 1to1 So, I am going to try this and post the results. Ty everyone for your recommendations.

    • Jack C Jack C on May 10, 2022

      Did your Lowes solution with 30 second cleaner work?