SUNDAY MAY 12 2024 1D FACEBOOK.COM/TRICITYHERALD1 TWITTER.COM/TRICITYHERALD TRICITYHERALD.COM They may be clutch for letting air inside while keeping bugs out, but when window screens get dirty, they can make your whole home look and feel dingy. Here, collected the top expert tricks for how to clean window screens whether looking for a quick-and-easy method or a real deep clean. Screens take the brunt of both indoor and outdoor airborne particles air passing through deposits every- thing from dirt and dust to pollen, cobwebs, fur, hair and even mold and fungus. And because screens are basically made up of thousands of tiny corners and crevices, grime has a lot of tough-to-clean sur- face area to cling to. screens really do pose a unique cleaning says professional house cleaner Eliana Coca of Echo House Cleaning in Massachusetts.
act as traps for all sorts of outdoor pollutants and come with a risk of damage during cleaning, which further compli- cates the Luckily, the methods below are safe for all screen types and easy enough for anyone to do at home. HOW TO CLEAN FROM INSIDE This method works great for cleaning screens from inside your house, as well as any you can reach from the outside, but may leave the exterior-facing side of your upper floor- screens with some dirt. (You might have to con- sider removing those for a thorough clean!) First, want to start by taking out your vacuum. the brush attachment and swipe it over the screen from the top down to remove most of the larger parti- cles, debris and cob- suggests Katie Barton, head of cleaning for Homedit.com. works better than wiping the screens to start be- cause it prevents a lot of that collected dirt from being sent airborne and into the rest of your Next, grab a couple buckets and set up your cleaning solution.
one bucket with warm water and add five to six drops of liquid dish says Coca. a micro- fiber cloth and use it to apply the soap mixture to the screen wring it out so just damp, not soaking wet. This avoids water damage to the sill and minimizes the risk of screen damage while ef- fectively removing surface The other bucket can contain just plain warm water: Use a second clean- ing cloth dampened in the water to wipe the screen down after cleaning with the soapy cloth to remove any suds and remaining dirt. And done! FOR REMOVABLE SCREENS You can use the same cleaning solution as above, but add a cup of white vinegar to the mix the mild acids in the vine- gar help break down stuck-on dirt and grime and even work some mild antibacterial and anti- fungal magic. Many removable screens will just pop out from the inside.
After removing the screens, experts recom- mend either working out- side on a clean, flat surface like a deck, patio or drive- way, or cleaning the screens one at a time by placing them flat in your bathtub. the cleaning mixture using a damp microfiber cloth, then let it sit for 15 minutes, so the vinegar can work to break down the says pro- fessional cleaner Coty Williams, founder of Maids in Eden in Chicago. take a soft-bristle brush and gently scrub both sides of the screen until all visible dirt has been removed. If working outside, you can rinse them off using your hose; in your tub, use your shower Let the screen dry com- pletely before placing back in the window. Also, if you own a pres- sure washer, that can be a viable way to both deeply and quickly clean your screens.
FOR A FAST CLEANING While this get rid of stubborn stuck-on dirt and grime and a replacement for a real cleaning, in a pinch you can always try one of these methods: can of compressed air the kinds they sell to clean electronic equip- ment can blow away loose dirt and debris from the screen in suggests Sabrina Tretya- kova, an ISSA-certified cleaning expert with For- tador. open the window, aim the can outside and move it back and forth, starting from the top down. You also only want to use this method from the inside facing out, otherwise be blowing a bunch of dust into your Another option is to use a lint roller: simply swipe it over the screen and it will pick up a good amount of surface dirt. AVOIDING Most window screens are made from nylon, but some people still stick with old-school aluminum ones due to their in- creased durability. And while they do last longer than their nylon cousins, aluminum screens have one major downside: They oxidize.
know this has happened if you see your screens devel- oping a white powdery substance on them and if you leave them that way for too long, that oxidation can transfer onto the glass on your windows. is key says Alex Varela, general manager at Dallas Maids. if you allow screens to oxi- dize, the only real way to remove it is through the use of strong chemicals and that should only be done by a To avoid the issue in the first place, simply remove your screens during cold-weather sea- sons, since winter weath- er speeds up the oxidation process. Before putting them away, wipe them down with either pure white vinegar or ammonia and let dry; then repeat before hanging them back up in the spring. SASIRIN PAMAI photography Cleaning screens with warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap.
Then, use a second cleaning cloth dampened in just water to remove any suds and remaining dirt. How to clean window screens with or without removing them BY LINDSAY BOSSLETT In World Creating a great man cave takes some planning. There are some things you definitely forget like the biggest TV your space can handle but there are also things you want to remember like a pool table or kegorator. Sharon McCormick, of Sharon McCormick De- signs, gave some tips on how to design a perfect space to watch the game. One of the first things beside the TV you want to think about is seating.
How many people do you wish to seat comfortably in the room? If a base- ment, you may have room for multiple couches or chairs. If a smaller room, maybe a sectional would do the trick. in comfortable seating like recliners or a large sectional sofa that will fit all of your fellow basketball McCor- mick said. your back with team pillows for even more comfort. Bean bag chairs or floor pillows accommodate the younger spectators.
An upholstered ottoman serves double- duty put your feet up or serve snacks on a Besides a perfect high resolution TV, you want to consider the entire enter- tainment system. You will probably want to equip the room with a surround sound system, soundbar or a full-fledged home thea- ter system, especially since want to hear the action. Want the room not to feel like your average space? masculine touches to the space with sports memorabilia and other decor that reflects your interests and McCormick suggested. a lighted display case if you have a large collec- tion. Frame jerseys, caps, autographs, team coins and ticket stubs.
Shadow boxes of helmets and balls placed on lighted floating shelves will wow your Another aspect of the room want to con- sider is lighting. plays an im- portant role in setting the mood of your man cave. Install dimmer switches or smart lighting controls to adjust the brightness ac- cording to your prefer- ences. Adjustable pin lights will make your wall pop. Wall sconces and decorative ceiling lights add ambiance.
Theme table and floor lamps can add a touch of McCormick said. When it comes to drinks and snacks, want to be well-stocked and pre- pared. No one wants to miss the action because they were in the kitchen getting a fresh beer. Build a bar into the room, espe- cially with a kegorator. also want a mini- fridge or refrigerator drawers along with cabi- nets, dishwasher and a stone sink.
Some plush, upholstered bar stools will add extra seating to the room. If you have enough space, it can be great to add a few extra entertain- ment options. This can include a foosball table, pool table or dartboard. a great way to pass the time during commercials or before the game. Some tips for an epic man cave BY KAITLYN KEEGAN Hartford Courant Nothing quite makes a home distinctively your own like built-in storage and features.
Whether in- stalling bookshelves, a wall-mounted Murphy bed or full-on built-in furniture, you set your mark on your home with high-quality built- ins. The tradeoff here is that pretty hard to get rid of, so make sure you know what you want getting into it! a rundown of some of the most com- mon built-in options in the home. MURPHY BEDS Average cost: $7,500 a space-saving classic been around since the early 20th century. If seen enough old films or TV, probably familiar with the bed that simply folds up into the wall to save space. Generally speaking, a Murphy bed be your main bed, but a very effective way to save space and add function to a guest bedroom, or turn an office or craft room into a multifunctional space.
And if you live in a tiny home or studio apart- ment, they can add valua- ble square footage to your usable space. The downsides of Mur- phy beds include cost, safety and convenience. They tend to cost more than the average bed and often need to be installed by a professional, and a bed runs a risk of opening by accident and possibly causing damage. Likewise, they can pose a challenge to putting away smoothly. However, in recent years, Murphy beds made with advanced methods and lighter materials minimize this problem.
BUILT-IN KITCHEN CABINETS Average cost: $450 per linear foot Custom-built kitchen cabinets can help you maximize your space while providing storage to your exact specifications. This is particularly handy in oddly shaped kitchens, but built-in cabinets can make a great addition to any kitchen. The biggest downside of built-in cabi- nets is their cost; you pay much more for them than semi-custom or stock cabinets. However, a popular feature in many homes, and the additional storage can make them attractive to a buyer in the event you sell. Talk to local kitchen pros for insight.
BUILT-IN BOOKSHELVES Average cost: $100- $1,200 per linear foot Bookshelves remain among the most common built-in options, for a number of reasons. Shelves tend to go up against the wall anyway, and building them in makes them more stable and saves space. (It in- creases safety, too, by minimizing the risk of tip-over if a child tries to climb them.) In addition, built-in bookshelves create the chance for a truly unique project. You can install shelves in the sides of stairs, under or around reading nooks, right next to your bed or wherever is most convenient for you. BUILT-IN CUSTOM FURNITURE Cost: Varies by project To really place your own stamp on your home, you can install built-in furniture that saves space and adds a permanent feature to the home.
Reading nooks in win- dows are common, as are fixed breakfast nooks. Such furniture allows you to save room and custom- ize your space. However, keep in mind that this is a literal commitment of some note; you easily undo this furniture once installed, so be sure built what you want. The biggest downside: You take it with you when you go! Like it or not, that furniture stays with the house. Set your mark with built-in fixtures BY PAUL F.P.
POGUE Ask Angi DANNY RAUSTADT A reading nook offers many options for customization. Explore.
