How to Clean Security Screens: Maintenance & Cleaning Tips

Learn how to maintain & clean security screens, locks, hinges and rollers.

Chaplin Screens products are of high quality and are extremely durable and weather resistant. But like all fixtures around the home, some maintenance is required to preserve the original appearance of your newly purchased product. Keep reading to learn how to clean security screens & grilles and stainless steel security screens.

Your Maintenance & Cleaning Checklist for Screen Care

How to clean security doors and hinges.

Locks Hinges and Rollers

Key cylinders should be lubricated annually, or when there are signs of roughness when you insert or retract the key. Remove any dirt, grime and salt deposits on and around the end of the cylinder barrel, and spray with a small amount of silicone spray.  Insert the key into the lock barrel a couple of times to obtain a smooth turning action.

Do not under any circumstance use WD40 on your tracks, wheels or locks. This is oil based and will attract dirt and small particles of the environment to clog the moving parts. A silicone spray is recommended as this will repel debris from the moving parts.

Security door and window screens trap dust and dirt over time, becoming unsightly and inhibiting airflow. While it’s easier to remove the fly screens before cleaning them, Security Screens are secured into the frames and have to stay in place, so cannot be removed for cleaning. However, it is possible to thoroughly clean your Security Screens using the instructions below. Don’t allow dirt or other contaminants to build up over a period of time on the surface, as these will discolour and impair the surface. Some change in colour, gloss or chalking may be expected dependent on climate and sun exposure.

clean security screens grilles

Maintenance and Cleaning of Your Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

Step 1: Cleaning your screens whilst they are attached to the window can be messy, so prepare yourself with an old towel or a drop sheet to protect your flooring before you start.

Step 2: Dust the screen on both sides, using a dry rag to remove any loose debris; alternatively they can be lightly vacuumed with a soft brush attachment, avoiding any abrasive tools. Once the loose dust has been removed, close the glass windows and doors, to prevent any water entering the interior of the house, and wash the screens from the outside.

Step 3: Fill a bucket with warm water and add a small amount car wash, as it is very mild on the powder coated surface, as it is on the cars paintwork. If the screens are really dirty or appear greasy and need to be deep cleaned, spray with a solution of household surface cleaner, or degreaser, to dissolve some of the grime, while also protecting the screen from any aggressive rubbing.

Step 4: Dip a cloth in the prepared cleaning solution and wring it out well. Use a lint-free cloth such as a microfiber or cotton cloth, so that any lint does not get trapped in the fly screen mesh holes. Ensure that the cleaning solution does not penetrate into the lock or cylinder.

Step 5: Wipe down the screen with the cloth and cleaning solution. Rinse and wring out the cloth frequently to remove dirt and dust from the cloth.

Step 6: Use a clean cloth and dampen with plain water and wring it out well. Wipe down the window screen several times to remove any cleaning solution residue. Again, rinse the cloth frequently. Allow the window screens to air dry.

Maintenance and Cleaning of Stainless-Steel Doors and Windows

Stainless Steel is not completely stain free, but stains less, compared to ordinary carbon steel. Tea staining is a natural process that may happen to stainless steel products if not cleaned regularly pursuant to instructions. Chaplin Screens warranty therefore does not cover tea staining of Stainless-Steel products.

Do not under any circumstances use any abrasive type cleaning agent (Ajax or similar) or cleaning material (such as steel wool) as these will permanently damage the product surface. Always thoroughly wash off any residue of detergent with clean water.

As a general rule you should clean the frame surface every six months from the outside of the house.

Wheels and tracks security door maintenance

Step 1: Carefully remove any loose deposits with a vacuum or a wet sponge.

Step 2: Use a soft (non-abrasive) brush or cloth to remove dust, salt and other deposits. A soft clean household broom will also give an excellent result for those high windows out of reach.

Step 3: Mix up a solution of ScreenGuard Powawash or car wash, in a bucket to wash down the screens. Avoid using harsh detergents as these could be harmful to the powder coated surface. Any detergent that recommends the use of gloves is likely to damage the powder coating. The damage may not be visible immediately and could take up to twelve months to appear.

Step 4: Rinse off with clean fresh water.

How to cleaning security screen doors and windows

Security Door Maintenance Tips

After cleaning the door it’s a good idea to perform some routine maintenance.

  • Check and ensure rollers are on tracks (if a sliding door)
  • Check your tracks are clean and debris free
  • Lubricate locks and hinges and tracks using a silicone spray
  • Check all screws and rivets are secure