Lanais serve as an outdoor extension of a home’s living space. Having an inviting and functional area outdoors allows homeowners to relax, enjoy, and spend quality time with their loved ones year-round without worrying about privacy, bugs, insects, weather, and other external elements. Lanais are especially useful during summers when people love to spend maximum time outside.
Since lanais are outdoor installations, they are more exposed to dust and harsh weather conditions, making it hard to keep them clean. They require regular cleaning and maintenance to eliminate unsightly stains, mold, dirt, grime, and pollen accumulation and offer clear and better outdoor views. Knowing how to properly clean and care for lanais keeps them sparkling and ensures a longer frame and screen life.
There are two ways to clean a lanai or screened-in enclosure—by hand or with a power washer.
Cleaning a lanai by hand
Before washing, take an outdoor broom to sweep away leaves and other debris. Use a duster to dust ceiling fans, bulbs, frames, and window sills. If there are any cobwebs, remove them first, and use natural pest repellents to keep pests and insects at bay. Wipe down all the wipeable surfaces and objects using a damp cloth. Remove all the furniture from the floor to prevent them from getting wet or develop rust. If you have a blower, use it to clean the roof.
Choose a sunny day to clean a lanai to reduce the drying time. You will need a soft-bristled brush, a bucket of warm, soapy water, and a garden hose to clean the lanai. Avoid harsh chemicals - mild soap or detergent works best.
For the screens and floors, use a garden hose to soak them and scrub gently with the brush dipped in the soapy water. It will remove the fingerprints, weathering, and other stains. Rinse thoroughly with the garden hose. Allow the lanai to dry completely to avoid drip marks. Adopt other cleaning methods if cleaning by hand still leaves some areas dirty.
Pressure washer cleaning
Pressure washing is an excellent and convenient method for cleaning stubborn stains and hard-to-reach areas, including cracks and crevices, and keeping the exterior of the lanais clean and flawless. You can rent a power washer from the hardware store if you don’t own one. Use it at the lowest setting, as blasting the lanai screen at high pressure may damage it. Blast the screen with hot water to eliminate dirt and grime, followed by air drying.
If still there are mold and algae stains left after scrubbing and power washing, use some other cleaning solutions to remove them. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent. Mix hot water and vinegar in equal parts in a spray bottle and scrub the stained spots, followed by a rinse with a garden hose. Be mindful of nearby plants as the vinegar may harm them.
Another efficient cleaning option is to use bleach. Mix one part of bleach with three parts water. Wear protective gloves and clean the area while keeping it well-ventilated.
Contact a full-service screen company for more cleaning tips or install and replace the screen enclosures.
Lanai Guy is a full-service screen company servicing Brandon, Riverview and the surrounding area for screen enclosures, lanais, rescreen and screen repair. Call 813-461-6159 to schedule an appointment!
