How to Care & Clean For Motorized Screens

Motorized screens truly are the unsung hero of an outdoor living space. At the touch a button - a full window or patio enclosure disappears into overhead housing; no wrestling with panels, no visible hardware, no compromise on the view. It's automated architecture that works as beautifully as it looks.

But that same engineering raises a fair question: if you can't remove the screen, how do you keep it clean? Keep reading to learn how to care for your motorized or retractable screens so they stay clear, smooth, and reliable for years.

Anatomy of a Motorized Screen

Motorized screens are retractable mesh surfaces, typically vertical, that let air and light through while filtering out everything else. They are typically installed at windows, doorways, porches, and patios, and serve several jobs:

• Blocking UV rays (solar screens)

• Keeping insects & debris out

• Blocking harsh winds or rain

• Adding flexible privacy

How to Clean Your Motorized Screens

You do not need to remove the screen from its housing or tracks to clean it. Choose a time when conditions are calm and the mesh can dry fully before you raise it.

Here's the process step by step:

1. Fully lower the screen | Let it reach its bottom limit before you begin.

2. Rinse away loose buildup | Use plain water from a garden hose, working from the top down to remove dust and pollen. Never use a pressure washer on the mesh or motor housing.

3. Wash gently when needed | For a more thorough cleaning, use a soft brush, mild dish soap, and water. Work gently without pushing the fabric out of its tracks.

4. Rinse thoroughly | Remove the soap with clean water.

5. Let the mesh air-dry completely | Keep the screen lowered until it is fully dry, then raise it into its housing.

Cleaning and Caring for the Track

Clean tracks are just as important as clean mesh. As part of your monthly in-season routine, brush leaves, sand, and other debris out of the screen tracks and sill.

Twice a year, wipe the accessible aluminum housing and bottom bar with mild soap and water. The powder-coated finish does not need abrasive scrubbing or additional treatments.

After cleaning, once the screen is dry, run it through a full cycle and listen for anything unusual. New grinding, clicking, or hesitation is a reason to call Coastal Canvas, not to force the screen through another cycle.

If the fabric comes out of its track during normal use, do not try to push or pull it back into place. Follow your owner’s guide and contact our team for assistance.

How Often Should You Clean Motorized Screens?

Rather than waiting for one annual cleaning, follow a simple seasonal routine. Coastal Canvas’s owner’s guide recommends:

• Every few weeks in spring and summer | Hose off accumulated pollen and dust.

• Monthly during the season | Rinse the mesh from top to bottom, let it dry fully, clear the tracks and sill, and check operation through one full cycle.

• Twice a year | Give the mesh a gentle soap-and-water cleaning, wipe the housing and bottom bar, and visually check mounting hardware and the sealant along the housing.

• Once a year | Replace the remote battery, even if it is still working.

If mounting hardware looks loose or sealant appears damaged, call our team. Do not tighten hardware, adjust travel limits, repair controls, or open the housing yourself.

Protecting Your Screens Before Storms

The retractable screens covered in our owner’s guide are designed for everyday shade, insect protection, and privacy, not storm protection. Raise them before leaving home, before rain, and when wind picks up rather than waiting for severe weather.

When a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued, raise every screen fully into its housing. Disable any timers or automated settings that could lower the screens while you’re away.

After the storm, inspect each screen before operating it. If anything is bent, out of track, or hanging loose, leave it alone and call Coastal Canvas.

If power is already out, do not try to move a screen by hand. Leave it in place and stay clear.

Still Have Questions?

If your screen no longer looks, sounds, or moves as it should, our team can help you determine the next step. Have your job number ready when you call, along with a photo or short video of the issue if possible.

For a little extra peace of mind, Coastal Canvas also offers a yearly inspection and cleaning service for motorized screens. Call (912) 236-2416 with care questions or to schedule service. If you’re considering new screens for your outdoor space, ask our team about a free estimate.