There are many benefits to replacing or repairing your window screens, from keeping pesky bugs out of your space to enhancing your home’s security. However, once the repair or replacement process is complete, you’re left with a pile of old window screens. You can throw them away, of course, but the more sustainable option is to upcycle them by using them to create something new. 

If you’re wondering what to do with your old window screens, keep reading to gain some inspiration with these seven DIY ideas.

#1. Enhance Scrubbing Power

Cut a small piece from your old window screen and wrap it around a sponge to enhance its scrubbing power. Dirty dishes, muddy footprints, and sticky spills will be no match for your DIY scrubber! Be careful, though — depending on the type of mesh, it might have sharp edges or broken strands that could scratch certain surfaces. 

You can also use screen scraps to clean dirt and paint from your hands. If you’ve ever completed a home improvement project, you know how stubborn paint can be once it dries on your skin. By gently rubbing the mesh over your hands, you can easily scrape away dried-on messes and get yourself clean. 

#2. Prevent Drain Clogs

If clogged drains tend to interrupt your daily routines, your old window screens may provide the solution you’ve been looking for. Cut a strip of the screen, then wad it into a ball and place it in your sink’s drain. Water will pass through the holes in the screen, but solid objects will be blocked, allowing you to easily remove and dispose of them properly. This is especially helpful for a utility sink that faces large amounts of debris from cooking, gardening, or construction.

The piece should be large enough to stay in place but small enough to be unobtrusive. To avoid forcing the screen down your pipes and into your plumbing system, you’ll want to remove it before pouring especially large amounts of water down the drain.

#3. Protect Your Seeds

If you’ve just planted seeds in your garden or on a bare patch of lawn, the last thing you want is to watch hungry birds make a meal out of your hard work. To prevent your newly planted seeds from becoming a hungry critter’s lunch, you can cover the planting area with your old window screens. Because window screens are mesh, they allow light and water to reach your precious seedlings while protecting them from your feathery friends. 

Use stakes or long nails to secure the screens to the ground, and once your plants begin to sprout, you can safely remove them. The best part about this gardening solution is that it’s reusable — just store your screens in your garage or shed until the next time you need them.

#4. Gardening Assistance

There are many additional ways to upcycle your old window screens by using them in your garden. If you’re worried about dirt washing out through the drain hole of your potted plants, a small piece of screen inside the bottom of the pot is a simple solution. 

No need for an expensive dehydrator to dry your fresh herbs — a window screen works just fine. If the mesh is still attached to the frame, simply suspend the screen between two buckets or cans, then place the herbs on top. If the mesh has been removed from the frame, just staple it onto an old wood picture frame after removing the glass and backing. The mesh screens allow air to circulate on all sides of the sprigs, helping them dry more quickly and effectively.

#5. Pest Control

Believe it or not, your old window screens can also be a simple pest control solution. Stuff some strips of screen into your home’s possible entry points, preventing bugs and critters from gaining access to your space.

#6. Sift and Strain

Old window screens can be an invaluable tool in your home improvement projects and renovations. Pieces of screen make great sieves, effectively sifting powdered grout and removing lumps. You can also use them to revive old paint — simply pour the paint through a piece of screen to filter out any debris.

#7. Creative Crafting

If your old window screens are still in good condition, you can use them to create unique decorations for your home. There are thousands of crafting ideas online, from hand-painted farmhouse signs to jewelry holders. Hook a collection of ornaments through the screen to create a festive display, or use it as a backing for a photo collage. The possibilities are truly endless!

Repair Your Old Window Screens With Jacob’s Ladder

Whether your aging window screens need new mesh, spline, pull tabs, or corners, the experts at Jacob’s Ladder have got you covered. We also provide window and gutter cleaning services, along with pressure washing and holiday lighting installation. Contact us today for an estimate!