Brio 612 retractable pleated screen
Store the screen when it is not in use, keep it out of direct sunlight and windy conditions, and clean the channels and mesh regularly.
Caring for Your Insect Screens
A few minutes each season keeps your screens running smoothly for years.
Start with the product
Brio, MagicSeal, Phantom retractable screens and Ziptrak blinds do not share one universal care instrument. Check your quote or handover pack, then use the product-specific summary below. If you are unsure what is installed, send us a photo before using cleaners or lubricants.
Routine cleaning
- Remove loose dust and cobwebs gently with a soft brush or cloth.
- Use fresh water and only the cleaner permitted for that product.
- Let mesh, fabric or clear PVC dry before it is stored or rolled away.
- Do not use a water blaster, harsh solvent or abrasive pad.
Tracks and cassette
- Remove grit before operating a stiff screen; forcing it can make a small issue worse.
- Wipe accessible tracks and surfaces gently, without dismantling the screen.
- Lubricant requirements differ. Use only the product-specific instruction below or contact us first.
Coastal and estuary homes
Near the coast, salt builds up faster. Clean exposed hardware and tracks with fresh water more often than at a sheltered home and do not leave deposits sitting on the finish. Industrial and geothermal exposure can also require more frequent care.
Outdoor blinds and clear PVC
Outdoor blinds need their own instructions. Keep the blind either in the safe operating position described for its system or fully retracted, and never store wet mesh or PVC rolled up. The Ziptrak-specific position, cleaning frequency and track-lubrication summary appears below. For Executive screens, follow the handover instructions or contact us.
Strong wind
Do not generalise one product’s wind guidance to another. Avoid leaving a screen or blind part-way through its travel in rising wind, and follow its product instructions. See our outdoor blinds and wind guide for practical planning advice; if severe weather is expected, contact us if you are not sure which safe position applies to your system.
Damage and repairs
Many screen faults are serviceable, but do not force, dismantle or re-lubricate a screen to test it. A photo or short video usually lets us identify the next step. See why a maintained screen can be a long-term fixture, not a throwaway.
If a Serene window screen ever jams and won’t retract, you can usually free it yourself in a few seconds - see fixing a jammed screen.
If something is torn or not running right, get in touch rather than forcing it - a quick repair from us keeps the screen running as it should.
Supplier-specific care
Care that differs by product
MagicSeal magnetic insect screen
Store the screen flat and away from direct heat and sunlight. Vacuum only while flat, or wash gently with lukewarm water and mild detergent.
Phantom Executive motorised screen
Monitor the screen while it moves, do not operate it in strong winds, keep the tracks clean, use only greaseless silicone where directed, and let wet mesh dry before retracting it.
Phantom retractable door and window screens
Retract the screen when it is not in use, keep the tracks clear, control spring-assisted retraction, and follow the product-specific lubrication instructions supplied at handover.
Ziptrak outdoor blind
Keep the blind fully down and locked or fully retracted in wind, never roll the material away wet, wash it regularly using the material manufacturer's instructions, and use only the approved silicone spray in the tracks when needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How often do insect screens need cleaning? +
Inspect and clean them when dust, pollen or salt begins to build up. Homes near the coast or in industrial and geothermal conditions normally need attention more often than sheltered homes.
How do I clean insect screen mesh? +
First identify the product and follow its handover instructions. For routine cleaning, work gently with a soft brush or cloth, fresh water and, where the product instructions allow it, mild detergent. Do not use abrasive tools or high-pressure water.
What lubricant should I use on the tracks? +
Do not assume every screen uses the same lubricant. Clean loose grit first and follow the product-specific instructions below. If you are unsure, contact Phantom Screens NZ before spraying anything into the tracks.
Can I use a water blaster on my screens or blinds? +
No. High-pressure water can stretch insect mesh and force water into the hardware. Fresh water from a hose or a damp cloth is all you need.
What extra care do coastal screens need? +
Salt deposits should not be left to build up. Clean exposed hardware and tracks with fresh water more often than you would at a sheltered home, using the frequency and products specified for your screen family.