A screen enclosure or pool cage should be cleaned with low-pressure soft washing, never a high-pressure blast. Screens tear and aluminum frames pit or lose their finish under pressure. The safe method applies a gentle cleaning solution that kills the algae, mildew, and mold coating the screens and frame, then rinses at low pressure, leaving the enclosure bright without damage.
Why does my pool cage get so dirty?
Florida pool cages sit in the perfect storm for growth: constant humidity, pool chemical mist, shade, and organic debris from surrounding plants. The result is a green or black film on the screens and streaking down the aluminum frame. Left alone, it dims the enclosure, stains the frame, and can shorten screen life.
Why not just pressure wash it?
High pressure is the fastest way to ruin an enclosure. It can:
- Tear or stretch the screen mesh, leading to costly re-screening.
- Blow out the spline that holds screens in their channels.
- Pit or strip the aluminum finish on the frame.
- Force water and debris into the pool and screws.
Because of this, professionals soft wash cages the same way we soft wash a pool deck and screens, using chemistry instead of force.
The safe cleaning method, step by step
- Clear the area. Remove or cover furniture and cushions; wet down nearby plants.
- Apply a low-pressure cleaning solution to the screens and frame.
- Let it dwell so it kills algae and mildew and loosens grime.
- Rinse gently at low pressure, screens and frame alike.
- Wipe or detail the frame if spot streaks remain.
The whole enclosure brightens without a single screen at risk.
Can I clean the pool cage myself?
Light maintenance helps: a soft brush and a mild, screen-safe cleaner on reachable panels, plus keeping debris off the screens. But full cleaning, especially high panels and the roof of the cage, is safer and more effective with a pro who has low-pressure equipment and can reach the top without damaging the mesh. Balancing on a ladder against a screen is a common way to tear it.
If a company suggests pressure washing your pool cage, ask them to leave. The screens and spline cannot take it.
How often should you clean a screen enclosure?
Most Treasure Coast pool cages benefit from a soft wash once or twice a year. Enclosures under heavy tree cover or near the coast in Vero Beach may need more frequent attention as algae returns faster. Regular cleaning keeps the screens clear, the frame corrosion-free, and the pool area inviting.
What about the pool deck inside the cage?
While the enclosure is being cleaned is the ideal time to address the pool deck too, since the same crew and setup handle both. Pool decks collect algae in their texture and around the waterline, and they can get dangerously slick. A low-pressure clean or gentle surface cleaning brightens the deck and removes the slip hazard without harming pavers or the pool finish. Bundling the deck with the cage cleaning is efficient and usually costs less than booking them separately, and it leaves the whole pool area looking new.
How do you keep a pool cage cleaner longer?
A few habits slow how fast the enclosure grows algae again:
- Keep leaves and debris off the screens and cage roof.
- Trim back vegetation touching or shading the enclosure.
- Rinse the screens occasionally with a hose to knock down early film.
- Address standing water nearby that raises humidity around the cage.
Combined with a professional soft wash once or twice a year, these keep the screens bright and the frame corrosion-free.
Will cleaning affect the pool water?
A careful soft wash of the cage is done to minimize anything entering the pool, and any small amount of diluted solution that reaches the water is negligible against your normal pool chemistry. Professionals still take sensible steps, working methodically and rinsing to keep debris out. If you are cautious, running the pool filter afterward and checking your chemistry is easy insurance. The bigger risk to your pool is actually the algae and debris raining down from a dirty, neglected cage, which regular cleaning prevents.
Want your pool cage bright again without the risk of torn screens? Call MainSail Pressure Washing at (772) 559-2666 for a free estimate. We soft wash enclosures, frames, and pool decks safely, seven days a week.
