Everything You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Door

As part of their regular cleaning routine, most people vacuum the carpet, mop the kitchen, and wash the windows. But few people think about cleaning their doors.

Just like any other part of your house, your doors benefit from regular cleaning. Cleaning your door helps it stay sanitary and contributes to your home’s overall spotless appearance.

So how do you clean a door? The process is fairly simple, but it depends on the type of door.

Wood Doors

With wood doors, you want to protect the wood while removing dirt and stains. You don’t need a commercial cleaner; you can get a similar result by mixing 1 tsp baking soda, 4 cups hot water, and a squirt of dish soap. In fact, harsh cleaners can rub off the paint color.

Before you apply the solution, though, you should wipe dust off the door with a soft rag. Make sure to wipe the door’s frame as well.

Next, scrub the door with a sponge and with the gentle cleaner. Dry it off with a paper towel.

Finally, if your door is stained, you can wipe it down with furniture wax or polish. Always wipe the door in the direction of the grain so you don’t damage the wood.

Now, what about features like door knobs? If these features are made of brass, you can wipe them down with a commercial brass cleaner or a solution of 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. If they are not made of brass, you can clean them with your regular cleaning solution.

Metal Doors

Cleaning a metal door is similar to cleaning a wood door. As with wood doors, you need to clean metal doors carefully to avoid scratching them.

You can use a dish soap and water solution (1 tsp dish soap and 2 cups warm water). But if there are stains on the door, try cleaning the door with trisodium phosphate. Just spray the door and wipe it with a sponge or rag. Then rinse the door with water and dry it with a rag.

Glass Doors

Cleaning a glass door is a completely different ball game. Follow this process:

• Scrub the glass with a glass cleaner and a scrubbing sponge.
• Dry the top inch of glass. Using a squeegee, make strokes from the top of the door to the bottom.
• If you don’t have a squeegee, wipe the cleaner off in a circular motion.

If your door is a sliding glass door, you’ll need to clean the tracks and frame as well. First, clean every inch of the frame using your general cleaner.

As for the tracks, you’ll want to vacuum them with a small handheld vacuum. Then, spray the general cleaner in the track and let it sit for a few minutes. Finally, scrub the tracks with a bristle brush and wipe them with a cleaning rag. Wrap the rag around your finger so you can use your finger to get into the hard-to-reach places.

When Is It Time to Get a New Door?

Cleaning your door can help give it a long life. But if your door has stains, chips, cracks, scratches, or dents, it may be time to replace it. Other reasons to replace your door include:

• It lets in air and water.
• It does not hang straight.
• It is hard to open or close.
• It does not fit your home’s style.
• You want to increase your home’s value.

If you’re ready to replace your door, talk to a window and door specialist. Whether your door is brand new or 20 years old, make sure you clean it regularly.