Simple entry door cleaning tips

Due to exposure to extreme temperatures, entry doors often require regular maintenance and meticulous care. Check out our tips!

Entry doors are used on a daily basis. We use them to enter and exit our homes, though we don’t often remember to clean them. People only tend to start thinking about cleaning the entry doors when they begin sticking, in case of locking and unlocking issues or, in the worst-case scenario, when the doors look really grimy and worn.

Caring for an entry door will maximize its life expectancy

It is common knowledge that exterior doors are often exposed to various environmental impacts, such as dust, moisture, smoke, industrial gases as well as to heat and cold. Due to exposure to extreme temperatures, entry doors often require regular maintenance and meticulous care.

The method of mitigating harmful environmental impacts comes down to the materials that an entry door is made from. Namely, different materials will require different methods of maintenance and care. When cleaning your exterior door, never forget about the hardware, i.e. hinges and handles, and be certain to remove and grimy deposits and dirt which may prevent proper functioning.

When using detergents and protective agents, make sure they contain no corrosive abrasive, lye ingredients. Also avoid using organic solvents which could permanently damage the door surface. Always test the selected cleaning agent on a small, concealed surface.

Protecting a wooden front door

Wood surfaces can be maintained, cleaned and protected with special wood cleaning agents or with a simple home-made solution; water with a drop of soap or washing-up liquid does the job efficiently and will not damage the lacquer. After cleaning, it is important to thoroughly wash the surfaces using clean water and let them dry, or wipe them off with a soft cloth.

Cleaning a solid wood door can be relatively simple by using a duster, by vacuuming and, if necessary, drying them off with a fan. Stubborn stains such as tar, sap and paint residues can easily be removed by applying a drop of olive oil or WD-40 to the stain, then carefully wiped off.

In case of mechanical damage to a wood finish, we recommend consulting a professional who will eliminate any possible defects as soon as possible. Small injuries, scratches, cracks and surface damage to the lacquer finish resulting from weather impacts can be eliminated with a fine brush and a layer of a suitable water-based acrylic coating. When surface defects are not immediately eliminated, the door will sooner or later require complete sanding and a fresh full coat of lacquer.

The properties of special wood surface finishes made with two-component lacquers (for a textured finish) sometimes closely resemble automotive lacquer. This means that, contrary to standard varnishes and wood coatings, they are resistant to some mechanical impacts, e.g. scratches from keys, contact with shoes etc. Regardless, such doors will still require periodic cleaning.

Cleaning powder coated aluminium surfaces

Particularly due to environmental factors, powder coated aluminium surfaces tend to exhibit uneven flat (matte) spots, resulting from the loss of the original gloss. To avoid this, aluminium surfaces are often powder coated with matte protective finishes (non-glossy).

It is recommended that aluminium surfaces be cleaned at least twice per year with clean water with a drop of pH-neutral or non-alkaline detergent. Use a soft and non-abrasive cloth to clean gently the aluminium surfaces. Avoid using excessive pressure.

It is recommended to clean aluminium entry doors during moderate outdoor temperatures below 25°C. Never use aggressive, caustic or abrasive detergents, acids or metal brushes.

To remove greasy, oily or sooty stains, use a detergent and non-aromatic benzene hydrogen chloride-based solvents.

Adhesive, silicone rubber or adhesive tape residue can be removed with pure benzene; it is important to remove them as soon as possible to prevent them drying up. After each cleaning, lacquered aluminium surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with cold water.

Possible defects, such as tiny scratches in lacquered aluminium surfaces, can be eliminated or filled with a special automotive lacquer polish containing pigment particles in the appropriate shade of colour. However, it is probably best to call in a professional to take care of any possible damage to an aluminium door.

Cleaning glass elements in entry doors

To effectively clean glass elements in entry doors, use salmiak-free commercial glass cleaners. When cleaning wooden doors with glass elements, be careful to prevent the glass cleaner from coming into contact with wood and remove any possible glass cleaner residue from lacquered surfaces. Clean with a soft cloth or paper towels. When tackling difficult stains on glass, e.g. tar or dry paint spots, use white spirit, acetone or benzene. Next, wash the glass with clean water and wipe dry. Never clean glass surfaces with alkaline lye, acid or detergents containing fluorides.

Cleaning stainless steel locks and door hardware

Due to environmental impacts (i.e. rain, dust, contaminants, salts, toxic gasses, dirt, hand creams etc.), stainless steel surfaces tend to oxidize. Also not uncommon are grimy deposits. As a result, any visible stainless steel hardware should be cleaned at least once per year or more often, if necessary. Clean stainless steel hardware using stainless steel detergents.

Aluminium door hardware (handles) should be cleaned using pH-neutral, non-abrasive cleaning detergents.

You can also use clean water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid. Specialized stores also offer special cleaning agents for anodised aluminium in the form of cleaning pastes and liquids. Clean brass hardware the same way as aluminium.

Efficient cleaning of interior doors

Interior doors also require regular cleaning. Each week, wipe them off with a wet cloth. If you spill something on your door or, if they become stained, wipe the door clean immediately, instead. Periodically grease door hinges using a suitable lubricant in order to preserve their condition.

In interior doors, cleaning also depends primarily on the material that they are made from, i.e. aluminium, glass or PVC. Each of the materials requires maintenance:

• Clean aluminium doors during ambient temperatures below 25°C, use a soft cloth and pH-neutral cleaning agents.
• Clean wooden doors with a clean wet cloth, then wipe them dry. Every couple of years, apply a fresh coat of wood impregnation or paint. The most efficient method of eliminating ballpoint or soft-tip pen marks from wood surfaces is with an eraser.
• Maintaining a PVC door is easy. If necessary, you can clean them with slightly more aggressive detergents.
• Glass elements in interior doors should be cleaned with a glass cleaner, then rinsed thoroughly with water.

Cleaning solid wood sliding doors

A sliding door that easily becomes stuck or that produces unusual noise is a pain in the neck of the user and might also result in damage to the floor covering. Often, a door will refuse to smoothly slide due to dirt and muck inside the roller guides, which can be easily be remedied through periodic cleaning. Using a cloth soaked in a mild detergent and warm water mixture, regularly clean the track that the door slides on. Wipe off the cleaned surfaces with a soft and dry cloth.

Even the most modern entrances require cleaning

Modern entry doors are technical masterpieces characterised by quality artisanship and simple maintenance. They are resistant to mechanical strain and will not discolour due to sunlight. As a result, cleaning and maintaining their original appearance using commercial detergents is easy.

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Entry door home Maintenance

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