How to Clean External Doors

External doors are the primary safety concern for all homeowners; they provide us with a means to secure ourselves and our belongings from burglars. Moving away from the safety aspects, external doors also bring in natural light, protect you from the elements, and if you have external French, sliding, or bi-fold doors, bring the outside in and create a much larger feel to your home. So, it’s safe to say that our external doors are essential.

Suppose you fail to maintain the upkeep of your external door, the safety features will begin to fail. In that case, the elements can wreak havoc on the door’s exterior, and your natural light will become compromised from the dirt that has built up over time. Not to mention, a dirty external door isn’t pretty to look at.

With all of this in mind, it’s definitely a good idea to keep your external doors cleaned and correctly cared for. Not only will your door look great, but it’ll last a lot longer, too.

How Do I Clean External Doors?

Your first challenge is to think about the type of door that you have. Do you have a panelled uPVC door? Does it have glass inserts? Is it made from wood? Once you’ve established this, buy the products that are most suitable for that material.

For uPVC, a mild soap and warm water is all that’s needed.

For glass inserts, purchase a glass cleaner.

If your external door is made from wood, a wood cleaner is ideal. Failing that, warm soapy water will do. For wooden doors, make sure you have a wood primer.

How Do I Clean Aluminium and uPVC External Doors?

These materials are pretty easy to maintain. Follow these short steps every couple of months to keep your external doors clean and debris-free:

1. Remove any dust and dirt by wiping the entire area with a dry, soft cloth.
2. Use a mild soap and warm water to clean the exterior of your door. Use a sponge or soft cloth to apply the soapy water to the door’s surface.
3. If you have dirt that you’re struggling to remove, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush over the area in circular motions.
4. Dry the door using a clean, dry cloth. It’s important to dry the surface so that the water doesn’t create any drip marks as it dries. If you have any small cracks or holes in the door, make sure they’re completely dry; water will settle into these places and can do more damage.

How Do I Clean Wooden External Doors?

A little more care and attention is needed for wooden doors. As with the other materials, clean your wooden doors every couple of months. Depending on your general weather conditions, you may need to prime the wood more often, too.

1. Wipe away any dirt and debris from your door using a clean, dry cloth.
2. Use a mild soap and warm water to clean your door. For wood, we’d advise that you ring out the cloth before applying it to the door; too much water can cause your door to expand and crack. Apply the warm, soapy water with a clean soft cloth or sponge.
3. As with the other types of external doors, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any stubborn stains.
4. Dry the wood with a clean, dry cloth as soon as you’ve finished washing it.
5. Once the door is completely dry, use a wood primer over the entire wooden area. Primers protect wood from the elements and improve the door’s longevity.

How Do I Clean Glass Inserts?

Cleaning glass inserts is the same as cleaning windows. You can use warm soapy water if you dry it immediately after; however, it’s usually a better idea to grab some window cleaner and either paper towels or a soft dry cloth.

Whichever method you go for, ensure you dry the glass to avoid any drip marks or streaks.