One of the most important features of the home is the internal doors. They add beauty to the house, and are used more frequently; as a result, they quickly deteriorate.
There are several ways in which interior doors can be maintained and protected, and one of them is by cleaning.
When doing housework, doors are sometimes overlooked; as a result, dirt and grime accumulate over time, particularly where contact is made with and around the handles. This dirt then builds up and can cause the slab to deteriorate. That is why regular cleaning is mandatory.
This process may seem like a tedious task, but it is quite easy.
There are many types of internal models people buy into their homes: French, glass paneled, flush, classic panel with milling, etc. All of them come in various colors and designs. Light-colored slabs require extra maintenance because stains and breaks stand out more. Even so, it is not difficult to clean them.
Every time you decide to get to work, follow these easy tips to make the process faster.
What is the Best Way to Clean Interior Doors?
First, you’ll need several supplies that should always be at hand:
- Damp cloth.
- Duster/Feather duster.
- Dry-clean towel.
- Multipurpose spray or warm soapy water.
- Towel or sponge.
Many homeowners use harsh chemicals to clean their doors and sometimes get the slab damaged. Although there is nothing wrong with using chemicals, interior models need to be cleaned with care and gentleness to prevent damage from aggressive chemicals.
The choice of cleaning agent depends on the coating on the slab. The right choice will ensure that its surface remains undamaged.
There are several most popular decorative finishes.
Enamel
Performing regular cleaning in the house, wipe the door slab with a damp cloth. If there are dirty areas, use warm soapy water that does not contain active, aggressive compounds. It’s better to start washing the slab from the top and gradually go down. This will allow you to avoid drips and smudges.
If greasy stains appear on the doors, they can be removed with furniture polish (without wax). The composition of the polish contains components that do an excellent job of degreasing the surface and do not spoil the coating.
Don’t try to clean dirt and stains using solvents, acetone, alcohol-containing products. Also, don’t rub hard on the surface using brushes and scrapers. Don't use chlorine — it discolors the coating. Wax should also be avoided, as the surface after it will remain sticky and accumulate dust on itself.
Eco-veneer
This coating withstands regular washing well, so you can remove dirt from it with both plain water and detergents. Soapy warm water and cloth will be able to cope with most of the dirt.
Grease stains will be easily removed by starch or talc, primer — by diluted vinegar, putty — by a special cement removal, paint — by solvent. Glass inserts must be cleaned with a special glass agent. To prolong the life of the door, preserve its original appearance for a long time, and also hide minor defects, you can periodically treat the slab with polishes.
It is not recommended to clean eco-veneer with sponges consisting of metal fibers, abrasive cleaners, as well as concentrated acids and alkalis. It is also better to avoid using large amounts of water.
Natural wood veneer
To clean the veneered coating, do not use abrasive and alcohol-containing products, as well as detergent compositions that contain oils, acetone, alkalis, acids. It is also better not to use laundry, dishwashing detergents and other similar household chemicals.
When choosing how to wipe the doors during everyday cleaning, give preference to a microfiber cloth or soft cotton cloth moistened with warm water. This is enough to remove dust and wash away fresh dirt.
Frosted glass cleaning
To clean matte glass, use special household products to remove grease stains and dirt from frosted surfaces, alcohol-based cleaners, or dishwashing gels.
Frosted glass cannot be cleaned with alkaline and acid solutions, ammonia, abrasive powders, metal brushes. Use a soft suede, microfiber, or flannel cloth to avoid scratching or damaging the material.
The steam generator cleans all irregularities and roughness on frosted glass very well. The device supplies steam under pressure and not only cleans the surface, but also disinfects it, killing germs. After steaming, wipe the surface with a dry cloth. Besides the steam generator, a steam cleaner and mop are also suitable.
How Often Should You Clean Interior Doors?
Regular cleaning is the easiest way to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading throughout your house, enhances the beauty, and lengthens the lifespan of the slab.
Though no official statement recommends how often you should clean the internal doors, but cleaning them twice a month is advisable. You could also clean them based on how often they are used. You're likely to use the kitchen door less frequently than the bathroom one.
However, pay special attention to all the handles and knobs. They gather a lot of dirt and bacteria because they are used the most. Therefore, it is advised that you clean these elements at least once a week.
Conclusion
Although internal doors aren't exposed to severe weather conditions, they are usually one of the dirtiest parts of our houses.
It's up to you and your family how frequently you clean your home; it doesn't matter if it's weekly or monthly. Know that a dirty slab can erase all the impression if the rest of the house is neat.
Follow the guide and have yourself cleaner and fresh-looking interior doors.
