How To Clean White Doors
White doors are quite popular among American homes. Whether it’s a front door, a patio door, or any doors in the rooms of your house, you can never go wrong with classic white.
While white doors are pleasing, this color is also most prone to dirt appearing easily. Oily fingerprints, mud stains, and scratches are among the dirt that easily appears on white doors that can be tough to remove when not cleaned immediately.
If you’re dealing with this problem with your white doors, here’s a useful guide to help your doors look best for years with proper care. (Read What Is Propane Tank Condensation)
Different Materials of White Doors
White doors come in different materials depending on where it’s placed. Here are some of the most common materials used on white doors:
- Wood. Wooden white doors are more commonly used in bedrooms. It complements any aesthetic and fits any user, whether for the master bedroom or your kids’ room. They also work great in front doors instead of the traditional brown color for that contemporary look.
- Steel. Steel white doors are more frequently used as front doors because of how low maintenance it is, along with the modern look it gives. At times, this material has iron design glass that allows light inside the house.
- Vinyl. Also, one of the lowest maintenance materials in the market, vinyl doors, are mostly used as patio doors. They come in different styles, such as folding, sliding, lifting and sliding, and more.
- Gloss. This material is popular for kitchen doors since it can make any room look bright and spacious with its color.
- Painted. Painted doors are often used as internal doors because they are prone to chipping.
How To Clean White Doors
No need to worry if you have no idea how to clean doors. If the white doors in your home are one of the materials mentioned, here are the best ways to clean them:
Wooden Doors
Unlike other materials, wooden doors need extra care when cleaning. Since it’s made of wood, using the wrong cleaning agent can damage the door.
No matter what dirt stained your wooden white doors, this is the safest way to clean them:
- Mix mild dish soap with warm water.
- With a soft sponge, lightly rub off the dirt from the door.
- Once removed, rinse off any remaining soap from the door.
- Pat dry the door with a microfiber cloth. Make sure it’s thoroughly clean and dry!
Steel Doors
Steel white doors can be easier to clean since they are low maintenance. You’ll be surprised that they only need a little supervision compared to other materials despite their clean white color.
If you notice that your steel doors already need cleaning, here’s what you should do:
- Put on a pair of rubber gloves and have ready a soft sponge and all-purpose cleaner.
- Dampen the sponge with water, then spray the door with the all-purpose cleaner. Scrub the door lightly from top to bottom.
- If your steel door has glass, you can also do the same with a sponge and all-purpose cleaner.
- After cleaning the entire door, including the glass, rinse it with a clean sponge and water.
- Pat dry with a soft cloth.
Vinyl Doors
Vinyl doors are frequently exposed to outside elements that make them prone to dust and dirt. The good news is, they are very easy to clean and maintain!
Here’s how you can clean your white vinyl doors:
- Mix a mild detergent with water.
- With a soft cloth or a soft bristle brush, rub off the dirt from your vinyl doors.
- Rinse off with water and a clean cloth.
- You can use a mildly abrasive cleanser for hard-to-clean areas on your door.
Remember that you should never use a high-pressure washer for your vinyl doors. This can cause cracks and defects around your door.
Gloss Doors
Given its glossy material, fingerprints and other dirt easily show up on vinyl doors. But since it has a smooth and shiny surface, they are easier to clean than that of wooden or painted ones. (Read Can You Lay A Propane Tank On Its Side)
If your doors are made of this material, here’s how you can keep them squeaky clean:
- Generally, you can use a diluted detergent on the water as a cleaner.
- Spray on your doors, rinse, and pat them dry with a soft cloth.
- If you find that detergent leaves streaks on your doors, use a glass cleaning spray instead.
- Pat dry with a soft cloth after.
Painted Doors
Painted doors might seem intimidating to clean at first because of the fear to chip its paint. The trick is to test on one area first before applying it to your whole door to make sure that it’s safe to use.
Try these general cleaning tips:
- Mix the dishwashing liquid with warm water.
- Clean using a soft sponge, then rinse. Alternatively, you can use an all-purpose cleaner.
- Dry it with a soft cloth.
How To Whiten White Doors
One thing you might notice about your white doors is how they slowly turn yellow. This is usually caused by excessive moisture due to high humidity or it might be placed in an area close to the heat. Either way, you don’t want this to happen to your white door!
If you think your doors are showing signs of turning yellow, here are some ways you can do to whiten them again:
- Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a 1/4 cup of water. A paste will form once it’s mixed.
- With a damp sponge, rub the paste on the parts slowly turning yellow. Leave it on for around five minutes.
- Wipe the paste with a damp cloth and pat it dry.
How To Deal With Tough Stains
Even if you regularly clean your doors, stains and marks are inevitable. Since they are highly exposed to any kind of dirt, there are times when tough stains can ruin your door.
Here are some general ways to get rid of tough stains:
- Mild bleach. Dilute your bleach in water and spray them on the tough stain. Rub with a soft cloth and rinse.
- White vinegar. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 4 cups of water and use it as a spray. Clean with a soft cloth and rinse.
Take note that these solutions can be quite strong. Make sure you patch test first on a small area before removing the other stains on your white door.
General Cleaning Tips To Remember
Regular cleaning should be done once you have your white doors installed. It’s the best way to keep it in its best condition for years.
For general maintenance of white doors, here’s how you should do them:
- Dust them. Before washing the doors, try to collect the dust by using rags or feather dusters. Through this, you’ll ensure they won’t turn into muddy dirt once you wash them.
- Patch test first. You don’t want to ruin your sleek white door just because you want them to be kept clean. The safest way is to patch-test your cleaning solution first. If there are no adverse reactions, then you’re good to go!
- Place some newspapers or rags below. This will ensure that your floors won’t be dripping wet when you start washing and rinsing your door. It’s also highly recommended to do this when cleaning kitchen doors since your kitchen counters might get wet when you clean them.
- Wash them. Depending on the material door, as mentioned above, you can now wash the door using cleaning agents. Whether it’s a soap, detergent, or an all-purpose cleaner, use them with a soft sponge to ensure they won’t scrape your door.
- Include your doorknobs and locks. Knobs are the most prone to this kind of dirt since they are the ones people frequently hold. You can use the same cleaning solution for these knobs and include them in your cleaning process.
- Pat them dry. This step is important since leaving the water to dry on your door can leave drip marks on it. Always dry your white doors with a soft cloth.
Key Takeaway
As they say, prevention is better than cure — and it also applies to your white doors! Regular maintenance is the key to keeping the quality and beauty of your white doors. Once you spot dust or dirt on your doors, clean them immediately! Treat your doors carefully like how you treat the rest of your home. (Learn How Long Do Roses Last In The Fridge)
If you think the stains or scratches on your doors cannot be handled by the steps we mentioned, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Through this way, you will know the best ways to restore the beauty of your clean white doors.
