Clean Your Garage Door – Like most homeowners, cleaning your garage door hasn’t made it very high on your priority list. We get it. On average, Americans are working longer hours, driving kids around to one practice to another practice. Finding the time to maintain your home just doesn’t seem to come as easily as it used to, but why is cleaning your garage door important to do?

When is the Last Time you Cleaned your Garage Door?

Winter is around the corner, and there’s no better time than the present to start your cleaning your garage door. Ready to get started? Here are some things to keep in mind.

On average, homeowners should wash their garage door at least twice a year, spring and once in the fall. In some cases, homes in a harsh environment, such as a coastal area or areas that gets a lot of snow, may require quarterly cleaning. This is because the excessive exposure to salt can erode the finish of a garage door more quickly.

Sure, keeping your garage door clean makes your house look nicer — a definite bonus if you’re worried about curb appeal — but cleaning your garage door also provides a number of other benefits, too:

Prevent Rust:

Rust is caused when salt, dirt or other substances become stuck on your garage door. Not only is rust unsightly, but, over time, it can damage the integrity of your door. Regular cleaning prevents rust from forming on doors made of certain materials to ultimately extend the life of the door.

Prolong Your Door’s Finish:

Your garage door is exposed to the elements on a daily basis — rain, sun, wind, dirt — and all of these can take a toll, even on the highest-quality door. Over time, the finish on your door can become dull and, in some cases, damaged or eroded. If dirt and grime are left on the door over long periods, it can speed up the erosion of the finish.

While wood garage doors can and should be refinished periodically, keeping them clean means you can go longer in between refinishing. For doors made from other materials, you may not be refinishing them on a regular basis, but maintaining the integrity of the door’s surface goes a long way in keeping the door in good condition.

Maintain Your Warranty:

If your garage door is still under warranty, then you are required to clean it regularly to maintain the terms of the warranty. In some cases, failure to keep your door clean will void your warranty and prevent you from using it when problems arise. While we hope you never run into problems with your door, sticking to the terms of your warranty will give you peace of mind if something goes wrong.

Washing your Garage Door

Once you understand the benefits of regularly cleaning your garage door, it’s time to begin the process. It may seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never cleaned your garage door before, but it’s actually quite simple and can typically be completed with items you already have around your home.

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

Cleaning Solution:

A mild detergent, such as dishwasher soap or car wash soap is your best bet, making this project one of the cheaper home improvement jobs you’ll tackle as a homeowner.

Once you have soap in hand, grab a bucket and mix one cup of the liquid soap with two gallons of water. Never add bleach to your cleaning solution. Bleach should only be used as a spot cleaner for tough-to-tackle stains — more about that later.

Non-abrasive Sponges or Clean Cloths:

The last thing you want to do is damage your door’s finish by using an abrasive brush or sponge. Grab a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning cloth to scrub the door, like the same sponges or clothes you use for a car. Avoid using dirty rags that may have dirt or sand on them, as well as scouring products.

Once the door is clean, you’ll want some soft, dry cloths to dry off the surface.

Step Ladder:

Using a step ladder guarantees quality cleaning from top to bottom. After all, you don’t just want to clean the bottom half of the door! This will also help as you inspect the parts of your garage door, making sure everything is in good working order.

Once your supplies are ready, it’s time to get to work as anyone can wash the door. But, as you’re working, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t be afraid to put some elbow grease into it. Scrub hard and even use your hands to remove tough spots or dirt that’s caked on the door.
• Use a bleach/water mixture to spot clean tough stains.
• Make sure to scrub the weatherstripping and trim around the door, too. This will prolong the life of your weatherstripping, a cost savin tip.
• Wash both the exterior and interior of the door. The interior, specially the bottom portion, is still exposed to dirt and grime.

What Not to DO:

Don’t Use a Pressure Washer

• Pressure Washer can damage the integrity of your door.

Don’t Mix Cleaning Solution and Bleach

• A bleach-water mixture can be used for tough stains, but it should never be applied while soap is still on the door or incorporated into your cleaning solution

Don’t Use Abrasive Sponges, Cloths or Solvents

• Using these products can scratch or damage the door’s surface and erode the finish.