Garage cleaning can be intensely satisfying, even if it’s a bit of a daunting entry to tackle on the chore list. Beyond the classic springtime clear-out of old sports gear, half-finished DIY projects and prehistoric spare tyres, it’s also important to know how to clean garage door installations. While indoor tidiness will benefit the mind, taking care of the garage’s exterior is important for your home’s overall aesthetic and kerbside appeal.
This blog will explore the importance of cleaning a dirty garage door, touching on different methods for doing so based on the various materials they can be made of.
Why Clean Garage Doors?
There are several reasons that garage doors should be kept clean and pristine, including:
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- Aesthetics. A clean garage door obviously looks better and increases kerbside appeal.
- Lifespan. Cleaner garage doors will be resistant to corrosion and damage from dirt and grime.
- Warranty rules. Regular cleaning is a better way to help maintain a warranty policy with some manufacturers.
- Smooth operations. Cleanliness is next to functionality, with dirt and debris often slowing down the opening and closing of doors.
While there’s no one best way to clean a garage door, it’s clear that there are plenty of valid reasons to do so, ranging from the more superficial to technologically essential.
Common Causes For Garage Door Cleaning
Countless environmental elements can cause garage doors to become dirty, varying depending on the area you live in.
- Dust, dirt and pollen from wind, traffic, construction and plant life can settle on garage doors.
- Leaves, twigs and other natural debris can blown against the door, potentially leaving behind stains or even scratches.
- Rain, sleet, hail and snow can often carry dirt and pollutants, resulting in moisture damage or acidic degradation.
- Salty sea air in coastal areas can end up on metal garage doors, eventually resulting in corrosion.
- Bird droppings are acidic, which will eventually result in damage being done to the paint/metal.
- Vehicle exhaust fumes from both your home’s cars or surrounding vehicles will contribute to dirt buildup.
All of these are common causes of dirt and grime buildup, without even getting into the mess that can be made for freak/random occurrences.
General Advice For Keeping Garage Doors Clean
Across all different types or materials of garage doors, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Preventative measures
Regularity is important, more so than general garage cleaning in fact. Being quicker and more regular with cleaning will prevent dirt and grime from building up too much, in turn preventing damage or malfunction. Other preventative measures can include using protective coatings on the door and carefully checking any weather stripping.
Advice while cleaning
It’s important to clean with care, making sure not to use abrasive cleaners or tools to avoid scratching up or damaging the door. Pressure washing can also result in damage to the door, so it should be approached at some distance. Once cleaning is complete, it’s important to lubricate any moving parts and inspect the door for damage.
Tips For Cleaning Different Garage Door Materials
Garage doors can be made from a variety of materials. That’s why it’s important to understand how to clean aluminium, steel wood and fibreglass variations.
Cleaning aluminium garage doors involves using water and mild detergent without abrasive chemicals to scrub the metal elements down. It’s always best to follow this cleaning with a thorough drying. The same process applies to steel, while both materials can also be treated specially with metal-specific cleaning solutions.
Wood needs to be cleaned with special care, depending on the type of board used on the door. It’s worth consulting the manufacturer for their recommendations. Fibreglass is super simple, much like metal alternatives.
Whatever door you have installed, cleaning needs to be an important part of your routine. Garage cleaning applies inside and out!
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