The weather’s warming up, which can only mean one thing: spring is here! For many people, this is the perfect time of year to refresh the home. Spring cleaning is a great way to bring new life to the interior of your home. Your doors are a great place to start. These are often neglected throughout the year but they’re simple and easy to clean.
Removing dust from your doors is important for aesthetics, but also for your health. Cheryl, owner of Tidymom.net, states: “Dust, allergens, and other particles are constantly floating through our home’s air. It builds up and you can’t hide it. Dust build up can even effect your health, especially if you or a family member has allergies.”
Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Prepare your surfaces
- Begin by using a damp cloth to wipe the dust off the door. Start with the top edge and work your way down. This will avoid dust from the top of the door falling onto wet areas below.
- Don’t forget to include the doorframe and any hardware.
- Follow up with a soft, dry cloth, to dry each surface of the door and doorframe.
- Place an old towel on the floor to catch any drips before moving onto the next step.
Wash down the door
- Before you begin cleaning, do a quick spot-test to ensure your cleaning products don’t damage the surface of your door. If your door is varnished wood, you may want to use an oil-based product instead of soapy water.
- If your door is painted, a bucket of warm, soapy water and a sponge should do the trick. Gently wipe down the door. Again, start at the top and work down.
- If you come across any tough spots, use a cleaning spray and a soft cloth, to spot-clean.
- Make sure you use your sponge to get into any nooks and crannies. Dirt can also build up around the fixtures, so be thorough.
- Once you’ve done one side of the door, prop it open and clean the other side.
- Don’t forget to work your way down the outside edge as well. People often touch this section of the door, rather than using the handle. As a result, this area can get covered in fingerprints.
- Use a fresh bucket of water and a sponge to rinse off any suds. Then use a soft cloth to gently dry the door’s surfaces.
Top tip: If you prefer not to buy pre-made cleaners, why not make your own? There are lots of tutorials for DIY all-purpose cleaners online. Search around to find one that’s perfect for your doors!
Don’t forget the hardware
- Clean any hardware such as doorknobs or handles thoroughly.
- Again, it’s a good idea to spot-test your cleaning products first to make sure they are suitable for these areas of your door. Warm soapy water will work for many materials. If you have brass doorknobs, you may want to purchase a specific brass cleaner, for a better result.
- If you have a threshold or step at the foot of your door, make sure you hoover and clean that too.
[Photo by pippalou]