Tips on How To Maintain Your Wooden Door

Wooden doors are an exciting addition to any home, but they must be adequately maintained. Otherwise, the door will warp or crack. Internal and external doors can suffer from moisture absorption, rot, and swelling. Check out these tips on how to maintain your wooden doors.

Prep Your Materials and Start Cleaning

You can’t begin a project without the right tools. Here are a few things you’ll need to begin this project.

We use the doors in our homes frequently, so dust accumulates in hard-to-reach places, like above the top rail and below the bottom rail. Use an extendable duster to begin the cleaning process. If you skip this step, you’ll spread the dust everywhere later on. Give the door a once-over, and don’t forget the hinges!

Use a damp washcloth and hot water to remove dirt and grime from the door’s surface. Look for fingerprints, scuffs, and patches of dirt. The wood must be completely dry before moving on to the next step, or it will warp.

Don’t forget to clean any glass on the door with a window cleaner!

You can find various wood cleaning products online, or at your local grocery store. Be sure to check the ingredients. The best wood cleaners have a vegetable oil base, which will give your door a glossy shine. Apply the protective wood cleaner. This product protects the door from the elements and gives it a nice shine. Apply with a brush in the same direction as the grain. This step is essential for cleaning an internal oak door.

Maintaining Painted vs. Stained Doors

While there are many kinds of doors, two of the most popular are painted and wood-stained doors. While they vary in cost, color, and style, they differ in maintenance. After dusting your door and wiping it with a hot rag, you should use wood wax on your stained doors. The wax will protect the door from moisture, and it will help the door hold its color for a very long time.

Cleaning Hinges and Doorknobs

If you want to do a deep clean on your hinges, remove them from your door one at a time and place them in a solution of soapy water. Soak them for up to 30 minutes, and then use a toothbrush to remove any dirt and grime gently. Dry them thoroughly, or they will rust. If they’re already rusty, create a thick paste of baking soda and water, and scrub gently until the rust disappears.

For doorknobs, you can use a mixture of water and vinegar and rub the knob vigorously. You’ll also want to make sure it dries before reattaching. If you find the water and vinegar mixture doesn’t work, you’ll need a stronger cleaner.

Now that you know how easy it is to maintain your wooden door with these tips, you can get started today! It’s a rewarding process when you look at the finish years from now and see it’s still shining in the sunlight. Happy cleaning!

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