Cleaning door frames is a great way to freshen up the look of your home. Don't know where to start? From the front door to the pantry to the shower doors, we have all the cleaning tips you need to get your door frames sparkling in the new year. Find out below how you can clean your door frames!
Clean metal and stainless steel door frames
Fingerprints and light smudges caused by normal use are the most common contaminants and can be removed using simple cleaning methods. Use a soft cloth and wipe in the direction of the grain with glass cleaner, or clean the frames by gently rubbing with a paste made from baking soda and water. Then rinse them thoroughly with warm water. A little water can cause water spots, so dry surfaces completely with towels.
Pro tip:Do not use steel brushes or steel wool. For even more aggressive cleaning, a small amount of vinegar can be added to the cleaning solution.
To avoid discoloration or damage caused by over-cleaning on stubborn stains, regular cleaning with warm, soapy water will keep your white plastic door frames in top condition.
- Use a soft brush or cloth to brush away dust and loose dirt.
- Wipe the frames with clean water to remove dirt.
- Prepare a soap solutionwarm waterand a squirt of detergent in a bottle.
- Use a soft cloth and the soap solution to wash the frames.
- Wipe again with clean water.
Note the following:Do not use scouring pads, steel wool or sponges with abrasive surfaces.
How to get yellowed door frames white again?
Older, white PVC frames and cheap PVC are known to yellow with age. If it's a quality issue, unfortunately there's not much you can do,to restore the white. If the frame has been damaged by an abrasive cleaner, a scouring pad, or from years of using a cream cleaner, the PVC will be full of fine scratches that will leave the frame looking dull and discolored. In this case, there is nothing you can do to make the yellowed frame bright white again.
If the door frames are discolored from years of dirt, you can try another magic trick with vinegar.
- Mix 250 ml of vinegar with 1 liter of hot water.
- Spray the solution onto the PVC frames using a spray bottle.
- Then leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Note the following:Under no circumstances should you use bleach or rubbing alcohol as they will damage the surface of the PVC. Also remember that many cleaning products contain hidden dyes, and since PVC is porous, these can react and permanently discolor your door frames.
Clean door frames – care for wood
The first step in cleaning wooden door frames is dusting.
Dusting the door frames
It is important to remove all dust and dirt as water tends to smear it. Cleaning could make the door look even worse. A clean cloth or duster may be enough to remove dust and dirt. If you need to get into the cracks and crevices of moldings and trim, a clean brush is more effective. A vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment is another way to remove dust from the top edge of the door frame.
Get painted wooden door frames clean again with home remedies
The most thing that makes your door frames look dirty are oily fingerprints that attract dirt. That's why cleaning worksnot with water alone. Avoid using detergents. These products can damage the finish or color of your wood. A diluted solution of mild dish soap and water should clean your door without damaging it.
- Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent into one liter of water. Test the solution on a part of the door that is not as visible. This way you can be sure that the solution will not react with the paint or varnish of your door.
- Before you start wiping down the door frame, place a few old towels or newspapers underneath to catch any drips.
- Use a clean sponge or cloth dipped in the soap solution to clean the door frameto clean. Wring out the sponge or cloth well after dipping it in the solution. Excess water can leave stains on the surface.
- Rinse the door frame with a damp, soap-free cloth. Finally, wipe the surface dry with a clean towel. This way you avoid drip marks.
If you have painted or stained wooden doors, you can use an appropriate polish or wax after cleaning. These products give the wood a rich shine.
Clean door frames – remove stubborn stains
For stubborn stains, you may need more than a soap and water mixture. White vinegar mixed with water can be a good solution to remove stains. Vinegar is non-toxic and inexpensive. Mix 250 ml vinegar with 1 liter water. Test this mixture on a hard-to-see area of the door before applying it. Vinegar smells very strong, but the smell fades. Vinegar actually has a deodorizing effect.
Polishing wooden door frames
Furniture polish or wax can remove light scratches from a painted or stained door. Polishing can remove scratch marks from a painted door frame. You can also try a paste made from baking soda and water. Rub the scratch marks with the mixture and a non-abrasive sponge. If none of these methods work, you may need to repaint the area.
