Keeping your garage door looking good is important for a number of reasons. Proper cleaning improves the look of the door especially in high humid areas like our. Mold and mildew can quickly build up making the door look worn and old. Here are some things you can do to keep your garage door in the best shape possible. Keep in mind, the recommendations apply to metal doors, if you have a wood door you will need to take additional precautions not covered in this post.
What You’ll Need to Give It a Thorough Wash Over time, your garage door will collect dirt, dust, and other debris. Giving it a proper wash with the right cleaning supplies is crucial for best results. Here’s some tips to get the job done the right way. High dollar soaps aren’t necessary. In fact, dishwasher soap or another mild detergent can usually get the job done. Once you get your hands on the soap, combine one cup of it with two gallons of warm water in a bucket for an ideal solution. To avoid scratching your garage door, be sure to use a gentle cleaning utensil like a soft sponge or bath cloth.
Once your supplies are in order, you’re ready to get to work. Although the scrubbing process is fairly self-explanatory, there are some things you should keep in mind to do the best job possible.
First, since you’re using a non-abrasive cleaning utensil, don’t be afraid to give it a good scrub. If this is the first time you’re cleaning your garage door in several years, there’s probably a good amount of grime stuck on it. It’s worth taking some extra time and doing a good job. You might encounter a spot with dirt that’s extremely caked on the door. When some extra elbow grease can’t get the job done, you can resort to a bleach and water mixture instead. For the optimal solution, mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Bleach solutions should be used very sparingly and carefully, as overdoing it can cause damage to the garage. The weatherstripping and trim around the door are important to touch upon, too. In order for the door to look and function at its best, clean weatherstripping and trim are vital. Keep in mind that both the interior and exterior of the door should be scrubbed for the best results. If you have a wood garage door, a thorough cleaning may result in minor erosions in your finish. If this happens, it may be necessary to give it a fresh coat of paint or stain to your existing finish or even refinish the door completely.
Things to Strictly Avoid While Washing Your Garage Door You may be tempted to experiment with different methods of washing your garage door that is more convenient and take less time. While it’s great to think creatively, here are some practices that should be avoided.
Don’t Mix a Cleaning Solution With Bleach As stated previously, bleach should be used solely for the toughest stains. When bleach mixes with your cleaning solution, either in the bucket or on the door itself, it can ruin the effectiveness of the solution and even diminish your door’s quality. The cleaning solution should be wiped off before bleach is applied. Furthermore, mixing bleach with other chemicals can be unsafe.
Pressure Washers Should Never Be Used Even though grime could be stuck to the door, using a pressure washer to apply more power should never be considered. The integrity of your door should be of the utmost importance, and the process of washing it should never pose any risk of harming it. It is safe to use a hose with relatively gentle water pressure to wash off your garage door.
Don’t Call it a Day Until You’re Satisfied With the Result When the cleaning process is complete, you should be happy with what you see. Making sure all parts of the garage door are clean, especially the bottom, is worth the necessary time. Also, take the time to use cloths to dry off the door to prevent water spots.
Waxing Your Garage Door If your garage door is made of steel, wax can be the last step in the cleaning process. A layer of wax to finish it off will help to prevent wear and tear and will promote resistance to dirt and grime. In areas that frequently experiences harsh weather, this is particularly important. It’s best to wax immediately after cleaning. Only liquid waxes should be used on your door. A typical automotive wax is usually sufficient, and paste wax should never be applied. If you’re not sure how to properly apply wax, it’s worth doing some research before attempting to apply wax.
While we don't clean garage doors we certainly service them. Broken springs, off-track, new rollers, garage door openers and the list goes on.
For all of your garage door needs, be sure to call a name you can trust!
Integrity Garage Door of Conroe and all of Mongtomery County 832-641-0402
