Tips for Washing Your Garage Door

Washing your garage door at least twice a year can help protect its finish and increase your curb appeal. Preserve its lifespan and let it operate smoothly by removing the dust and grime stuck to the surface. As you clean it, you can take the opportunity to inspect the surface for rusts and dents and figure out if you need any new components. Use this guide to learn how to wash a garage door properly.

What You Need to Clean Your Garage Door

To clean this significant part of your exterior property, you can use simple household products that you can find at your local department store. Collect the following tools and materials to have on hand for washing the garage door:

• Hose: Before applying the cleaning detergent onto your garage door, you should rinse off the surface with a hose. Instead of using a pressure washer, make sure you use it a gentle method for applying the water so that you don’t dent or scratch the finish. Wetting the door first gets rid of the loose debris before you scrub it. You can also use the hose to wash away the soap after you’ve finished wiping the surface.
• Soap or cleansing solution: Using a mild detergent, such as what you would use to wash your dishes or car, is the best way to clean a garage door safely and affordably. Harsh chemical cleaners such as bleach could discolor particular finishes and ruin the surface’s visual appeal, so you should only use bleach to spot clean stains. Mix 1 cup of soap with 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket to create a diluted solution.
• Sponge or cloth: Coarse materials can scratch the finish and damage your garage door material. Instead, it’s best to use a gentle wiping agent, such as a soft sponge or cloth, to apply the cleaning solution to the door’s surface. A clean cloth ensures that you won’t spread dirt or grime onto your property. It would help if you also used a dry cloth to wipe the surface clean when you’ve finished.
• Step ladder: To clean those hard-to-reach components of the door to your garage, you need a step ladder so you can provide a quality cleaning job from top to bottom. You can also use a step ladder to inspect every part of the door, ensuring everything is in working order and free of rust and dents.
• Wax: If you have a steel garage door, you can apply spray wax to it after cleaning your garage door to prevent corrosion, especially if you live in a salty, coastal area. Try to wax the door at least twice a year immediately after washing it to ensure a clean, smooth surface.

How to Clean Your Garage Door

To wash the outer surface, hose it off to get rid of loose dirt and grime. Using a wet cloth or a sponge, mix a mild detergent with water and wipe it over the door. Rinse the soap with the hose when you’ve finished, and apply spray wax to protect your steel garage door from corrosion.

Follow these additional tips for washing a garage door to maintain it:

• Avoid using a pressure washer: Rinsing off your garage door with a pressure washer could damage your door by denting a steel surface or chipping the paint off any material. Instead, it’s best to use a gentle garden hose to get the grime and soap off of the surface. Even if using a gentler method takes longer, it’s better to ensure a clean, quality finish than to get the job done quickly.
• Look for signs of rust or wear: When you wash the surface, take time to inspect it for damage. Try opening and closing it and listen for sounds or signs that indicate you need to get it repaired. If your door is rusted or has broken components, contact your local garage door company to replace them.
• Clean the other parts: Besides cleaning the surface of the door, you can also wipe down the weatherstripping along the bottom and sides that could collect mold or mildew. Wash the garage door tracks and the photo-eye to make sure they last a long time. You can also use a garage door lubricant on the metal components to prevent rust and keep them moving smoothly.
• Avoid abrasive detergents and sponges: Harsh cleaning equipment will only scratch or damage the door’s surface and erode the finish. When you’re trying to clean it, use a gentle sponge or soft cloth to ensure a smooth surface that enhances your curb appeal. Also, only use a mild detergent on your garage door to preserve its appearance.
• Be careful when cleaning with bleach: You should only use bleach to spot clean a stain on your garage door. Avoid mixing it with your dish soap because the combination could produce toxic fumes. You should make sure that you completely dry the area before applying bleach so you don’t accidentally mix it with the soap. Since bleach is such a harsh chemical substance, it would be best if you also diluted it with water according to the bottle’s instructions.

How Often Should I Wash My Garage Door?

In general, you should wash your garage doors twice a year — once in the fall and once in the spring. Washing this part of your house only takes a few minutes, so you should make time for it before the harsh winter weather comes along and freezes the debris onto the surface.

The following factors could determine how regularly you should clean it:

• Your local climate: If you live near the coast or you get road salt on your property often, you might want to wash it every season instead of every six months. You should also inspect your garage door for debris or dents after a harsh storm.
• Your garage door material: The material of this part of your property may also affect how often you wash it. If you have wooden garage doors, you need to prevent the buildup of moisture or dirt so that it doesn’t rot or get infested with insects. Steel garage doors are easy to maintain, but you need to treat them with wax to preserve their coating.

Contact Kitsap Garage Door in Washington for Garage Door Repair and Replacement Services

As you’re properly cleaning your garage door, you may decide that you need a new one. In that case, you can call our team at Kitsap Garage Door to help you find the product with the perfect finish to complement your property. Please browse through our inventory of residential garage doors for your home in the Kitsap Peninsula. For more information about garage door cleaning or routine garage door maintenance, contact us online or call (360) 692-0849.