If you’re like most homeowners, cleaning your garage door is probably not at the top of your priority list. We understand. There is much going on. Americans are working longer hours on average than ever before. Finding the time to maintain your home does not appear to be as easy as it once was — but why is garage door cleaning important?
With proper care and regular maintenance, the average garage door will last approximately 20 years. When you clean your garage door opener and garage, you are protecting your investment and extending the life of a door that you use several times per day.
Where should you start when cleaning out an entire garage? The garage floor is frequently cluttered, preventing people from parking or even walking around. Washing away dirt and grime from your garage door will keep it looking great and help it last longer. In fact, this garage door maintenance task, which consists of six simple steps, should be performed once or twice a year. Our expert garage door technician in Littleton gives you some tips, just follow him.
Gather Your Materials
You most likely already have all or most of the cleaning supplies you require at home. Here is the complete list:
- Several clean, soft cloths and/or wash mitts
- A few fresh towels
- A mild soap
- A big bucket to hold the soapy warm water
- A sweeping tool
- A lubricant based on silicone
After all, dish soap is designed to remove grease, and your garage door’s exterior has little to no grease. If the soap does not remove stubborn stains, use a mild detergent instead. Use 1/4 cup detergent per 5 litres of clean water.
If you have a steel, aluminum, or fibreglass garage door, you should add silicone wax to the above list. The manufacturers of garage doors recommend that you wax these doors once a year. Wax coats the door’s finish with a protective coating that protects it from damage and fading. Liquid spray wax is the most user-friendly and effective option (a silicone car wax will do just fine). It’s simple to use and will get into every nook and cranny.
Brush and Pre-Rinse the Door
To begin, use a soft-bristled broom or a microfiber mop to remove all dirt and debris from the surface. After that, use a hose to pre-rinse the entire surface. If you have a nozzle on your hose, use a wide spray setting to make life easier for yourself. Never use a pressure washer because it could cause damage to your garage door.
Apply Soap
Scrub the garage from top to bottom with your soapy warm water solution and a cloth or wash mitt. Make sure you also get the weather stripping. This is also a good time to inspect your weather stripping for cracks or wear.
Wax, Dry, and Rinse
Rinse the door with your garden hose until all of the soap has been removed. If you’re waxing your garage door, you may need to dry it first. Some waxes can and cannot be applied to a wet surface; check the product’s instructions to be sure. Use a clean, dry, soft cloth to clean the garage door. When applying the wax, work your way from top to bottom.
Lubricate
Weather stripping should be lubricated every two to three months, and there is no better time than after it has been cleaned. Use a silicone-based garage door lubricant; petroleum-based lubricants will cause the weather stripping to dry out and crack.
Clean the Interior of the Door
True, the interior side of the garage door does not require as much cleaning as the exterior side. Brush the interior surface, just as you did the exterior, to remove dirt, dust, debris, and cobwebs. Scrub the surface with a gentle soap solution after that. Finally, wipe away the suds with a clean, wet cloth, then dry the surface with a clean, dry cloth.
Finally, while you’re at it, make sure the garage door springs and garage door tracks are clean as well. The garage door rollers will become stuck if dirt and grime accumulate on the tracks. It is important to note that the tracks should only be cleaned and not lubricated. If your garage door is sticking when opening and closing, you’ll need to lubricate the rollers.
Minor garage cleanup issues may be handled by you, but larger issues should be handled by a Littleton garage door specialist. Read our articles for more information on troubleshooting common garage door issues.
If you notice any problems with your garage door while cleaning it, you can count on Spark Garage Door professionals to fix them quickly. We have the tools, parts, and expertise to repair any garage door brand. To schedule a repair call, call Spark Garage Doors Littleton at (720) 902-4081.
