So, like many homeowners, you’re now the proud owner of a composite door. They’re safe, secure, durable, stylish, don’t require much maintenance and which makes them one of the best front door for your home. You’ve made a good investment! But how do you clean a composite door?
Just because composite doors don’t require a lot of maintenance, that doesn’t mean that they require none. If you’re wondering how to clear your composite door, read on, as we’re going to tell you exactly how to clean your composite door step-by-step, to make sure it keeps looking as best as possible.
And you’ll be glad to know, the process isn’t too hard. You don’t need much more than the right cleaning solution, water, and a couple of cloths or sponges.
Just a touch of routine care should be all that you need to make sure that the door doesn’t let your home down Read on to discover how to clean your composite door, step-by-step, to make sure that your door stays looking its very best.
How to Clean a Composite Door
Bringing modern convenience to both classic and contemporary designs, composite doors are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners throughout the UK. Strengthened by a blend of materials, such as uPVC and fibreglass, these doors are becoming more and more in demand due to their strength, security, durability, and ease of maintenance.
If you’re wanting to keep your door looking as good as possible, then follow the below steps.
Preparation for Cleaning
- First of all, make sure that you get the supplies that you need. In most cases, all that you’re going to need is a soft-bristled brush, warm water, mild soap or detergent, a cloth or sponge, an extra dry cloth, a bucket and, if possible, access to a garden hose.
- Take the time to identify the spots of your composite door that are going to need a little more attention. You want to do this when the door is dry and free of debris, not when it’s wet after the rain or snow, as that can make it difficult to clearly see stains and marks. If you notice any damage, such as scratches, cracks, or dents, you might want to get in touch for reply services, on top of cleaning it.
- Stay safe while cleaning. If you’re standing on a surface that might become slippery when wet, make sure that you’re wearing shoes that offer traction, or lay down a large area towel that can soak it up. Be sure that anyone who might be on the other side of the door knows that you’re there so they don’t open when you’re cleaning. If you have to reach up high to hit a spot, make sure that you have a step that is on even, dry ground.
Step-by-Step Guide To Cleaning Your Composite Door
- Start by removing any surface dirt and debris from the door Any loose dirt or leaves or the like clinging to the door will get in the way of the washing process. A soft bristle brush should be enough to knock it loose, and you might want to focus on the corners as that’s where dirt tends to build up and get stubborn.
- Prepare a gentle cleaning solution by squirting a small amount of mild detergent into a bottle, preferably a spray bottle, and filling it with warm water. After closing the lid, give it a good shake to help it mix effectively.
- Using either a sponge or a soft cloth, apply the cleaning solution to the door, either by spraying it on and then washing it with, or by soaking your sponge/cloth in the solution and washing it down with it. Do not scrub the composite door hard, just gentle washing should be enough. Repeatedly doing it on one spot will wear down any dirt, so force usually isn’t necessary.
- Keep a bucket of clean water close so that you can rinse the door with clean water to remove residue after washing. If the water in the bucket starts to go brown, pour it down the drain and refill it with clear, clean water. You can use a hose to achieve the same effect.
- Take the dry cloth you set aside, make sure that it’s clean, and wipe the door dry to prevent water stains from forming.
- Take the time to look over the door again, see if there are any remaining stains or marks and, if so, repeat the process again on those spots.
Cleaning the door frame
Just like the rest of the door, the frame can start to experience a buildup of dirt, grime, and debris. This can become more stubbornly caked in there, but you should avoid using any abrasive cleaners, bleaches, solvents, or other harsh cleaning methods. Running the hose or pressure washer can knock a lot of dirt loose, but the best method is, again, to use the gentle cleaning solution mentioned in the steps above to wipe it down.
Cleaning the glass
If the glass on the door is looking a little dirty or grimy, even after you have followed the tips above with warm, soapy water, then you might want to use a special glass cleaner, instead. You should avoid using any rough sponges or scrubbing hard on the glass, as it can leave permanent marks if you’re too rough on it.
Addressing Stubborn Stains and Blemishes
There are a host of stains and blemishes that can be more difficult to remove from your door. Grease or algae from the garden can stick to the door, making it slick and gross. Bird droppings can stick hard to a door and be very difficult to remove. Mould can set in and spread, as well.
The best way to deal with stubborn stains and blemishes is to get your hands on a non-abrasive cream cleaner. You can find DIY cream cleaner solutions that often use ingredients like bicarbonate soda as a base. If you follow any of these recipes, be certain that they don’t contain abrasive ingredients that could potentially damage the door.
For stains that have significant mass, like bird droppings often do, your hose might be able to knock most of it loose. There are also composite-specific cleaners you can find which could do the trick
Again, when cleaning your composite door, you want to make sure that you’re not being too abrasive. Do not scrub hard or use hard brushes or scratchy sponges, and definitely do not use wire sponges. Similarly, you should avoid bleach, solvents, or any other abrasive cleaners as they can damage the materials.
Maintaining the Finish and Longevity of Composite Doors
Learning how to clean composite doors is vital for maintaining the visual appeal they can offer your home, but cleaning it just once isn’t going to be enough.
Make sure that you have a regular cleaning schedule, washing your door every month. If you spot specific grime or dirt, such as bird droppings, then spot-cleaning it as soon as possible is recommended. You don’t need to do too much in the way of maintenance either, outside of the door’s hardware, which can occasionally use a Teflon-based lubricant on the hinges, handles, and knockers just to keep them in good condition
Composite doors are typically weather-resistant, meaning that harsh weather conditions rarely have adverse effects on them. However, swelling due to extreme heat and sunlight can happen. Adding a UV-resistant finish can help, but typically this is only needed in the hottest climates.
How to clean a faded composite door
Composite doors are, typically, resistant to the fading and discolouration that can affect other kidneys of doors over time. If yours is starting to fade, however, due to long exposure to hard sunlight or heavy rains, then you should consider using a multi-surface plastic restorer to help bring back its vibrancy.
How to restore colour in composite doors
If using a plastic restorer isn’t enough to help you make your door as vibrant in its colour as you would prefer, then you could, instead, paint your composite door. Some composite door manufacturers warn against doing this because if you have to sand or prime the door, it might take you out of warranty. Some recommend using oil-based enamel paints, as regular paints and latex-based paints would not adhere to the surface as well.
FAQs About Cleaning Composite Doors
Can I use bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean my composite door?
No, you should avoid using these as they can wear away at the protective finish and materials beneath.
Can you use WD40 on composite doors?
It’s not recommended, as it dries too fast. Light engineering oils tend to work better.
Will cleaning my composite door affect its warranty?
Cleaning your door with a gentle cleaning solution will not void your warranty. However, using solutions including bleach, solvents, or Fairy liquid might.
How often should I clean my composite door?
Once a month should work just fine.
Can I use a pressure washer to clean my composite door?
You should avoid using a pressure washer as it can damage the door.
Conclusion
With our step-by-step cleaning guide and the tips we’ve shared in this article, you’ll now know how to clean your composite door. Remember, you typically don’t need much more than warm water and a gentle detergent.
Avoid using too much force or any abrasive agents in your cleaning. If you want to keep your door lasting long and looking beautiful, then a routine once-a-month cleaning should help you achieve precisely that.
If you’re looking to invest in a new front door for your home, then get in touch with us. Celestial are one of the leading North East Door suppliers, able to provide you with bespoke doors for your home including bi-folding doors, french doors, patio doors, panel doors and composite doors.
Take a look at our gallery to see just a sample of some of our completed projects. If you need more information, or want to speak about getting a door fitter to your home, get in touch with us today.
