How to Clean Iron Doors

Iron doors are a beautiful addition to your home, adding elegance, enhancing security, and offering excellent functionality. Maintaining this door is key to prolonging its life. However, proper maintenance requires knowledge and expertise. 

This fantastic guide will outline the step-by-step process of how to clean iron doors. If you’re ready to take the best care of your door, see more below!

What is an iron door?

Iron door comes from iron material, which is durable, resilient, and long-lasting. This door is functional and highly performative, which makes it ideal in entryways, industrial, and commercial spaces. With their function, they are sealed and insulated, leading to a secure and well-ventilated space. 

Additionally, iron doors are available in a wide range of styles and types, from iron front doors to iron double doors. Iron doors can also be customized based on the architectural style and needs of your space. For instance, you can customize your doors to have solid panels instead of hollow-filled insulating foam to strengthen the security of the space. 

Comprehensive Guide on How to Clean Iron Doors

It is best to take care of your iron doors regularly if you want them to continue having a visually appealing look and function well. The following are the best “how to clean iron doors” steps to guide you on the proper way of cleaning and maintaining:

Step 1: Ready the Tools and Equipment

It would help to prepare the tools and equipment you will need before you start cleaning. Here are the things you must have with you:

• Iron cleaner 
• Mild soap or detergent
• Warm water
• Bucket
• Sponge or soft-brittle brush
• Towel or absorber cloth
• Protective Gloves
• Garden hose or spray bottle
• Sealant or wax
• Rust inhibitor

Step 2: Remove Dust and Debris

Make sure that you include dusting your door in your regular cleaning. Frequent dusting should not be overlooked because dust contains water-soluble ions that lead to metal corrosion. Since iron is a metal, dust in your door can cause moisture, which can eventually cause rusting and corrosion. 

What you need to do is remove dust and debris using a dry cloth. If the dust sticks strongly in the door, deep clean it using a mild soap solution or a degreasing spray. Rinse and pat dry using a dry cloth afterward. If you want extra protection, you can apply a thin layer of wax. 

Step 3: Prepare a Cleaning Agent

The next step is to prepare your cleaning agent using warm water and mild soap or detergent combination. You can also buy ready-made iron cleaners, but you can easily use this mixture since it is all-natural. Harsh chemical mixtures are what you need to avoid since they can damage and lead to discoloration by turning the color yellow. Harsh chemicals can also damage the finish and paint, making them unaesthetic. 

Step 4: Clean the Iron Surface

When cleaning the iron surface, it would be best to use a soft-bristle brush or brush dipped in the soapy water solution. It would also be best to gently scrub the exterior of the door. If there are any spots of filth, grime, stains, and rust, you must take extra care to spot and scrub them. If there are areas hard to reach, you can use a toothbrush or cotton swab. 

Step 5: Clean the Glass Panels

This step is optional, only if your iron door contains glass panels. Cleaning the glass panels can give you a clear and streak-free view. What you will do is spray a glass cleaner or homemade solution on the surface. Next, wipe the glass with a towel or cloth using a circular motion from the top to the bottom. You can also remove any excess wetness or streak using a dry cloth. 

Step 6: Rinse thoroughly

You must give the door a good rinse after cleaning it with a soapy mixture since its residue can create an uneven surface and can be harder to iron. To ensure you rinse thoroughly, it is best to use a yard hose or a bucket with warm water. You can reduce the quantity of water you will use by using a cloth and wetting it in the water, ensuring it’s damp and not completely drenched. 

Step 7: Dry and Polish

The next step is to dry and polish the door to ensure no water residue since it can lead to corrosion. The easiest approach to doing this step is to dry the surface using a soft sponge or lint-free fabric. Additionally, if you want to accentuate the door’s shine, you can use wax or varnish. This is another layer of protection that will keep the door bright and avoid wet marks. 

Step 8: Maintain the Hardware and Hinges

Maintaining the hardware and hinges is a step that ensures the smooth operation of your iron door. What you will do is check if there is rust on the hinges, screws, or other hardware. You can also check for squeaking or grinding sounds when you open or close the door. If there are, clean the area using a clean, dry cloth. Then, use a fine steel wool pad or a wire brush to brush the affected areas. You can also tighten the loosening screw on the hardware and apply a lubricant like graphite powder. 

Step 9: Use a Rust Inhibitor

Iron doors will eventually show signs of rust, especially if they are placed in external areas. It is best to address them early by spraying a rust inhibitor on the rusting areas. This mixture will prevent the moisture and oxygen from penetrating, which prevents deterioration. You can also carefully scrape the rust from the door using a wire brush. If the rust is in the small, intricate areas, you can use a sander to remove the rust. 

Step 10: Prime and Paint

The last step is to prime and paint your door using a product that contains rust-inhibiting ingredients. The first thing you need to do is apply the primer to the whole door surface. Followed by applying metal paint after the primer has dried. Let the paint dry for 48 hours before using the door. This step will ensure that your door will look clean and new. 

Tips for Preventive Maintenance 

To prevent damage to your door, the following are the prevention tips to follow:

Clean the Door Regularly

Iron doors require rigorous cleaning labor to maintain their appearance and performance. Wiping the door to remove dirt and water would be enough. However, using a warm, soapy mixture and a gentle cloth is recommended if you will deep clean. 

Prevent Door Moisture

Another thing to do is to keep no moisture in the door since it can cause rust. If the door is placed in wet areas, wipe them after the rain or storm. You can also apply a protectant or paint coating to the surface. 

Media Blasting

Your iron door can sustain damage even if you clean it regularly. Media blasting is a process to remove chipped paint, rust, and other blemishes from your door. This process would enable your door to restore its smooth and original appearance. 

Conclusion

To find out more on how to clean iron doors, how to maintain them, and how to select an ideal design, you need an excellent manufacturer with you. The experts at Mannlee can support your door needs and navigate your way in the iron door market effectively. 

For inquiries or viewing of our iron door collection, visit Mannlee.