The right garage doors are well-coordinated with the exterior of your house and add to your home’s aesthetic — but they can only do this if you keep them clean and well-maintained. To do this, you need to wash them periodically. Thankfully, cleaning your overhead doors is a straightforward task, with additional benefits for your door’s upkeep besides keeping it clean.

How to Keep Garage Doors Clean

1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Start cleaning your garage doors whenever they begin to look dingy. This doesn’t require any harsh chemicals, and in fact, the wrong cleaner can ruin the surface of the door. Instead, use a mild mixture of water and a small amount of dish soap.

2. Use a Sponge or Cloth

In a similar vein, a heavy-duty scrub brush is the wrong choice for your overhead door and will do more harm than good. Instead, use a soft cloth or sponge for cleaning. If this isn’t enough for stubborn stains like oil spots, move to using a bleach and water mixture with a soft sponge.

3. Inspect While You Wash

As you go over the surface of your garage door, look for any signs of damage or deterioration. Rust, mold, and surface damage are beyond the scope of an ordinary wash and may need professional attention.

4. Rinse With a Hose

Once you’ve gone over the surface with either soap or bleach, use a garden hose to rinse it away. In most cases, a power washer is too strong for your garage door.

5. Wax Afterward

Once your garage door is clean and has had a chance to dry, a layer of wax similar to what you use on your car will help keep it in good condition. However, some brands and finishes can be damaged by wax or simply don’t need it, so check with the garage door service that provided your doors.

If you notice a problem with your garage doors while washing or have a question about maintenance, ask at Williamsport, PA’s Overhead Door Co. of Lycoming County, a division of Schrader Architectural Products. Their quality doors include a full range of materials and designs, from steel and aluminum to wood, fiberglass, and vinyl. To speak to them about the dependable installation and maintenance services of The Genuine, Original Overhead Door Company, call (570) 326-4749 or reach out online. You can also find them on Facebook.