Over time, your garage door accumulates dirt, road dust, finger oils, eventually becoming dull and dingy. While rainwater helps keep the overhead door’s exterior clean, you should also wash it periodically to maintain the finish and improve your home’s curb appeal. Use these tips to clean the garage door the right way.

Do:

Use a mild detergent.

Mix a cup of mild detergent, such as dishwashing soap, car soap, or another low-phosphate cleanser, in five gallons of warm water. Clean the overhead door with a soft, clean cloth made of microfiber or chamois. A new, clean sponge works, as well.

After rinsing the door, spot-clean any oil stains with a diluted bleach solution. Never apply bleach before removing detergent to avoid chemical reactions that produce toxic fumes.

Clean the photo eye sensors, tracks, and behind the weatherstripping.

Use a wrung-out, clean cloth to remove dust and dirt from your garage door tracks and photo eye sensors to keep them functional. Take care not to misalign the sensors as you work since this can cause problems when opening and closing your garage door. Clean behind door weatherstripping to remove any grime buildup that could interfere with insulation.

Don’t:

Pressure wash the door or use abrasive cloths.

Never use a pressure washer to clean your overhead door. The force of the water can damage the door’s finish if it’s made of steel. A pressure washer also dislodges weatherstripping and damages soft, wooden doors, potentially leaving behind indentations or chipping paint. Damage from power washers or other materials, such as abrasive cloths that scratch the surface, voids the door’s warranty.

Clean in direct sunlight.

Wash the garage door in the early morning or evening to avoid peak sun exposure times. Cleaning the door in direct sunlight can cause chemical breakdowns in soap and protective products such as wax. This could leave the overhead door’s surface appearing chalky and streaky. If your garage door is a dark-colored, chemical breakdowns can happen even faster due to heat absorption.

Rely on the experts at Southside Garage Door Co. to provide repair and replacement services for your overhead door. They have been offering 30 years of experience and dependable service to residents throughout Dakota County, MN. You can expect their technicians to arrive on time and do the job right. Call (651) 423-7444 to speak to a friendly team member, or visit their website to schedule a free estimate.