Why You Should Wash Your Garage Door

Washing your garage door does wonders for prolonging the life of the door. Garage doors can last decades if treated correctly. Ideally, you should wash your door at least twice a year in the spring and fall. Choosing these two seasons offers the best timing to remove materials that have accumulated from harsh environments. For example, snow, salt and sun exposure can ruin a door’s finish. But what’s more, a good cleaning can prevent rust, increase your curb appeal and give you an opportunity to check your doors hinges, seals, tracks and springs for wear and tear.

How to Clean Your Garage Door

With a little preparation and know-how, cleaning your garage door can be both efficient and effective. Think of cleaning your garage door the same way you’d clean your vehicle.

Gather Your Supplies

Gathering your supplies before you start cleaning will ensure you don’t have to stop to get what you need. 

• Soap: The best soap you can use to clean your garage door is a mild one, and a planet-friendly dishwashing detergent is a nice bonus. Just like you would with your vehicle, mix a small amount of soap, a couple of tablespoons at most, with a couple of gallons of warm water.
• Soft Bristle Brush: A soft-bristled brush or a soft rag works best to clean your door. Make sure the brush or rag doesn’t have any particles attached that can scratch your door like rocks or pebbles. Consider using the same type of sponge you’d use on your vehicle and never use abrasive or chemical cleaners.  
• Car Wax: The same car wax you use on your vehicle to protect the finish can be used on your garage door. A nice coat of wax can revive the luster of your door panels after you've thoroughly cleaned them. Plus, the wax will serve as a barrier to salt, rain and dust.
• Step Ladder: It’s a great idea to have a sturdy step ladder handy to reach the top of the door. Don’t risk standing on less-than-stable surfaces or your cleaning project could end with a trip to the ER.

Cleaning the Door

Take a page out of the same book you’d use to clean your vehicle when it comes to washing your residential garage door.

• Brush away loose dirt and debris. Use a dry broom, brush or cloth to remove dirt, cobwebs or other particles that have lodged themselves in your garage door. (Don’t use the same brush or rag to soap up your door.)
• Hose down the door. Hose down the outside of your garage door with water. As a bonus, a good spray nozzle will loosen any remaining debris.
• Scrub from the top down. Just like while washing your vehicle, start cleaning your door from the top down. Use circular motions to thoroughly remove grime and dirt that’s caked on the door. Rinse as you go and don’t forget to scrub the weather stripping and trim.
• Work on the stains. Put some elbow grease into working out any stubborn stains that your initial wash left behind. 
• Repeat the process on the inside. While washing the inside of the door might be trickier, it can be done. Just be careful not to get the mechanisms or outlets wet. Concentrate your hose’s nozzle on the door or use a bucket of clean water to help with the rinsing.
• Wax the dry door. Wipe down your door and once it’s dry, apply a layer of wax according to the manufacturer's directions. 

Inspecting and Lubricating Your Door

Once your door is clean, take the time to check over the door, lubricating the springs, rollers and tracks to help reduce the friction caused by daily wear and tear. Use a silicon-based lubricant to get the job done. Silicone-based lubricants are long-lasting, provide moisture resistance and do a good job of working their way into tight hinges, springs and other hard-to-penetrate areas. Because they’re weather resistant, they’re a great choice for cold winters and hot summers.

Cleaning your door makes it look great, but will also shine a spotlight on anything that might be broken or not functioning properly. If you do see something that doesn’t look right. Contact Overhead Door and one of our technicians can come out and professionally inspect it.