BLOG/ White Wooden Doors: Check out these 5 cleaning tips!

Learn how to keep white wooden doors bright and clean in this article.

When we tidy up our houses, we often neglect to tend to one of the surfaces we touch the most- our doors! White wooden doors compliment nearly every aesthetic, from classic to modern. The color white sends a message of cleanliness, simplicity and clarity.

Life can get messy, and doors are often the first thing we touch on our way to get clean. They need a little TLC to maintain their stylistic integrity.

The sections of the door that get the brunt of our abuse are around the doorknob and the bottom of the door, which often come into contact with our dirty shoes.

From grubby fingerprints around the handle to that one boot mark you left while trying to hold the door open, we will give you easy solutions to maintain beautiful white wooden doors and consequently, a beautiful home.

Disinfect and Dust

One of the easiest door care routines to implement is to disinfect doorknobs. Use your favorite cleaning wipe, or disinfectant spray, on a soft towel to wipe down all the nooks and crannies you touch with your hand.

This is especially important during the colder months, when we are more likely to both spend time inside and catch that cold that’s been going around.

Before washing your doors, take a moment to dust them.Water tends to smear dust around and make it look worse, so be thorough with this step.

A clean paintbrush works wonders on removing dust from molding and trim- it reaches into cracks and grooves much better than feather dusters or rags. A clean cloth will do the trick for the majority of the door.

Once you have finished the detail work, do a once-over by wiping off the door with a clean rag to remove any last dust bunnies.

Washing

You may be tempted to break out the same spray you use on your counter tops, but these solvents can be damaging to the finish, paint or even the wood itself.

Most of the grime that shows up on painted doors is caused by oily fingerprints gripping onto dirt, which is why cleaning with only water is ineffective.

A diluted solution of mild dish soap and water is tough enough to get the job done, but will be gentle on the door. One tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water should do the trick!

Make sure you test your cleaning solution on a part of the door that is not clearly visible, just in case it does not react well with your paint or finish.

Once your solution has proven to be safe to use, you can use a cloth or clean sponge dipped in your solution to wipe the door down. First, wring out the cloth or sponge and methodically wipe down the surface of the door.

Excess water can leave marks on painted surfaces, so do what you can to avoid letting the solution drip down the door! Follow up by rising the surface with a damp, soap free cloth. Wipe the door with a clean, dry towel to prevent any drip marks. Don’t forget to wash the frame as well!

Tough Stains

Sometimes soap and water isn’t strong enough to remove stains. If you have really stubborn stains, try using a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water. It is inexpensive, non-toxic and very effective. It does, however, have a strong smell. In spite of the initial potency of the smell, vinegar actually has a deodorizing effect Mix one cup of vinegar with 4 cups of water for a potent, but gentle cleaning solution.

No matter how tough the stain is, it is important not to use a strong solution, like mineral spirits, that could remove the paint and turn a simple cleaning day into a restoration project you did not anticipate.

Removing Scratches

Buffing white wooden doors can remove mild scuff marks. If buffing doesn’t work on your mild scuffs, a paste of baking soda and water can be used to rub the area with a non-abrasive pad. The baking soda exfoliates and gently abrades for a deeper clean.

If the scuffs is not resolved with this method, the area of the scuffs may need to be repainted to get you back to that clean, white look.

For deep scuffs and light scratches, first sand around the scuff mark to give it an even finish. Make sure you have an exact match to your original paint to get a seamless look that no one will notice! Once you have sanded and found the right paint, carefully paint the blemish with a small brush.

Preventative Care

Now that you have deep cleaned your doors, it will be easier to maintain a clean appearance in less time with some simple maintenance techniques.

Dust your doors frequently and wipe fresh stains with a damp cloth to keep them from settling in. With these quick techniques, you can save yourself a lot of time and keep your white wooden doors looking their best.