Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Garage Doors

Millions of homes in Canada have garages. Your garage door is a highly visible and hard-working surface that is subjected to all sorts of use and daily wear and tear. And yet, during summer, we often neglect our garage doors and don’t provide them with the care we offer our homes, patios, windows, and other exterior areas. But now’s a good time to expand your spring and summer cleaning checklist to include your garage door. Here are some spring cleaning tips that you should use.

For optimal results, while washing the door:

• Wash the door surface and windows of your garage with mild liquid soap and water. Wash both the interior and exterior using a sponge, cloth, and soft brush.
• Don’t use harsh or abrasive detergents. They can damage the painted surface of the garage door or the seals.
• Rinse thoroughly using a hose, and do not use a pressure washer. This, too, can damage the surface.
• If you are cleaning something more stubborn than dirt or road salt—for instance, oil stains—you can spot-clean the area with a solution of water and diluted bleach. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly immediately after spot cleaning. Be sure never to mix bleach with other cleansers because the mixture will cause harmful fumes.
• Your door should be waxed every six months to protect the door’s finish. Always wash the door first and use a good quality car wax.
• If you detect surface rust, immediately contact us for inspection and repair options.
• Also, inspect and clean the weatherstrip at the bottom of the door. Applying a vinyl protectant can prolong its life. Also, we can easily replace it if it shows signs of wear or cracking. This bottom strip must be in good condition and in full contact with the garage floor. It helps to insulate your garage as well as to keep insects and rodents out.
• Finally, you should clean and organize the areas around the garage door as well. Additionally, remove any stacks or objects that could fall over and obstruct the path of the garage door or damage the track.

Clean the Interior Too

Follow the tips above for optimum results, and also try to remove any dirt or grime you can see on the interior of your garage door. One of the critical areas to pay attention to is the tracks on which the door operates. Remove any dirt or debris that you find in the tracks to prevent potential problems from occurring in the future.

While it is true that no one will be able to see the inside of your garage door from outside, keeping it well-maintained will help improve its overall durability.

Finally, contact us today if you need help with your garage door that is not cleaning related. We can help with that too. If you are in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, or Kingston, give Door Doctor’s garage door repair technicians a call to find out what we can do for you.