Interior doors are often forgot about when cleaning your home, yet dirt and grime builds up over time, especially where contact is made with and around the door handles. Frequent cleaning doesn’t only improve the appearance and increase the time in that a door can go without redecorating but if sanitised while cleaning with an antibacterial spray it will also reduce germs and bacteria spreading throughout your home.

1) The first place to start cleaning is at the top of your door. Dust the top door frame using a slightly damp cloth.  

2) Clean the entire door frame removing dirty fingerprints and smudges. For this you can use either a multi-purpose spray cleaner and towel or warm soapy water and sponge. Be sure to dry the frame with a clean towel after.

3) If you have varnished or wax sealed wood doors it is best to use an oil soap. Apply the oily soap cleaner to an old towel and wipe down the surface of the door in the direction of the wood grain. After you have applied the oil based cleaning soap use another soft clean towel to remove any excess cleaner and buff the door to improve its shine.

4) Painted and laminated doors can be cleaned using multi-purpose cleaning sprays or warm soapy water. Wipe the door from the top to the bottom using a clean soft towel ensuring you clean any grooves or ledges.

5) Don’t forget to clean the narrow edge of the door, the strip that you can’t see when the door is closed. This part usually attracts a lot of dirt, especially around hand level, or when you have small children that shut the door from the edge instead of reaching up for the handle.

6) Once you have cleaned the entire door and frame, use a fresh clean towel or soft rag to thoroughly dry the door and buff polish the finish.

7) Cleaning methods for the door handles and other items of door furniture depends on the manufacturing materials and finish. If you are unsure of the best cleaning product then warm water with a mild soap is usually suitable. Apply sparingly with a clean soft towel and avoid water from entering the door latch or locking mechanism. Use another towel or rag to dry and buff polish the door furniture.

8) After having cleaned the door, frame and door furniture you can oil the door hinges, and apply an antibacterial coating spray to the handles.

Repeating these tips on all of the doors throughout your home each time you clean will improve their appearance and lead to longer lasting doors.

If cleaning is no longer the answer and the time has come to repaint your doors then read our article 8 tips for painting interior doors.