How to Clean a Front Door

Introduction

If your front door is starting to look like it's seen better days, don't worry. You can clean it if you know how to approach the job correctly. We've got some tips for how to clean a front door, no matter what type of material you're dealing with.

For wood-panel doors:

If you have a wood-panel door, here’s the best way to clean it:

• Use a sponge to wipe down the door.

• Use a damp cloth to wipe down the door.

• Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the door. This will give you an extra-clean finish and remove any remaining dirt or grime that was left behind from using just water alone in step 3 above. You can use any mild detergent on this type of cloth, but we recommend using [this one](https://www.amazon.com/shops/sotomi) for best results!

For painted wood doors:

• Use a clean cloth to wipe the door.

• Use a soft scrubbing pad to remove dirt from the door if needed, then wipe it with another clean cloth and let it dry thoroughly before applying any polish or waxes that you want to use for protection and shine (see below).

For fiberglass and composite doors:

• Use a damp cloth to wipe down the door itself and the surrounding frame.

• Use a soft cloth to clean the window (avoid using paper towels—they can leave behind fibers or residue).

• You may want to use a mild detergent if there are tough stains on the glass, but be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterward so that there’s no residue left behind.

• Dry your door and frame with another dry cloth. Be sure to dry both inside and out, as moisture can lead to mold growth if left unchecked for too long!

For glass doors:

If you have a glass door, use a clean, soft sponge with warm water to wipe down the surface. Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners (e.g., Windex), bleach or lemon juice. Petroleum products can damage the glass and make it cloudy over time.

You can clean a front door efficiently.

To clean a front door, you'll need to know how the door is made. Then you can use one of these methods:

• With a soft cloth. Use the cloth in small circular motions to clean the surface of your door. Wet it if necessary, or dampen it with water only if you don't have detergent available.

• With a vacuum cleaner. Use an attachment that doesn't have any sharp edges or bristles to remove dirt from cracks and crevices in your door and frame without damaging them by rubbing too hard against them with an ordinary vacuum attachment like what's used for carpet or upholstery cleaning (which can scratch wood surfaces).

Conclusion

If you have a front door that looks great, but it's a little dirty or stained, don't worry! You can get your front door looking like new again.

Here's how to clean a front door in four simple steps: