The Best Way To Clean A Garage Door, According To Cleaning Pros

We can bet that your garage door is probably one of the last areas of your home you think to clean. Unfortunately, it's one of the first things people notice when pulling up to your driveway and one of the most overlooked when it comes to regular cleaning and maintenance. Between pollen, dirt, cobwebs, and whatever the weather decides to throw at it, garage doors take a beating year-round without most homeowners giving them a second thought.

The good news is that cleaning your garage doors is easier than you might expect. And doing it regularly goes a long way in protecting both their appearance and longevity. Below, we asked Brian and Jen Boyle, owners of MaidThis Cleaning and members of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board , to walk us through everything you need to know about how to clean a garage door. 

How Often Should You Clean A Garage Door?

According to Brian, garage doors are an often overlooked part of the home that seem to only get cleaned around the time of buying or selling the home. "And while there is no need for weekly or monthly cleanings, semi-annual or (at the bare minimum) annual cleanings of your garage door will keep your entire home looking and feeling its best," he explains. 

Know Your Garage Door Material

"Garage doors come in all different shapes and sizes, along with different materials as well," says Brian. "And it can be said that if you have seen one garage door, well…you've only seen one garage door." While the cleaning process is generally the same across the board, it's worth knowing what yours is made of so you can avoid anything that might damage the finish.

Steel

Steel is one of the most common garage door materials, and it's pretty forgiving when it comes to cleaning. The main thing to watch out for is rust. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals that could scratch the surface and compromise the protective coating over time.

Aluminum

Aluminum garage doors are lightweight and resistant to rust, making them a low-maintenance option. They can be prone to denting, so steer clear of stiff-bristled brushes and stick to a soft cloth or sponge when cleaning.

Vinyl

Vinyl is one of the easiest materials to clean since it won't rust, rot, or fade easily. It's also very durable. That being said, harsh chemical cleaners can cause the surface to crack or discolor over time, so mild soap and water are your best bet.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass garage doors are lightweight and resistant to denting, but the surface can be more delicate than steel or aluminum. Avoid anything abrasive, and be gentle around any painted or stained finishes.

Wood

Wood garage doors are beautiful but, unsurprisingly, require the most care. Excess moisture is the biggest concern, so avoid soaking the surface and dry it thoroughly after cleaning. Harsh chemicals can also strip the finish or sealant, so stick to a gentle, diluted soap solution.

What You'll Need

• Cobweb duster or dry rag

• Shop vacuum

• Mild dish soap or outdoor-specific cleaner

• Warm water

• Bucket

• Soft sponge or microfiber cloth

• Hard-bristle brush 

• Hose or power washer 

• Glass cleaner 

• Matching exterior paint

• Car wax 

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Clear the area

Before you start, move any items stored near the door or door frame on both sides. If your garage is due for a declutter, this is a great time to reorganize as well.

Step 2: Remove cobwebs and loose debris

"Starting at the top and working your way down, remove any cobwebs and loose dirt from the door, frame, and the walls and ceiling surrounding the door," suggests Jen. "Do this on both the interior and exterior sides. A dry rag, shop vacuum, cobweb duster, or a combination of all three will do the trick here."

Step 3: Wash the door

Depending on the size of your door, you can use a hose, a power washer on a low setting, or a bucket of soapy water and a sponge to remove any remaining dirt and debris. "If it's been a while since your last clean, you may need a hard-bristle brush to get around hinges, hardware, and tracks," says Brian. "There are also outdoor-specific cleaning products that work well with a hose or power washer to help loosen aged dirt and grime with less scrubbing."

Step 4: Clean the windows

If your garage door has windows, hand-wipe and clean them separately to prevent streaking or water marks.

Step 5: Do a final rinse

Once you're satisfied with the clean, give both the front and back of the door one final rinse. If your garage door happens to have windows, be sure to hand-wipe and clean the window itself to prevent streaking or water marks. 

Inspect While You Clean

Cleaning your garage door is a great time to give it a closer look and catch any small issues before they turn into big ones. Here's what to keep an eye on while you're at it:

Weatherstripping

Check the weatherstripping along the bottom and sides of the door for any cracks or gaps. Damaged weatherstripping can let in water, pests, and drafts, and is an easy fix when caught early.

Hinges

Look for any hinges that appear loose, bent, or rusty. Loose hinges can affect how smoothly your door opens and closes. It's worth tightening them up before they cause a bigger problem.

Rollers

Give the rollers a quick inspection for wear or cracking—worn rollers can make your garage door noisy and less efficient over time.

Tracks

Check that the tracks on both sides of the door are properly aligned and free of dents or debris. 

Rust

Keep an eye out for any rust spots, particularly around hinges, hardware, and the bottom of the door. Catching rust early makes it much easier to treat before it spreads.

Paint chips

If you have a painted garage door, take note of any areas where the paint is chipping or peeling. "You will want to make sure to avoid using high-pressure power washing and even hand scrubbing if you notice paint is chipping or peeling," warns Brian. "Oftentimes, using a small amount of regular old dish soap and water and just letting it soak on the surface is enough to help keep your door clean in these situations. Just make sure to rinse with clean water after you are satisfied the soap has done its job."

Loose hardware

Give any bolts, brackets, and screws a quick once-over to make sure nothing has worked itself loose. A simple tightening with a wrench or screwdriver can go a long way in keeping your door opening and closing without any issues. 

How To Keep Your Garage Door Looking Clean Longer

There are a few things you can do to try and keep your garage door looking clean for longer, so you don't have to do a deep clean as often. Jen recommends using a cobweb duster on a regular basis (every couple of weeks to monthly). "This will go a long way in helping your garage and home feel better," she says. "In the summer months, if you are out watering your lawn or plants and have your hose handy, a quick rinse of your garage door every so often can also go a long way."

If you notice small chips or scratches on a painted garage door, you'll want to touch them up sooner rather than later. If left unaddressed, chips can expose the underlying material to moisture and lead to rust or rot, depending on what your door is made of. Keep a small amount of matching exterior paint on hand, so you're ready to do a quick touch-up when needed.

Finally, if your garage door is a painted metal door, check the manufacturer's recommendations to see if waxing is advised. A coat of car wax applied after cleaning can help protect the finish and keep the surface looking shiny and new for longer. It also creates a barrier that makes future cleaning easier, as dirt and grime are less likely to stick to a waxed surface.

Mistakes To Avoid

There are a few mistakes people often make when cleaning their garage door—the biggest one involving abrasive scrub pads. These can scratch and dull the surface of your door, especially on painted or coated finishes, and the damage is difficult to reverse. Stick to a soft sponge or microfiber cloth instead.

Along the same lines, harsh solvents and chemical cleaners can strip the finish, fade paint, and damage certain door materials over time. When in doubt, mild dish soap and water are almost always the safer choice.

When power-washing, more pressure isn't always better. High-pressure washing can force water into seals and crevices, damage weatherstripping, and strip paint—especially on doors that are already showing signs of chipping or peeling. If you're using a power washer, keep it on a low setting and maintain a safe distance from the surface.

Frequently asked Questions

Can I use dish soap to clean my garage door?

Yes, Brian and Jen recommend using a mild dish soap to clean garage doors, regardless of the door's material. 

Is it safe to pressure wash a garage door?

"If you do use a pressure washer, always start with the lightest setting and a wide spray, and then only move to a higher setting and a narrower spray if you are sure the door can handle it and/or the dirt/grime buildup is not removed using less intensity," explains Brian. 

Read the original article on Southern Living