Nothing quite beats a solid wood door and its natural beauty. Whether it’s a timber entrance door or an internal door, it’s unique. Each solid wooden door has a different and varied grain making it truly one-of-a-kind.
As a natural material, it needs to be protected and maintained. With minimal care, it will look pristine for many years.
If you have a wooden entrance door and live to the ocean, be mindful that the salt can impact the door. If your house is in a built-up area, a wooden from door can get dirty from car fumes.
The recommendation is to clean your doors fortnightly or at least monthly.
Dust your door
You dust down wooden furniture, so you should do the same with a solid wooden door. Dust can be damaging to your door as well as look unsightly. Over time it can wear down a door’s protective coating making it more susceptible to scratches.
Dust and cobwebs gather around doors and their frames. You can use a feather duster, but you may find it easier to dust with a clean paintbrush because it can get into corners and areas that are tricky to reach.
Wash it down
Next, wash your door with mild soap and water mixed in a bowl. Use a soft, non-abrasive sponge and some elbow grease dipping it into the soapy water to remove any minor marks or dirt. Don’t use too strong a soap, or you may damage the integrity of the wood. Always check the door is dry after cleaning by wiping it down with a towel.
Tackling stains that won’t shift
For hard-to-remove stains, use white liquid spirit. Wear rubber gloves because prolonged contact can cause skin irritation, drying and cracking. Wipe the wood door with clean water once you’ve finished and dry the surface.
For these stains, try the following approach:
- Grease – Mix ammonia with cold water, apply to a towel and rub on the stain.
- Any dye – Mix baking soda with lemon juice and rub it into the stain with a sponge. Once lifted off, rinse with water.
- Thick pen markers – Toothpaste can work wonders on marker stains on wooden doors. Use a lint-free cloth to rub it in, then rinse with water.
Make door handles shine
A door handle and the door plate can get dirty because of different people touching them. Increased contact can lead to an increase in bacteria growth. Wipe down the handles with a cleaning spray that also sanitises.
Buff and polish
Finally, it’s a buff and polish your wooden door. Apply a thin layer of polish along the grain before adding another layer. Liquid furniture polish will bring out the sheen of the wood.
Real estate agents say solid wood doors are a great selling feature that adds value to your home.
At Door Stop, we sell a vast range of affordable, superior-quality doors. We're dedicated to first-class customer service and offer a price match guarantee. Come and visit one of our showrooms in either Joondalup or Osborne Park to see the wide range of doors for yourself. With close to 40 years of industry experience and outstanding reviews, we can advise you on all your door requirements to find what’s best suited to your home.
