How do I clean my front door? The 5 most important tips and tricks for cleaning and caring for doors

Clean flat doors? Absolutely! Because just like furniture, radiators and windows, they need regular care. Doors should therefore be included in house cleaning once or twice a year. In addition to house dust, dirty fingers and skin grease, moisture and nicotine are to blame for doors becoming stained or even yellowing. Björn Baier is Head of Improvement Management and Quality Assurance at PRÜM. By profession, he always keeps a critical eye on ensuring that all doors leave the factory in perfect condition. Here he gives tips on how to keep them looking good for a long time.

"In principle, all PRÜM doors are easy to clean. Whether CPL, veneer, with glass elements or lacquer: lightly soiled door surfaces can be wiped or dusted with a soft cotton cloth or a damp chamois leather. By the way: The same applies to door handles, door frames and door locks.

Is the dirt more stubborn? Then warm soapy water or mild washing-up liquid will usually help. The cotton cloth or chamois leather is also the right choice here."

"Specialist dealers have a special cleaner that is designed for the door and can even help with dirty lacquered doors.

But be careful: especially with wood, wood veneer and lacquered doors, it is best to test each cleaner and cloth on a small, inconspicuous area of the door first. Some of them clean a CPL surface without any problems, but can cause damage to a lacquered door. In general, PRÜM doors with CPL are tough: They can withstand cigarette burns and many harsh cleaners, for example, and are immune to most impacts or abrasion. However, this does not apply to the same extent to doors with a wood or lacquer finish."

The most common mistakes when cleaning doors

• Harsh cleaning agents, such as scouring milk or cleaning agents containing alcohol or vinegar, are not a good idea.
• Microfibre cloths or sponges: they can leave scratches on lacquered and wooden doors.
• Wet wipe: This can cause the wood to swell.
• Rubbing alcohol for doors with glass cut-outs can cause damage to the paintwork and wood of the door.

"You should also use water sparingly: Too much moisture or even wetness damages the door and also the frame, as the wood can swell. Then the dirt may be gone, but the door won't close and won't look nice.

After all, doors are also made of wood. And this reacts just as sensitively to moisture as it does to strong temperature fluctuations. Instead of lots of water and cleaning agents, a gentle cleaner from a specialist door dealer can help with heavily soiled doors."

4. clean white lacquer and wooden doors gently!

"Lacquered doors are more sensitive than doors with CPL surfaces. Basically, it's best to treat your door like furniture: after all, your wardrobe will also be damaged if you rub it with a sponge, microfibre cloth or scouring cream."

"If you have sealed the door frames with silicone towards the floor, you are protecting the door in a sensitive area: otherwise it can be damaged quickly and permanently, especially near the floor."

"Treat your doors like a wardrobe or other valuable piece of furniture. Then they will remain well-maintained and functional for a long time," advises Björn Baier.

• Place door stoppers in the right place.
• It is best to open and close doors using the handle, not the door leaf. This saves stubborn, greasy handle marks and dirty fingers.
• Stickers do not belong on doors or door frames. This is because they often cannot be removed without leaving residue. The door is then damaged.
• What room climate prevails in front of and behind each door? Depending on the environment and temperature situation, a door needs the right climate class.
• Do not slam doors shut, do not kick against them
• and do not hang any loads on the door handles or door leaves.

Specialist retailer search: The right cleaners and special care tips for your door can be found here: www.tuer.de/service/haendlersuche.html