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5 Ways to Clean and Maintain Your Composite Door
5 Ways to Clean and Maintain Your Composite Door
You’ve invested in a premium composite door—a fantastic choice for security, style, and thermal efficiency. One of their biggest selling points is that they are incredibly low-maintenance. But “low-maintenance” doesn’t mean “no-maintenance.”
A tiny bit of care, just a few times a year, will keep your door looking and functioning as if it were brand new for decades. Here are 5 simple ways to clean and maintain your composite door.
1. The Simple Wipe-Down (For the Door Surface)
This is the main task you’ll ever need to do. The Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) skin on your door is designed to be tough, but it still collects dust, pollen, and grime.
- Get a bucket of warm, soapy water. A simple washing-up liquid is perfect.
- Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth (microfibre is ideal) to wipe down the entire door surface.
- Rinse the cloth in clean water and wipe the door again to remove any soap residue.
- Finally, dry the door with a separate, dry microfibre cloth to prevent water spots.
2. What NOT to Use (The Critical “Don’t” List)
This is just as important as what you do use. Using the wrong product can permanently damage the GRP skin and may even void your warranty.
NEVER use any of the following:
- Pressure Washers: The high-pressure jet can damage seals and force water into the door’s core.
- Abrasive Cleaners: This includes scouring pads, wire wool, or cream cleaners (like Cif), which will scratch the surface.
- Harsh Chemicals: Avoid solvents, bleach, white spirits, acetone (nail polish remover), or any cleaner with ammonia. These can strip the protective coating and fade the colour.
3. Lubricate Your Hardware (Hinges, Handles & Locks)
To keep your door operating smoothly, the moving parts need a little attention once or twice a year.
- Hinges: Apply a few drops of a light machine oil (like 3-in-One) or a silicone-based lubricant to each hinge. Open and close the door a few times to work it in, then wipe away any excess.
- Locks & Handles: A graphite-based lock lubricant is best for the key mechanism itself. For the handle’s moving parts, a light oil is fine.
4. Clean Your Door Glass (The Right Way)
If you have glazed panels, don’t let a dirty door surface spoil clean glass.
- Use any standard, non-streaking glass cleaner.
- Pro Tip: Spray the glass cleaner onto your cloth, not directly onto the door. This prevents the cleaner from dripping onto the GRP skin and leaving streaks.
- Buff the glass dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
5. Wipe Down and Check Your Weather Seals
The rubber gaskets (weather seals) around your door frame are what keep it airtight and energy efficient. They’re easy to forget, but they collect grime.
- Use your same cloth with warm, soapy water to wipe down the rubber seals.
- This not only cleans them but also gives you a chance to visually inspect them. Ensure they aren’t cracked, perished, or pulling away from the frame.
| Want to Know More About Your Door? |
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| This guide covers maintenance, but for a full breakdown of what makes your door so secure and durable, read our main pillar post: Composite Doors Explained: Benefits, Types, and Costs. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A full clean (like in Step 1) is only needed 2-4 times per year, depending on your environment. For hardware, lubricating once or twice a year is ideal. You can wipe away dust or cobwebs as needed.
No, never. The high pressure can damage the seals, force water into the core, and can even delaminate the GRP skin. A simple bucket of warm, soapy water and a soft cloth is all you need.
For minor surface scratches, you can often get a dedicated repair and polishing kit from the door manufacturer. These kits are colour-matched to your door and can buff out light scuffs.
Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.
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