How to Clean Your Door Knobs, Hinges, Handles and Knockers

How to Clean Your Door Knobs, Hinges, Handles and Knockers

April 13, 2021

In terms of dirty household items, door hardware has to be right up there near the top. With so many different hands touching the knobs and levers throughout the day, they’re sure to be germ-ridden. That’s why cleaning door handles in Colorado is so important.

But it’s important to note that not all types of knobs, hinges, handles and knockers can be cleaned the same way. You have to take the hardware’s material into account before cleaning it. This post will cover how to clean the most popular hardware materials.

Solid brass and copper hardware

Solid brass and copper door knobs can be cleaned using the same technique. First, create a paste using equal parts flour, vinegar and salt—a tablespoon of each should be a good starting point. Next, gently rub the paste onto the door knob and let it sit for a few minutes before buffing it off with a soft cloth.

Stainless steel hardware

Stainless steel can be cleaned by wiping the handle down with a damp, soapy cloth and rinsing it with clean water. For that stuck-on grime, a mixture of olive oil and vinegar should do the trick.

Knowing what not to use on stainless steel is just as important as understanding how to clean it. Products containing chlorine bleach or chloride should never be used, nor should steel wool or oven cleaners. Any of these products can permanently damage the finish.

Silver hardware

Silver and silver-plated door knobs can become tarnished rather quickly if they’re not cared for properly. To clean these pieces, you’ll need to first remove the hardware from each door. Place the knobs in an aluminum tray filled with one cup of baking soda and cover them with boiling water. The tarnish from the silver will quickly disappear and leave you with like-new knobs.

This method of cleaning door knobs in Colorado isn’t the fastest or easiest, but it’s the best way to keep your silver looking great.

Pewter hardware

To clean pewter door knobs, you’ll first need to stop by the produce section at the grocery store. It sounds strange, but you can actually clean pewter by rubbing cabbage leaves over the surface! After firmly rubbing cabbage leaves on all surfaces, buff them with a soft cloth to make them shine once again.

Crystal or glass hardware

Door knobs made of crystal or glass add a touch of elegance to any room. Unfortunately, built-up grime is easy to identify on these knobs and handles. The good news is that cleaning these knobs is as easy as spraying them with an all-purpose cleaner and wiping them down with a cloth. You may need to reapply and scrub a few times, depending on how deep the grime is.

Consider investing in new door hardware

Door hardware only lasts for so long before it starts looking shoddy. If your knobs, hinges, handles or knockers are outdated, talk to our team about buying new hardware. On top of knowing all of the tricks for cleaning door locks in Colorado, Custom Door Hardware has decades of experience selling the best hardware at affordable prices.

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