How To Clean And Maintain Wood Windows And Doors

The windows and doors in our homes are constantly exposed to dust, airborne dirt, intense sunlight, moisture, wind, and other external elements. It’s natural for them to get damaged with time. Wooden doors and window frames, in particular, are extremely prone to these damages. First, the finishes of the doors and windows degrade due to these damages.

If these damages are not addressed on time, they may become permanent and start damaging the underlying wooden or concrete structures as well. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix for preventing these types of damages – inspecting the doors and windows regularly to identify any cleaning or maintenance needs. Periodic cleaning and maintenance can prolong the lives of your doors and windows so that they continue doing their vital jobs.

Here’s the definitive guide to cleaning your wooden doors and windows without the worry of imposing unwanted, unnecessary damage on them –

Noticing the Symptoms of Damages

The first step for all cures is identifying the symptoms. The wooden doors and windows in our homes constantly give us signs that they need maintenance and cleaning. Here are some signs homeowners must watch out for –

• Rotting timber
• Peeling paint
• Raised wood grains
• Dents in the finish
• Bubbles or dark streaks in the finish

If you notice any of the above wood-damage symptoms, start cleaning the wooden doors and windows and perform the necessary maintenance work.

Cleaning Wooden Doors and Windows

• The harmful contaminants, dirt, and soot that your wooden doors and windows pick up with time are acidic in nature. They need to be washed off regularly. Or else they can permanently damage the finishes.
• Homeowners must thoroughly clean their wooden doors and windows (the wooden window frames in particular) inside and out, at least three to four times a year, ideally in the summer months.
• Use soft microfiber cloths and water mixed with mild and non-abrasive cleaning agents. These mild and non-abrasive cleaning agents won’t damage the finishes, but they will remove all dust, dirt, and other contaminants.
• Mild and non-abrasive detergent solutions also discourage the growth of algae and fungi on wooden doors and windows.
• Make sure to rinse the doors and windows thoroughly with plain water after you’re finished wiping down the surfaces. Remove any soapy residue, and the surfaces dry out completely.
• While cleaning window panes, make sure the cleaning agents don’t go inside the timber frames. The same rule applies when cleaning weather seals or trickle vents.
• Never saturate the doors and windows completely. Use microfiber cloths or sponges to tackle one region at a time.

Cleaning the Hinges and Locks on Wooden Doors and Windows

There are other regions of your wooden doors and windows that deserve your attention. We’re talking about the hinges and locks. These moving parts enable movement. So, they also need to be cleaned and maintained from time to time.

• Make sure to lubricate the hinges and locks of your wooden doors and windows with light oil two to three times a year.
• If your wooden doors and windows have locking systems (e.g., an espagnolette locking system), apply lubricating oil to their frames every few months. By doing so, you’ll ensure the locking devices don’t get tight or stuck due to moisture damage.
• Always use soft cloths or sponges and non-abrasive detergents to clean the other parts of your wooden doors and windows (door handles, window plates, etc.)

Maintaining Your Wooden Doors and Windows

The amount of maintenance your wooden doors and windows will require depends on a lot of factors. Wooden doors and windows with high-quality, anti-moisture topcoats require far less maintenance than those with no protective finishes. That’s why the types of finishes your wooden doors and windows receive are vital.

A good finish will ensure that your wooden doors and windows don’t require much cleaning or maintenance to stay durable and functional. You’ll only need to touch up the areas of the wooden doors and windows that suffer from visible signs of damage over time.

Buy from Reputable Sellers

When purchasing wooden doors and windows, you should be provided with details about how to care for, clean, and maintain them. Only the best sellers of wooden doors and windows offer these types of value-added bonuses. That’s why homeowners prefer buying LESSO doors & windows. This company only uses high-quality wood and perlite to create strong, durable, and fire-resistant doors and windows.

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