Aluminium sliding patio doors transform the look of a home or business with large expanses of glass and thin frames resulting in lighter and warmer rooms. Doors are easy to use, slide smoothly on tracks which take up very little space and, with very little maintenance, aluminium sliding patio doors will work perfectly for years to come.
Over time doors will become dirty from airborne dust, birds, insects and car exhaust fumes and it is important not to neglect your doors as the build-up of grime and dirt over time will increase the risk of damage.
So, what do you need to do to keep your doors in great working order?
Firstly, you will need a few items…
- Mild detergent suitable cleaning for metal surfaces
- Microfiber cleaning cloths
- Warm water
- Plastic bucket
- Glass cleaner
- Nylon bristle brush
- Vacuum cleaner
- Silicone based lubricant
Once you have everything ready, then simply follow the steps below…
- Use warm soapy water, not abrasive chemicals as they could damage the door finish
- Use a microfiber cloth soaked in the soapy water and wash down the frames – remove excess moisture with a dry cloth
- Make sure you clean the corners and crevices where the dirt builds up – use a vacuum cleaner to pick up loose particles
- Glass – remove the obvious dust and dirt on the surface, use the microfibre cloth first and then use a damp cloth. Follow up with a glass cleaner, using a dry microfibre cloth, top to bottom, right to left.
- Hardware – When cleaning the handles and locks, use warm soapy and water, then rinse with clean water. Do not use abrasive cleaners
- Weatherstrips – inspect them first to make sure they aren’t cracked, torn or missing – if they are, then you will need to have them replaced. If they are dirty, use soapy water to clean them, then rinse with clean water and dry
- And finally, use a silicone-based lubricant for the joints, hinges and locking systems. Make sure the joints are nice and dry first.
A few things to remember; do not use commercial cleaning agents, they may be capable of stripping off paint finishes, don’t wash your door with a pressure washer and don’t use scouring pads.
If you tackle the cleaning 3-4 times a year, this will ensure your EasySlide aluminium sliding doors not only look good, but they will function as they should – smoothly and easily.
