The Spot On Your Sliding Glass Doors You're Forgetting To Clean (And How To Do It)

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Sliding glass doors are an excellent way to let more light travel through your home, but not if they're so dirty and smudged that they look opaque. To keep the glass clear, it's a good idea to clean your sliding doors at least once a month. However, to boost your sliding glass door's life expectancy, it's important to not only clean the glass and exterior trim, but the hardware as well.

Handles, hinges, locks, and other hardware components are often overlooked when cleaning doors, but neglecting to scrub these elements can lead to a decrease in the door's functionality. If not cleaned regularly, the buildup of dust and grime may loosen hinges, cause them to squeak, or make it difficult to fully latch the door. Not to mention, a dirty veneer can ruin the beauty of intricately carved metal or crystal hardware. Since many sliding glass doors are exposed to the elements, they can accumulate dirt faster, which is just another reason to clean them regularly.

Regardless of the hardware's material, every cleaning process starts with removing the hardware from the door. This way, you can ensure every inch of both the door and its components gets clean, without worrying about getting any rogue cleaning chemicals on the door itself.

Once removed, put the hardware in a tub of warm soapy water, and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away the dirt from the smaller nooks and crannies. A toothbrush will work; just avoid using anything abrasive, such as steel wool, to prevent scratches — especially when dealing with brass-plated hardware. Don't let the hardware sit in the water longer than a few minutes, and be sure to fully dry each piece to prevent water spots and rust. If you're dealing with older metal hardware like brass and copper, you can also use salt and vinegar to make the antique door handles shine.

Before reattaching the hardware to the door, you may want to take a few extra minutes to apply an anti-rust spray to everything so your hard work doesn't go to waste; WD-40 Specialist Corrosion Inhibitor is a classic choice. After reinstalling everything, you should also apply a lubricant – regular WD-40 Penetrant works for this – to all the moving parts to keep them working smoothly.

When it comes to cleaning, it's easy to forget the small details, like doorknobs and hinges, but keeping these elements grime-free is vital if you want an operational sliding glass door. Not to mention, well-tended hardware can be eye-catching in its own right (though you can always add more character to your sliding glass doors with a renter-friendly hack).