How to clean patio doors is a mind bogging subject for many homeowners since it is tricky to avoid scratching and streaking while cleaning. Our patio doors, unlike our conventional wooden doors, require special care. It is important to maintain them clean and presentable.
Patio glass doors are breathtaking. They let in light, creating a welcoming vibe to your home while offering a great view of your garden. However, the patio glass door will get stains and smudges that will get in the way of your lovely view, making cleaning them very crucial.
Cleaning a patio door can be challenging, especially if you have a frameless glass system. Luckily the tips below will help you keep your patio door clean year around.
Contents
- How to Clean Patio Doors
- 1. Prepping
- 2. Make your streak-free glass cleaner
- 3. Cleaning the screens
- 4. Cleaning the tracks
- FAQs About Cleaning Patio Doors
- What is the best way to clean a glass patio door?
- Why is my sliding door hard to open?
- How do you clean a sliding glass door frame?
- Why does my patio glass door fog up?
- Author
How to Clean Patio Doors
1. Prepping
Before starting the cleaning process, you must ensure you have the right supplies. You won’t have to buy these supplies since most of them are easily available at home. They include the following
- Water
- White vinegar
- Paper towel
- Vacuum
- toothbrush
- Soft cloth
- Non-abrasive household cleaner like dish soap
- Spray bottle
- Essential oil
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2. Make your streak-free glass cleaner
A natural glass cleaner is the best option. Though traditional glass cleaner may seem like the best option to remove stains from your patio glass door, they contain ammonia or alcohol that causes streaking. The chemical-based glass cleaner attracts dust, and moisture is not rinsed off properly.
To make your streak-free glass cleaner, you will need clean distilled water, dish soap vinegar, and essential oil. Add 4 cups of water to 2 cups of white vinegar, one tablespoon of dish soap, and then add six drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, then shake. The acidity of white vinegar will help to prevent streaking.
If you come across a stubborn stain while cleaning, apply a solvent like rubbing alcohol to that spot, wipe it dry and then continue cleaning with your natural glass cleaner. Chemicals can cause harm to your family.
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3. Cleaning the screens
Now that your natural glass cleaner is ready, start by wiping the dust on your patio glass door using a soft cloth or paper towel. Cleaning the actual glass is a messy lay a rag, especially if you live in an apartment. The soapy runoff will drip down the side of the building.
Start with one side of the sliding patio door, use a piece of clean, soft cloth to soak the entire glass with water saturated with soap. Let it sit in for a few minutes to loosen stubborn stains. Then start wiping off the soapy solution from top to bottom using a clean paper towel of a soft cloth.
Also read: how to clean big dirty porch screens
Generously apply the glass cleaning solution on the entire surface and then work your way from the top downwards to remove the solution with a squeegee. You should remove the solution immediately to avoid it leaving streaks. Also, avoid getting any of the solutions on the vinyl frames as it may cause discoloration, or ensure you rinse thoroughly.
It would be best if you also considered cleaning your glass patio door on a cloudy day or under a shade. This is because direct sunlight may cause the cleaning solution to dry quickly, leaving behind streaks.
Also read: Energy efficient patio doors reviews
Also: Patio door insulation
4. Cleaning the tracks
A dirty slider track is much of a bigger problem than a dirty patio door screen. Dirt will build on the track channels of your patio sliding door, making it lose its functionality since it will become harder to close and open.
Therefore, cleaning the tracks is important to maintain a patio door. So, to give the tracks a good clean start by vacuuming the channels, use a smaller vacuum header to remove the debris in the corner of the tracks effectively.
Spray the cleaning solution we prepared into the tracks, let it sit in for a few minutes to loosen the dirt, and wipe it dry using a clean cloth. Then use a toothbrush to scrub the grime on the tracks. Once you are done, place a paper towel in the track to completely dry them.
Excessive scrubbing may, and the use of abrasive material may hamper the integrity and the aesthetics of your patio sliding glass door.
Also read: Best Karcher pressure washer for patio
FAQs About Cleaning Patio Doors
What is the best way to clean a glass patio door?
Avoiding the use of abrasive materials is the best approach to clean a patio door. Make use of microfiber cloth or a sponge.
To eliminate streaks, make a homemade glass cleaner by combining white vinegar, water, and liquid soap. Make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry with a soft towel.
Why is my sliding door hard to open?
Sliding doors necessitate regular maintenance and cleaning. Our patio door is typically made up of two panels that run along a track channel.
If the track channels are not kept clean, debris may accumulate and prevent your door from closing or opening. It is critical to keep your slide tracks clean and lubricated.
How do you clean a sliding glass door frame?
To clean the frames effectively use a rough damp cloth but first wipe the dust off the frame, especially the top part. While cleaning pay special attention to the bottom and threshold of the frame.
Why does my patio glass door fog up?
Fogging on a patio door is typically caused by a temperature difference; for example, if your outdoor temperature is cooler, fogging will form on the inside portion of the door.
When cleaning a patio door, the aim is usually to have a spotless screen without causing any scratches, so avoid using an abrasive material to remove stubborn stains; instead, repeat the process above until you get rid of the stain.
If you have been struggling to keep your patio glass door clean, with these tips cleaning your patio door will be a breeze. Don’t let dirt and smudge ruin the stunning effect of your patio door in the morning.
Learn how to clean patio doors and once you get the hang of it will be a quick and fun process. Additionally, you will have a well-maintained patio door that will offer superior performance.
