To ensure that scuffs, scratches, and minor instances of rust are taken care of, it is essential that some upkeep is carried out on your wrought iron doors. Compared with many materials, wrought iron requires very little maintenance and is actually incredibly easy to take care of. However, when they are used for years, general wear and tear does occur and will need to be cleaned.
Keep reading to learn why it is so important to do regular cleaning and maintenance of your custom iron doors and the best methods to do so.
Why Maintenance for Iron Door is Essential
Many of us install luxury iron doors to boost the style and elegance, and to ensure that the aesthetic element is maintained, the doors must be cleaned throughout the year. This is usually very simple and quick work, ensuring your doors stay shining and beautiful.
Any metal that is left exposed to the outdoors will eventually show signs of age and wear, and wrought iron is no different. Despite the fact that it is incredibly strong and durable, dust can gather, and rain and wind can affect its outer layer.
Once you know how to clean and take care of your custom iron doors, they will look wonderful and stay strong for years to come.
How to Keep Your Luxury Iron Doors in Perfect Condition
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Clean Your Door
Cleaning your wrought iron doors regularly is the best way to keep it rust-free and in good condition.
Luckily this is an easy process and requires only a minimal time commitment each month. Here are a few easy steps you can take to clean your iron doors:
- Create a soapy mixture by combining water with one teaspoon of a vegetable-based soap, such as Castile soap, which is very gentle and will not be abrasive on the iron.
- Using a soft cloth or microfiber cloth, gently wipe down the iron doors to remove dirt, dust, and any other matter that might have accumulated. For intricately designed doors, make sure that you carefully go over all crevices or twists in the ironwork so that all space is evenly covered and cleaned.
- After washing with soap, make sure that you thoroughly rinse your iron doors so that all soapy residue is removed. Leaving soap behind could cause discoloration over time, which should always be avoided.
- Lastly, you will want to dry your doors because prolonged dampness can have a negative effect. To do this, just use a different microfiber cloth and gently dry it.
Depending on the size of your iron doors, this process should take only a small amount of time but will have a big impact. Your curb appeal will be maintained, and the integrity and strength of your doors ensured for the months to come.
You might find that at certain times of the year, your doors require more regular cleaning. For instance, summer can result in more dirt or ash accumulating on your doors, whereas winter will typically be a much rainier season. During these months, keep an eye on your door and clean it as required.
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Try to Keep Your Door Dry
It is important to try to keep your custom iron doors when possible.
While iron is less susceptible to rust than many other materials, it may still rust over years of usage. To minimize the risk of rust building up, you should try to keep the door dry when possible.
For instance, after heavy rainfall or a storm, you should use a soft cloth to gently dry off any precipitation left behind.
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Remove Rust
In the event that rust does occur on your wrought iron doors, there are some steps you can take to remedy the damage and fix the changed appearance of your doors.
To remove the rust, you should carry out the following steps:
- Carefully scrape off the rust and peeling paint with a wire brush or sandpaper, which will be effective without damaging the iron. The most important thing is to remove all of the rust and as much of the flaking paint as possible, but you do not need to worry as much about the paint.
- You should then clean the door as you normally would such as by following the steps we laid out above, and make sure the door is completely dried afterward.
- Following this, apply a primer that has an anti-rust assurance to the door, including the sides and any twists or curves in the design. Primers can vary so it is important to read the instructions on the primer’s packaging first to know how to apply it properly.
Depending on the location of your home, rust may be more or less common, therefore, it is necessary to watch out for signs of aging or rust. Acting quickly will make the job much less onerous.
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Paint the Door
After priming your door, you should add a coat of paint. This doesn’t have to be a daunting task though! If the paint is the same color as the door, you should only have to fill in the gaps and do some touch-up work where the rust was removed.
You can even consult a sales associate at your local hardware store to find out the best brands of paint for iron doors to ensure that it is long-lasting and will protect the iron from further damage.
A fresh layer of paint will enhance the look of your door and increase the overall elegance of your entryway. This shows just how important it is to keep your solid iron doors clean and maintained.
Installing Wrought Iron Doors to Your Home
If you have a custom design in mind or if you wish to discuss your preferences with our team, you may schedule your free consultation by contacting us at Baltic Iron Doors today.