How to Clean Your Barn Door Hardware

If you’re reading this, then you’re probably a proud owner of a sliding barn door. And if you do indeed have a sliding barn door in your home, then you’re aware of just how amazing its space-saving, trend-setting style provides your overall home ambiance. But if you want to keep that beautiful aesthetic looking … well, beautiful – then you’ve got to maintain it.

Read on and find the proper sliding barn door tips and tricks for how to clean interior and exterior door hardware and how to clean metal door handles.

First off, remember that your sliding barn door is just as fashionable as it is functional to you home, so keeping it looking and working well is important. Wood and metal aren’t difficult to clean, but like your furniture, they need upkeep from time to time.

Cleaning barn door pulls

Cleaning barn door pulls doesn’t have to be a difficult task. All-purpose cleaners like 409 can be used to remove any dirt, germs, and grime. However, vinegar and a soft cloth can also be helpful here in case you have any specialty finishes on your pull that you don’t want to wear away.

If you have a leather barn door pull, using oil soap or even a product like Endust or Pledge won’t harm or degrade the leather. It will remove dust and give it a pleasant sheen.

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How to clean old door hardware

In addition to maintaining the outward beauty of your barn door, you want to make sure it’s just as practical as it is pretty. That means ensuring that it slides and closes smoothly and effortlessly.

How to clean brass, bronze or nickel door hardware

Brass and bronze hardware looks beautiful when paired with a sliding barn door. It offers a unique touch with a warm finish. Similarly, nickel is another beautiful metal used in hardware with either a brushed, matte finish or a glossy polished finish for a silvery sheen.

Regardless of the type of metal hardware you’ve chosen for your sliding barn door, olive oil makes a great cleaning agent that doesn’t leave visible streaks and keeps your hardware in beautiful condition.  Be sure not to use any coarse, old rags on your hardware because they can scratch your metal hardware and spur the onset of rust. The same rule applies if you’re wondering how to clean nickel door hardware.

How to clean and polish metal barn door hardware

Next, to clean and polish your metal hardware, slightly dampen a soft cloth with undiluted white vinegar and then wipe clean. This natural technique will keep your barn door hardware functioning like new and looking just as beautiful as the day you bought it.

Whatever you do, don’t clean your hardware with mineral acids or harsh bleaches. And remember, any cleaner that is safe for glass is typically safe to use on stainless steel.

How to clean sliding barn doors

The chore you’ll have to do most often on your wood, glass and metal sliding barn doors is dust. Simply wipe the top of the door frame because this will typically have a better result than using a feather duster. If your door has beveling, panes, or carved areas, don’t forget to dust these areas, too. Dust can collect in those recessed areas. Also be sure to wipe and dust around the frame of the door.  

Cleaning wooden barn doors

Every few months, it’s time to do a little more than your weekly dusting-- especially if you have a wooden door. You can time this cleaning ritual with the change of seasons. SImply wipe the entire surface of your wooden barn door using a soft rag and oil soap. Important note: Wipe in the direction of the grain, just like sanding and painting.

Cleaning glass and metal barn doors

If your sliding door is made from glass or metal, you may need to clean it more frequently to remove fingerprints or smudges that can make an otherwise beautiful door look unsightly. For glass barn doors, a glass cleaner like Windex or a solution of water and vinegar, if you prefer natural home cleaning products. Be sure to use a soft microfiber cloth to avoid scratching the glass.

If you have a metal sliding barn door, spraying it down with white vinegar is a safe, natural way to remove any fingerprints, grease, or even rust stains. First, lay down a towel to catch any drips on the floor, then spray white vinegar over the surface of the door. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping it down with a soft cloth. Metal is also subject to scratches and scrapes from abrasive cleaners and cleaning materials, so opting for safe, natural, and soft materials can keep it in pristine condition for years to come!

You know the saying, “all good things must come to an end”? Well, when it comes to your sliding barn doors, they don’t have to. Simply taking care of your door and its hardware with these quick how to clean exterior door hardware and interior door hardware steps can keep your door looking fresh and stylish for years and years to come.