How to Clean a Metal Door

Co-authored by Erik Bakirov and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Metal doors are commonly installed on the exteriors of homes and other buildings because they're lightweight, yet durable. However, after a while, they can start to build up a layer of dust, pollen, and grime that can make the door look dirty and dingy. Luckily, cleaning a metal door is often as easy as wiping it down with soap and water. For stubborn stains and scuff marks, try using a household cleaner like vinegar or mineral spirits, instead.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Soap and Water

1
Wipe down the door with a dry cloth to remove any dust. Take a clean, dry cloth or a durable paper towel and wipe down the entire surface of the door. Especially focus on any crevices or trim on the door. This will help remove any dust or pollen that has built up over time. If you leave it in place, you might just spread this dust around when you actually wash the door.^{[1]
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- If the door is very dirty, it may be easier to vacuum it to remove dirt and cobwebs.
2
Fill a bucket with warm water and add dish soap. It might seem simple, but often, all you'll need to get your metal door clean is some soapy water. Start by filling a large bucket with warm or hot water. Then, squeeze in a large squirt of liquid dish soap—you don't have to measure precisely, but about 1 US tbsp (15 ml) should be enough.
- Warm water will dissolve dirt and dust more effectively than cold water. Just make sure it's not hot enough to scald you!
- You can also use liquid laundry detergent, if you prefer.
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3
Dip a cloth or sponge into the soapy water and wring it out. Take your cleaning cloth or sponge and saturate it in the soapy water. Then, squeeze the sponge or twist the cloth to get rid of most of the water. That way, it won't drip all over when you start cleaning.^{[2]
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- If your door isn't super dirty, use a microfiber cloth to clean it gently. However, if you think you'll need to give the door a more vigorous scrubbing, opt for a sponge with a soft side and a scrubby side, instead.
4
Wipe down the door, working from top to bottom. Starting at one of the top corners, scrub the surface of the door in a circular motion. As you work, rinse out the cloth or sponge in the soapy water whenever it starts to get dirty, wringing out the excess water each time.^{[3]
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- If you start cleaning from the bottom, dirty water will drip down onto the areas you've already cleaned, which is why it's best to start at the top of the door.
Tip: Try folding your cleaning cloth in quarters. Then, when one side gets dirty, flip the cloth over and use the opposite side. Once that's dirty, flip the last fold the opposite directions and you'll have two new, clean sides of the cloth! You can even refold the cloth entirely to use the other side if you need to.
5
Rinse away any soap by wiping the door with a clean, damp cloth. After you've washed away all of the dirt on the door, empty the soapy water out of your bucket and refill it with clean water. Wet a clean cloth in the water and wring it out, then wipe down the door, working from top to bottom once again. This will remove any soapy residue that's left on the door.^{[4]
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- If you leave the soap, it might attract dirt after it's dry, giving the door a streaky look.
6
Dry the door with a clean, soft cloth. When you're finished cleaning the door, buff it dry with a second, dry cloth. This will help remove any fingerprints that were left behind, so you'll get a sparkling, even finish.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.}
- If you don't dry the door, you might end up with streaks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Other Household Cleaners

1
Make your own gentle but powerful cleaner from vinegar and water. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then, spritz this mixture on your metal door and wipe it away for an easy, eco-friendly clean!^{[6]
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- Wipe down your door with diluted vinegar regularly to keep grime from building up.
2
Use melamine foam to remove scuff marks. If you have shoe marks, scuff marks, or grimy stains that you're having trouble removing, wet a small corner of a block of melamine foam. Then, gently scrub the stain until it's gone.^{[7]
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- Melamine foam is often sold in blocks labeled as stain 'erasers.'
3
Spray stubborn stains with a bleach-based cleaner. Open the door, then put down an old towel to catch any drips. Spray the stain with a bleach-based household cleaner and let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then wipe down the door with a clean cloth.^{[8]
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- If you're cleaning a painted front door, it's a good idea to test bleach-based cleaners in an inconspicuous spot to make sure they won't damage or discolor your paint job.
4
Clean the door with mineral spirits to remove tough grime. If it's been a really long time since the door was cleaned, the dirt and oils that have built up can be really difficult to remove. If soapy water or other household cleaners haven't worked, open the door or nearby windows to create a well-ventilated space. Then, dip a cloth in mineral spirits and rub the surface of the door in a circular motion to remove layers of dirt.^{[9]
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- Wipe down the door with a clean, dry cloth when you're finished.
5
Use WD-40 for an easy way to clean and polish a metal door. WD-40 is useful for more than just oiling your hinges—it can be a powerful cleaner, too! Just spray down your exterior metal or screen door with the oil, let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.^{[10]
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- If you use WD-40 to clean your front door, it will have a welcoming, gleaming shine when you're finished!
6
Wipe down the metal door with acetone to prep it for painting. If you need to clean a steel door before you paint it, try wiping the whole thing down with acetone. This will completely remove oils and dirt from the surface of the door, and it will dry quickly, so it won't delay the painting process.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you remove grime from metal?

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Erik Bakirov is a Cleaning Specialist at Room413 Cleaning in Los Angeles, California. Erik specializes in deep, move-in, and move-out cleaning services. Room413 matches homeowners with reliable and trustworthy cleaning services. They also promote environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Erik Bakirov

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

First, wipe it down with a wet cloth to remove any grime, grease, and fingerprints. Then, buff it out with a dry rag. I wouldn't suggest using any cleaning products on it very often—not more than about once a week or so.