![]() Cupboard handles, drawer pulls, and knobs, on the other hand, are often ignored until they’re sticky, greasy, or downright gross. Now, most of us clean the faucet each time we clean the kitchen or bathroom-it’s part of our cleaning routine. Handles and other touchpoints should also be cleaned regularly. How to Clean Cupboard Pulls, Hinges, and Handles These tips should help you clean household hardware with ease and get those doorknobs looking bright, shiny, and brand new! Then wipe off with warm water and polish dry with a soft cloth. If it doesn’t seem to harm the finish, cover the piece with the paste and let it sit for a few hours. Once again, test the mixture before slathering it over the doorknob, knocker, or handle. Silver tarnished pieces can be cleaned and restored using a baking soda paste. Test it on a small, inconspicuous area first. Remember that vinegar is an acid, so proceed with caution it can take the finish off some types of hardware. Wash it off with warm water and buff it with a cloth. Rub it on the piece and then let it sit for several minutes. You can make a paste of flour, salt, and vinegar. Vinegar works well to remove tarnish from copper and brass hardware as well. If you do remove the hardware, or you’re attempting to restore already-removed hardware, don’t cover the hardware in liquid! If water gets into the locking mechanism or small mechanical components, it can damage or destroy the piece.įor grimy pieces, vinegar is another option to remove built-up dirt and gunk. I don’t recommend removing door hardware just for cleaning because it can be tough to get all the pieces back in place. Apply a small amount of oil to a rag and rub with pressure. Oil may also help remove rust from hardware. Be sure to wipe up any extra oil to keep it from transferring to carpet, clothes, or tiny hands. For squeaky hinges, oil will lubricate and silence the noise. You may need to use more robust cleaning methods for more severe soil levels, such as rust, tarnish, or grime. Once you’ve washed the hardware, thoroughly dry it to prevent rust. Depending on the level of griminess, you may also need to use the toothbrush to scrub the nooks and crannies where dirt can get trapped. ![]() Dampen the cloth and then wipe the doorknob and hardware. Use a rag or an old, soft toothbrush to clean doorknobs. ![]() Door handles, deadbolts, locks, knobs, and handles are a great starting point for any deep cleaning project.įor basic cleaning, almost any household hardware piece can be cleaned with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Think about how often your family touches these items-every time they walk in the room, a hand turns the knob or pulls the door handle.īut honestly, when was the last time you cleaned your front doorknob? Or even your bathroom doorknob? Most of us don’t focus on these items when we clean our house (even though they’re the most frequent touchpoints). ![]() Whether you live in an older home or a brand-new house, your doorknobs, handles, and locks can see a lot of activity. And the next time the door needs painting, do yourself a favor-take the hardware off before the painter shows up.How to Clean Doorknobs, Handles, and Locks (Wire brushes or power tools are much too aggressive for this kind of work.)Ī beeswax furniture polish after stripping, or a nonabrasive polish like Flitz or Maas can restore the sheen to solid brass or thickly plated hardware. A scrubbing with a nylon brush removes the stubborn bits. More often than not, you can slide all the cooked paint layers off with your fingers. This method, advocated by Brad Kittel, owner of Discovery Architectural Antiques, in Gonzales, Texas, uses nothing more than water, a bit of liquid detergent, and heat to break the paint bond. The secret to restoring metal’s gleam is simple: A long, hot, sudsy soak in a crockpot. Fortunately, any knob, escutcheon plate, or hinge can easily be made to shine again without the need for noxious chemicals, expensive tools, or uncomfortable gear. The other kind of painter just slops it over any exposed metal and ruins the door’s appearance. Good painters remove or cover door hardware before they paint.
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