Door hardware is more than just a functional element in your home; it contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic. Whether you have brushed brass, gunmetal grey, white, or hardware in any other finish, regular maintenance and cleaning is crucial for its longevity.
General Guidelines
How often should you clean your hardware?
A couple of factors influence this greatly, and ultimately, you are the best judge of when your handles require cleaning.
Geographical location - if you are close to a coastline you will have a higher concentration of salt in the air. This contributes to a much faster rate of corrosion in hardware in general.
Environmental conditions - an area with a lot of dust or higher-than-usual traffic will allow dirt and grime to build up faster than usual
Routine Maintenance
Inspection
- The complete door should be inspected to ensure that it is still in good working order. Warped door frames can put excessive load on your hinges and door lock reducing their lifespan
- Dirt, dust and salt deposits can cause damage to product surfaces and internal mechanisms, including the cylinder barrel and latch. These should be inspected regularly and cleaned.
Lock cylinders
- Cylinders should be lubricated at least once a year or when there are signs of roughness when inserting or retracting the key.
- Note: Some lubricants work well initially but attract dust over time. While these lubricants are fine for lock and handle latches and other moving parts, we don’t recommend using them for key cylinders.
- We recommend lubricating key cylinders with powdered graphite (warning: it can be messy if you’re not careful!) or an aerosol lubricant such as ‘Super Lube Dri-Film’ which is excellent for cleaning and lubricating.
- Remove any dirt, grime and salt deposits on and around the end of the cylinder barrel and apply a small amount of lubricant to the key blade or into the keyhole and insert the key into the lock barrel to maintain a smooth action.
Cleaning
- Use a soft dry cloth to wipe down surfaces on a weekly basis to remove surface dust and dirt. Dirt or other contaminants must not be allowed to build up on the surface, as these will readily discolour and impair the surface.
- For a deeper clean, use a mild detergent diluted in warm water. Avoid excessive hot solutions.
- Use a soft cloth or similar to clean the surface. Do NOT use abrasive tools. After cleaning, rinse surfaces thoroughly with fresh water then dry to avoid water marks.
- Do not use strong solvent type cleaners on surfaces, ensure the contact time for any solvent is kept to a minimum, and that any solvent is thoroughly rinsed from the surface. A small test area should be checked prior to solvent usage to ensure that no damage to the surface is caused and no changes to the colour appear.
- The use of bore water for cleaning is not recommended due to its mineral content. Using bore water may stain the surface and lead to long term coating failure.
- Ensure cleaning fluids do not enter into the lock or cylinder.
Tips to minimise wear and tear
- It’s important to understand that any hardware exposed to the outdoor elements will experience a degree of change in colour or finish over time.
- Large rings or holding your keys in your hand while operating a handle can cause scratches or marks in soft finishes
- Ensure you turn the lever when closing your door. Pushing it closed will over time mark the striker plate.
- For coastal areas, an additional clear coating could be applied to your hardware and fixtures for extra protection
Conclusion
Maintaining the finish of your brushed brass door hardware is a task that requires regular attention but pays off in the long run. With proper care, your hardware can enhance your home’s appeal and provide reliable service for years to come.
