Sleek, stylish and a great way to add value to your property, Bi-Fold doors are a fantastic addition to the home especially if you want to open up your property to the great outdoors via your kitchen or dining area.
Once you’ve had a set of Bi-Fold doors installed, it’s important to keep them clean and well-maintained so that they function to their best abilities and keep their luxurious look for longer. Whether your doors are made from uPVC or aluminium powder-coated materials, there is a simple solution to keeping them pristine.
It’s always important to have doors professionally fitted so that you have a guaranteed warranty that comes with it, plus they’ll be able to offer expert advice on how to maintain them.
Start Dusting
Before adding any solution to clean the doors, dusting them first will take away any top-level layers of grime. A soft cloth or feather duster will help with this and will make things easier when moving on to the other steps.
Wipe and Buff
Just the same as a car, wiping and buffing your Bi-Fold doors are important too and can be achieved with simple items such as old newspaper or a dry cloth.
Clean the Interior First with A Sponge
When looking at whether to start with the interior or exterior first, it’s recommended to begin with the inside as it is usually cleaner that the outside. Also if you do this in reverse, you’ll be cleaning the interior windows with all the build-up from the outside which is less than ideal.
How to Clean Bi-Folding Door Glass
If you’re wondering when the best time to clean window glass is, it’s not when the sun is shining as this will cause streaks on the window, instead opt for a cloudy day to eliminate this.
Standard household window cleaning products or a solution of half water and half distilled vinegar is a great way to clean the windows on your door. Another alternative is soapy water, but make sure streaks aren’t left over when wiping down the glass.
A soft squeegee or micro-fibre cloth is a good tool to use, but make sure it’s clean before you start the process. To dry off, use a cloth or an old newspaper to give it that sparkle.
Cleaning the Frames of Bi-Fold Doors
As for the frame itself, a mixture of warm water and liquid soap is a great combination. Using a micro-fibre cloth or soft sponge to wipe down the frames from top to bottom. For more stubborn areas of dirt and grime, soak the area in question with warm water or use a pencil rubber if the first option doesn’t work.
Avoid using wire wool or harsh scourers as this will scratch the frame. If you’ve noticed a build-up of condensation or mould on your doors, there are sprays available from the supermarket or DIY shop that can help with this.
How to Clean the Tracks and Seals of Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-Fold doors are used to being opened frequently and sometimes occupants bring the outdoors in with them. That’s why it’s vital to check the tracks of your doors for any stones, pet hair, or outdoor debris that may have fallen into the tracks.
If you notice this, then remove it immediately to help maintain the ease of movement of the tracks. This can be done using a dustpan and brush, a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas, and then a hoover to completely take it away.
Make sure not to forcefully push the door along the track as this may break them, be gentle and if needed add some lubrication to help aid movement.
How Often Should You Clean Them?
As Bi-Fold doors require little maintenance, the cleaning routine is subjective to you. If you have a habit of wiping down the windows once a week to remove fingerprints, then do that. Or if you spot some dirt or grime, then remove it.
However, if you live in an urban area where there’s more pollution or your home is by the sea, then more frequent cleaning may be needed so that there isn’t a build-up of salt and other materials.
It is recommended once a year to give the doors a proper service. This includes wiping down the frames and lubricating the locks. Other than that three to six months for everything else is adequate enough.
For More Information?
Here at Crystal Clear, we care about quality, and your experience. We know that not every window or door is made the same, and that they require different methods of maintenance in order to give them the best care over the course of their life. Check out our section of maintenance guides to help prolong the life of your door or window.
Please never use any penetrating sprays such as WD40 or Double TT.
We recommend the use or 3 in 1 oil, spray oil, light grease or silicone spray to lubricate your moving parts.