Garage doors are hard-working components that can take a beating. Regular cleaning will prevent scuffs, soil buildup and dents.
Using a hose to pre-rinse your garage door provides a clean canvas for soaping up. Choose a mild detergent such as dish liquid or car wash soap, avoiding bleach that can discolor the door. Finish up by applying a spray wax to prevent corrosion.
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Clean the Surface

Using a garden hose on the setting that is not too forceful, gently wash off your garage door to remove dirt and grime. Make sure you wash all parts of the door, including the hinges, tracks and photo-eye (the sensor that opens and closes the garage door).
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Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to apply cleaning solution and scrub away stubborn dirt marks and chalky oxidation. Avoid the use of scouring pads or brushes, which can scratch or damage your garage door surface.
Once you are done, rinse the door thoroughly with your garden hose. This step is important to ensure that the soap doesn’t dry and damage your door, which could cause spots that are difficult to get rid of.
If you live in a coastal area or an area with high road salt during winter, washing your garage door quarterly is recommended to prevent rust and maintain the look of the painted metal. After rinsing the door, consider reviving it with Everbrite Coating.
Remove Oily Spots

Clean a garage door regularly to keep it looking like new and reducing the risk of spiders and other pests, dust, or grime that can worsen respiratory problems for anyone living inside the house. It also provides a healthy environment and reduces the likelihood of oily spots from becoming set in.
You’ll need a hose, mild soap or cleaning detergent (what you use to wash dishes or your car should work), and some warm water to create a diluted solution for washing the garage door. A soft brush, such as a scrub brush, and a soft cloth or sponge are ideal for scrubbing the surface without scratching it.
Rinse off the garage door thoroughly when you’re done, using a garden hose with a spray nozzle to avoid putting too much pressure on the surface, which could damage it. Once it’s dry, apply a spray wax, depending on the material of the garage door, to protect against corrosion.
Remove Stains

For oily spots, use a degreaser that’s safe for your garage door’s material. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and rinsing.
For stains, you need to be gentle to avoid scratching your steel or wood surface. For wooden surfaces, a mild vinegar and water solution works well to remove mild stains.
Apply the cleaner with a cloth, following the grain, and rinse sparingly. If your garage door is fiberglass, soapy water will do the trick for most marks and stains. For more stubborn ones, try a glass-specific cleaner.
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Before you start to scrub the door with your cleaning detergent, give it a pre-rinse with a hose. This will loosen and wash away all the dirt and grime on your door’s surface.
You should also lubricate the moving parts, such as hinges and springs, with a specialized lubricant to reduce friction. This will minimize wear and tear, protect the components from corrosion, and help them work more efficiently.
Clean the Tracks
The tracks that guide your Germantown garage door up and down can become clogged with dirt, dust, or cobwebs. When these parts aren’t properly cleaned, they can cause the door to squeak or even damage itself as it moves along them.
Thankfully, the tracks and rollers are easy to clean by using a damp rag. Just be sure to use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth, as anything too harsh can scratch the surface and erode the paint.
After cleaning, you can lubricate the rollers and hinges if needed. Just be sure to turn off or disconnect the electricity from your garage door before attempting this step, and make sure to wear gloves for protection.
Standard degreasers (like WD-40) and greases can attract dirt or dust, so it’s best to use an aerosol spray that has a straw attachment to reach the small spaces inside the hinges and rollers.
You should also wipe down the photo-eye sensors and weather stripping to keep them free from mildew and mold, and help your garage door last longer. In addition, regularly cleaning your garage door will allow you to spot any issues and address them before they develop into larger problems.
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