How to Clean Metal Kitchen Door Handles?

Metal kitchen door handles are a sign of modern interior home design. And when it is made of metal, you must ensure special care. Some areas in a kitchen are regarded as high-contact surfaces. The door handles are one of them. They may look grubby due to the dirt and bacteria from your hands.

Then what is the best way to clean them? Well, the magic lies in the description below!

How to Clean Metal Kitchen Door Handles

It would help if you learned some relevant things. Let us start with metal door handles materials.

Are you ready to grab them one by one?

Okay, please move on!

Most Common Materials for Metal Door Handles

The most commonly used materials are as follows:

Stainless Steel

This is the apt choice if you are looking for a heavily usable, commercial one. Such a door handle can tackle any hostile situation. Therefore, from residential to marine, you can treat this ideal. It can come with shot-blasted finishes or polished satin. 

Aluminum

From the beginning, it has been an appealing material for making kitchen door handles. People love this for its soft silvery finish.

Alloys

This modern aluminum version is also a popular choice for kitchen door handles. It is a lightweight and affordable solution.

Brass

You can benefit from the softness of this material. Several styles are possible with this. It is the core product for antique brass finishes and a popular choice of interior designers.

Nylon

It is a material that you would love to touch! It is most applicable for projects like healthcare environments, nurseries, etc. At the same time, you will find it safe for the aged and children due to its smooth design and angles. It is the perfect option for swimming pools and sports leisure facilities.

Wood

It is one of the oldest household materials and is still popular. So you may regard this as a reliable option for kitchen door handles.

Porcelain

Here is our last option for your kitchen door handle. It can create an appealing pattern for your kitchen arena.

Precaution Steps for Keep Metal Door Clean

One should emphasize resisting and removing rust from the metal door. It is a vital part of cleaning, as maintenance begins with this. It’s a common cause of corrosion. No worries. We have designed this section to help you effectively prevent your metal doors from rusting and remove them. Only a few steps can save your doors. These are as follows!

Grease the Hinges

Do you want to make the hinges rust-free and, at the same time, quieter? Then keep greasing regularly.

Clean the Doors

Regular cleaning is the finest method to keep your doors rust-free. Fix the cleaning time depending on your usage. For example, if you reside 50 miles away from a coastal area, you should clean the doors twice a month. The saltier coastal air reacts to the metal, which results in corrosion.

Prime and Paint Your Door

It is a fantastic way to thwart any rust. However, please don’t think that painting the metal door is a necessary task. No. It’s all up to your preference.

Employ Linseed Oil or Car Wax

Get a lint-free cloth to apply wax. The application is not different from dealing with a car. The car wax paves the way for water and rolls right off the metal door. Apply twice within a year.

Enough!

On the other hand, you may go for linseed oil. It is indeed a reliable thing for protective coating. You had better apply this 4-5 times within a year to keep your metal door rust-free.

On Eradicating Rust

What if the metal door is already rust-affected?

No problem. Only a few steps can help you get rid of this! Clean the door normally. It may suffice. If not, use sandpaper to scrape off the rust. Alternatively, you can use a wire brush.

And if you find the rust more stubborn, use kerosene. It will soften and help you scrape off the rust easily.

Common Problems with Metal Door Handles

Greasy

Often, our metal door gets greasy as we use grease to keep them safe from rust. It is another common problem that makes us take the right action. To get rid of this issue, you had better use vinegar. It’s simple. Soak a ragged piece in vinegar and wipe off the greasy portions.

Sticky

Generally, when there is a malfunction within the metal door, it becomes sticky. It is the most common cause. You will see issues on the tubular latch plate-like loose screws in such cases. Or, there can be a lock poking through the metal door.

Rusty

Rust is the most common problem. Over time, it happens. It also happens due to wear and tear. Especially if you ignore regular cleaning, you will surely suffer from this issue. Rust starts to come into being when moisture mixes with oxygen.

Different Metals Have Specific Care

We think it will be beneficial for you to learn specific metal-based care. In this part, we will dwell on the most popular metal pieces. Grab them downright!

For Chrome

You will be glad to know that chrome finishes are very cleaning-friendly. Only a little effort will suffice to make them silver, shiny, and polished. And to revive the original glory of a metal finish, you will need the following stuff-

• A bowl of warm water
• 2 Soft cloths
• Dish soap
• Wax (optional)

Now follow the steps below!

• Before all, make the chrome kitchen door handle free from any dust or debris.
• Prepare a solution of water and dish soap. Please don’t forget to manage a good quality dish soap.
• Next, dampen a cloth in that solution. Rub over the handle. It needs to be top to bottom and side to side.
• Now get a dry cloth to dry the handle from top to bottom. It will help avoid any streaks.
• Have another cloth to apply a thin layer of wax or polish. It ensures the gloss of your handle and increases the mirror-like effect plus the lustrous finish.

For Brass

You may have handles with brass plating or solid brass. Whatever it is, cleaning brass door handles is easy if you use elbow grease. Let’s share the things you will need to rejuvenate your brass door kitchen handles-

• Soft cotton cloth
• Warm water
• One ripened half lemon
• 1 tsp of baking soda/salt

Now the required steps are as follows:

• Get a bowl. Mix the baking soda and a small amount of lemon in it to make a thick paste.
• Now cover the handle with a thin layer of paste over the handle. Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Then use a soft cloth to wipe it away.
• Afterward, use clean water to remove any paste remnants.
• Finally, buff the handle with a soft cotton cloth.

For Copper

Copper is another vital metal that producers embrace for making kitchen door handles. Let us suggest an interesting cleaning method for such a handle. You will need salt, flour, and white vinegar in the following proportion –

• 1 tbsp of white vinegar
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1 tbsp of flour

And the steps are as follows!

• Use a gentle cloth to remove any dust or debris from the handle. 
• Get a bowl to mix the ingredients. Let them create a paste. 
• Now rub the paste onto your copper door handle.
• Wait 2-3 minutes. The paste will get set to go. 
• Then get some hot soapy water to remove the paste and rinse your handles. 
• You have to improve the lustrous finish of the handles. Employ a soft cloth to buff. However, refrain from buffing too much since it can only damage the finish.

For Silver

Silver is one of the most used metal stuff for making metal door handles. It is durable and shiny. Let us share things you need to care for your silver kitchen door handles. These are as follows:

• 1 tablespoon of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of flour and 
• 1 tablespoon of salt

Now follow the steps below!

• Fill your bowl with one tablespoon of vinegar, flour, and salt.
• Ensure a thorough mixture to come up with a paste.
• Then apply it to the silver door handle.
• Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
• Finally, wash the handles properly.

For Pewter

You can use this malleable metal piece in many things, from kitchen utensils to caskets. It has a superb anti-rust feature. Crafters and artisans love this! Though it does not corrode like silver, it can start oxidizing over time and end up with a dull-looking finish.

You will need the following stuff to ensure proper care. These are-

• White vinegar
• Salt 
• Flour

Please follow the steps below!

• Get one cup of white vinegar to put one teaspoon of salt in it. 
• Then add some flour into the mixture to help this turn into a paste. 
• Now apply the paste to the pewter.
• Then allow it to sit for fifteen minutes to an hour. 
• Have some clean, warm water to rinse and polish dry. 

What Happens If We Do Not Clean Metal Kitchen Door Handles?

Metal kitchen door handles can become a hub of grime and bacteria if they lack regular cleaning. Specifically, they tend to gather a thick, stubborn layer of grime. Else, they keep building dust all the time. Rusting is also a common issue with metal kitchen door handles.

Cleaning Components

Soft Cloth: Soft cloth is one of the most common cleaning components. And the most appropriate cleaning stuff will be microfiber cloth. These super-soft fabrics made of microscopic fibers suck up germs and bacteria fruitfully.

Toothbrush: Apart from brushing teeth, you can employ a toothbrush for cleaning kitchen door handles. Usually, people use old toothbrushes for this purpose wisely. There are some hard-to-reach places in a kitchen where you must scrub off those crumbs and stains.

Jar: You can use the jar to contain water or any cleaning agent.

Hand Gloves: A pair of hand gloves is a must. Especially, the cleaning agents comprise chemicals that can endanger your hand skin if used frequently.

Salt: Salt is a fantastic cleaning agent. There is no chance of getting harmed by this natural stuff. 
Vinegar: No matter whether your kitchen appliances are of metal, wood, or something else, you can benefit from vinegar to a large extent. Generally, we mix it with water and get it in a spray bottle for cleaning.

Flour: It is an essential agent for making cleaning paste. Usually, it gets mixed with water and vinegar for application. This kitchen staple can absorb a spill immediately.

Ammonia: As a surface cleaner, it rocks. Though less safe than vinegar, it is highly effective at breaking down household grime or stains such as cooking grease and wine stains.

How to Clean

Cleaning is a must. Metal kitchen door handles are made of copper, silver, brass, or something else that requires cleaning regularly. And it would help best if you befriend soft cloth, jars, salt, vinegar, ammonia, and other cleaning materials in your kitchen.

To Wrap Up

Hope we already know how to clean metal kitchen door handles. Regular cleaning enhances their lifespan. On the contrary, you will be a loser if you fall victim to rust and grime. Will you let this happen ever?

Pretty sure – no!

Then go and do your job! Best of luck!