We use our door handles so often that we don’t even think about it. High-touch surfaces need to be cleaned regularly, including door hardware on the exterior side of our homes. If you need some tips on how to clean external hardware, you’ve come to the right place. Below are some tips we’ve gathered for cleaning different types of handle metals.

Cleaning tips

Before you start cleaning your exterior door hardware, ensure it is not damaged, especially if you are dealing with antique hardware. Corrosion, in particular, can make hardware brittle, and cleaning won’t improve its appearance. Most importantly, ensure you have the right cleaning supplies before you begin. If you’re unsure what kind of hardware you have, consider testing your cleaning products on a hidden area before proceeding. Certain chemicals can cause different reactions in different metals.

Small buffing tools will make the process easier, but they don’t work around all handles and levers. Be prepared to do a bit of manual scrubbing and polishing. Some tools you’ll need to have handy include a soft-bristled toothbrush, scrubbing pads, and soft cloths.

Now, let’s look at how to clean some of the various metals your hardware might be made of.

Cleaning brass and copper door hardware

Copper and brass hardware tend to discolor over time, and while this patina can look appealing, when there’s too much build-up, you need to remove it. The best option is to use a commercial copper or brass cleaner that is mildly abrasive. Apply a thin layer, allow to dry, and then buff. You might need to repeat the process if your hardware is very discolored and dirty.

Cleaning lacquered brass door hardware

As the name suggests, lacquered brass door hardware is coated with a layer of hard-wearing, durable lacquer. As long as this layer is not damaged, you should not have to do more than gently wipe your door hardware with a soft cloth and some warm soapy water. To add another layer of protection, use natural wax to polish the hardware when you’re done.

Cleaning pewter door hardware

It would be best to clean your pewter door hardware every three to six months to avoid discoloration. You can clean pewter door hardware with a soft cloth and soapy water. However, if it’s begun to discolor, you might need to use a commercial polishing compound to remove the patina.

Cleaning chrome and nickel hardware

A mixture of salt and lemon juice or commercial cleaners can be used to clean chrome and nickel hardware. You will need to clean bright and polished metals more frequently to preserve the shine.

Cleaning sterling silver hardware

Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to air. Like chrome and nickel, it needs to be cleaned more frequently. A commercial cleaning product is probably best to ensure that you don’t harm the surface of this valuable metal.

Cleaning stainless steel hardware

Stainless steel hardware is made to be, well, stainless. So cleaning this metal shouldn’t be too difficult. A soft cloth and soapy water followed by a soft dry cloth should be all you need. Specialty stainless steel cleaners from the store may also be helpful.

Remember to buff any metal after cleaning to preserve the shine!

An infrequent job

The good news is that contemporary exterior door hardware is made to stand up to the elements and frequent use. Unless you have an older home with original hardware or a home with antique hardware, you probably won’t have to clean too frequently except for hygienic reasons. Cleaning the hardware every few months should be enough to keep the hardware looking great.

True or False? Answer: False. There should be more than 114 million doorways in the United States. The statement above was shared on a “How products are made” article that doesn’t actually have a date stamp on it. According to the United States Census Bureau there were approximately 138 million housing units in 202010 and according to Statista, there were approximately 142 million housing units in the United States as of 202111. All that to say, there are many more doorways that are unaccounted for in the United States.

1 http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Doorknob.html

2 https://sandiegohardware.com/blogs/resources/decorative-hardware-material-guide

3 https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/finishes-for-your-door-hardware/

4 https://www.period-homes.com/product-reports/finishes-for-your-door-hardware

5 https://www.brikksen.com/home/page/blog?p=the-different-grades-of-stainless-steel

6 https://kc.allegion.com/kb/article/what-grade-of-stainless-steel-do-we-use-in-the-levers-on-l9000-locks/

7 https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/stainless-steel-finishing-options/

8 https://www.maglocks.com/hardware-finish-descriptions.html

9 https://buildershardware.com/ANSI-BHMA-Standards/Hardware-Highlights/A15618-2020-Materials-and-Finishes

10 https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=DP05#

11 https://www.statista.com/statistics/240267/number-of-housing-units-in-the-united-states/