How to Clean Interior Door Handles

We help you clean your door handles properly

Current events are pushing us to take precautions when it comes to hygiene. COVID-19, which has affected us since the beginning of the year, has had a particularly significant impact on our way of life.

Wearing masks, protecting our elderly and washing our hands are the barrier gestures that keep running through our minds. However, our hands carry bacteria (according to some studies we can transmit up to 100 million bacteria) and handle a great many objects throughout the day… this is the case with door handles. It has been proven that the COVID-19 virus can survive on steel for up to 3 days.

Let us do a quick calculation: 

We open our doors on average 10 times a day. We spend roughly 330 days a year at home and on average we stay 10 years in a home. We therefore touch our door handles more than 33,000 times. This shows the importance of properly cleaning your handles.

Beyond the hygienic aspect, there is also the aesthetic aspect to maintain so that your handles shine bright.

We are going to show you how to clean your interior door handles.

We invite you to view our "contactless" anti-Covid-19 handles HERE

How to clean door handles

Like any everyday object, door handles need regular maintenance.

To clean properly, use a soft, dry cloth — the fabric should be cotton so that it does not scratch. Do not use chemical products that could damage the surface of your handle. There is no need to use specific or expensive cleaning products. 

Which products to use to clean your handles

- Alcohol

Door handles are breeding grounds for bacteria. You can eliminate them with household alcohol or methylated spirits. To do so, use a microfibre cloth and alcohol to disinfect your door handles and eradicate all traces of germs. There is no need to wipe afterwards, as alcohol dries without leaving any residue.

- Disinfectant wipes

Quick and effective, antibacterial wipes are perfect for cleaning your handles. No need for a cloth and alcohol — they combine everything in one. The ideal approach is to use one wipe per door handle. However, this method is not very eco-friendly nor cost-effective.

- White vinegar

The recipe for all cleaning enthusiasts! Nevertheless, the MILLA team advises against using vinegar-based products on our handles.

- Soap

Warm soapy water, a bathroom sponge (use the porous side) and that will do the trick for a thorough clean of your handles! You can use black soap on greasy door handles. Warm water, a spoonful of black soap, a dampened cloth and you're done!

If your handles are made of stainless steel or have a polished chrome finish, wipe them with a dry, clean cloth to remove marks.

- Coca-Cola

Despite its high sugar content and the damage it can cause to our teeth, Coca-Cola is an effective antioxidant and can be your ally for cleaning the surface of your door handles. Simply use a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola. Make sure to rinse your handles thoroughly to remove any sugar residue that would make them sticky.

- Silver stone

Silver stone is a household essential. It cleans, polishes, makes surfaces shine and leaves a protective layer on delicate surfaces. It is therefore perfect for the surface of your handles.

Please note: it is recommended not to use silver stone on porous surfaces such as wood or chipboard.

How to remove dirt from your metal door handles

On metal, dirt tends to build up and over time your handle may lose its shine. Using steel wool or wire wool soaked in scouring cream, you can restore the lustre to your old metal handles. Finally, apply a polishing product to prevent further oxidation of the metal.

We recommend, before using any cleaning products, carrying out a test on a small area of your door handles to check that the surface reacts correctly to the product. All of this is also effective on the door escutcheon.

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After following the tips mentioned above, you will be able to enjoy the appearance of your door handles, which reflect the decoration of your home. Cleaning door handles is a guarantee of reliable operation for many years to come.