High-quality stainless steel door handles and door levers maintain an exceptional visual appeal, give an impression of cleanliness and are in fact easy to clean compared to other materials. Nevertheless, to prolong their lifespan and aesthetic appeal, we recommended regular care and maintenance.
In this article, we’re going to discuss: |
Proper cleaning
To clean stainless steel door handles, door levers and other hardware, we recommend using:
- soap,
- water or
- mild detergent.
It is best to clean them with the soft side of a cleaning sponge or a cloth and then wipe them dry.
The suggested cleaning interval is once a month or more often in humid and high-salt environments.
Satinised (matte finish) door handles must always be wiped in the same direction as the patterns and grinding. Polished door handles, however, can be treated with polishing agents to maintain an intense shine over the years.
Improper cleaning
The use of abrasive and aggressive substances is not recommended for stainless steel door handles, as they can:
- damage the surface,
- leave scratches or
- cause corrosion.
If the door handle comes in contact with strong acids or abrasive substances, immediately rinse it with a large amount of clean water.
If in doubt about whether the cleaning agent is suitable, test it on the hidden side of the handle.
Glass inserts
A glass inserts on the door handles should be cleaned using only ordinary salammoniac-free glass cleaners.
- Apply some cleaner onto a paper towel or the soft side of a sponge, clean the insert, wipe it with a damp cloth, and dry it.
- In addition to cloths, you can use soft sponges and leather.
- Stubborn dirt can be cleaned with acetone or methylated spirit, but you will have to clean the glass with water and wipe it dry afterwards.
Some people still swear by cleaning glass surfaces with newspaper, but we do not recommend this as it can leave stains on the glass. |
It is prohibited to use:
- abrasive cleaners with aggressive ingredients
- sponges made of iron fibres or steel wool
- alkaline lye, acids or fluoride-containing cleaners
Avoid cleaning in strong sunlight, as stains may remain on the insert.
Also avoid using metal objects or razors, as this will damage the surface and its appearance.
Wooden inserts
Wooden inserts on the door handles are lacquered and thus protected. However, caution is still necessary.
To prevent a wooden insert from changing its shine and colour, it is recommended to clean it with:
- warm water
- soap or
- a mild detergent applied to the soft side of a sponge or a textile cloth.
After cleaning, the insert should be washed with clean water and wiped dry.
You can also use special cleaners for wooden surfaces and clean stubborn stains with the soft side of a sponge on which you have applied a drop of olive oil.
It is prohibited to use:
- abrasive cleaners with aggressive ingredients (including glass cleaners)
- metal brushes, the rough side of a sponge and wire sponges.
Be careful not to rub the insert with a sharp object or clean it with a razor as it will lead to scratches and surface damage.
Aluminium inserts
Aluminium inserts on the door handles can be cleaned regularly with:
- clean water and
- a minimal addition of pH-neutral or alkaline cleaners.
If you do use a cleaning fluid, we recommend applying it with a cloth or sponge, then carefully cleaning the insert.
After cleaning, be sure to wash the insert with clean cold water and wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
Stubborn stains can also be cleaned with non-aromatic solvents based on petrol hydrocarbons, then washed immediately with clean cold water.
Cleaning is recommended at moderate outdoor temperatures not exceeding 25 °C.
It is prohibited to use:
- abrasive cleaners with aggressive ingredients such as acids, cleaners with basic pH values, diluents, organic solvents, alcohols, fragrances and similar compounds
- metal brushes is also prohibited
Failure to comply with the instructions can cause damage to the lacquered aluminium surface.
Fingerprint scanner
The fingerprint scanner on the door handles will require cleaning every once in a while, as otherwise fingerprint recognition problems may occur.
The fingerprint scanner can be cleaned with:
- a dry or slightly damp cloth
- mild surface cleaner and a soft cloth
Never use cleansing milk, cleansing wipes, aggressive cleaners or polishing pastes or acids, as the fingerprint scanner may stop working.
Before cleaning the fingerprint scanner in the handle, review the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer of the fingerprint scanner.