How to Properly Clean a Doorknob: A Guide to Hygiene and Maintenance

Doorknobs are among the most frequently touched surfaces in our homes and offices. Whether it’s the front, bathroom, or closet doors, these essential fixtures play a vital role in our daily lives.

However, their constant use also makes them hotspots for germs and dirt and may present one of the toughest challenges during house cleaning.

In this guide, we’ll explore the steps, dos, and don’ts of properly cleaning various types of doorknobs, ensuring that these essential touchpoints remain clean, safe, and functional.

Here is how to sanitize door knobs.

Determine the Metal Type

Identifying the metal type of your doorknob is a critical step because it guides the cleaning process.

Here’s how you can identify the metal type of your doorknob:

Look at it: Various metals have unique features. For example, brass exhibits a golden hue, stainless steel usually has a glossy finish and doesn’t corrode, bronze displays a reddish-brown shade, while brushed nickel has a matte, dull look.

Magnet Test: If a magnet adheres to the doorknob, it’s likely composed of iron or steel. If not, the knob could be made from brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, or brushed nickel.

Look for Indications: Some doorknobs might bear markings that denote the kind of metal used.

What Is the Best Cleaner For Door Knobs?

Choosing the best cleaner for door knobs depends mainly on the material of the knob. Is it a brass, stainless steel, brushed nickel, or electronic doorknob?

Some metals can take harsher cleaners and more abrasive methods, but in general the best cleaner for a doorknob is a mix of mild dish soap and water.

In terms of disinfecting door knobs, we recommended Force of Nature.

What Is The Best Cleaner For A Brass Or Bronze Doorknob?

Brass and Bronze doorknobs are prone to tarnishing over time. So how do you clean brass door knobs? For routine cleaning, use a gentle soap and water mixture. Steer clear of acidic cleaners like vinegar which can lead to discoloration.

How To Clean A Stainless Steel Doorknob

Stainless Steel is relatively robust and can endure most cleaning agents. Always avoid abrasive materials that can scratch its surface.

For more, read How To Clean Stainless Steel: Complete Guide Including Do’s & Don’ts

How To Clean An Aluminum Doorknob

Similar to stainless steel, aluminum is quite resilient. Nevertheless, avoid cleaners containing chlorine as they can cause discoloration.

How To Clean A Brushed Nickel Doorknob

Known for its durability and easy maintenance, brushed nickel doesn’t easily show fingerprints or water stains. Use a soft cloth and mild dish soap for cleaning. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools as they can damage the finish.

Once you’ve determined the metal type, assemble your cleaning materials accordingly. The aim is to clean efficiently without inflicting harm to the doorknob’s finish.

Identifying Different Doorknob Types

Before we walk you through how to clean your doorknob, we need to find out what type of doorknob you have.

They come in various shapes, sizes, and types to suit different architectural styles and functional needs.

Let’s look at the three primary types of doorknobs you might have: traditional, lever, and electronic.

Traditional Doorknobs

Traditional doorknobs are the most common type of doorknob. They are typically round or oval in shape and operate via a rotating mechanism.

To open a door with a traditional doorknob, you grasp the knob and turn it, usually to the right, which withdraws the latch from the door frame allowing the door to open.

Traditional doorknobs can be made from a variety of materials, including brass, bronze, stainless steel, glass, and ceramic.

They can also feature various finishes such as polished, antique, satin, or oil-rubbed, providing a wide range of aesthetics to match your interior decor.

Lever Doorknobs

Lever doorknobs, also known as lever handles, feature a lever that you push down to retract the latch from the door frame.

This type of doorknob is often found in commercial buildings and public spaces due to its ease of use; it requires less grip strength than a traditional doorknob, making it more accessible for people with disabilities or limited hand strength.

Like traditional doorknobs, lever doorknobs come in a variety of materials and finishes. They also offer a more modern and streamlined look compared to their traditional counterparts.

Electronic Doorknobs

Electronic doorknobs represent the cutting edge of doorknob technology. These high-tech devices offer keyless entry, allowing you to unlock your door using a PIN code, an electronic key card, or even your smartphone in some cases.

Electronic doorknobs provide enhanced security features such as the ability to change the access code as needed, track who has entered your home and when, and some models even allow you to remotely lock or unlock your door.

While they are typically more expensive than traditional or lever doorknobs, their convenience and security features make them an increasingly popular choice for modern homes.

The type of doorknob you have will determine not only how you interact with your door but also the overall look and feel of your space.

Steps To Clean a Traditional Doorknob

Traditional doorknobs, which are common in many homes, can be made from a variety of metals like brass, bronze, stainless steel, or even coated plastic.

The metal type does influence the cleaning process, as some metals are more sensitive to certain cleaning products.

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean a traditional doorknob:

Materials Needed to clean a door knob:

1. Warm water
2. Mild dish soap
3. Microfiber cloth or soft sponge
4. Dry towel
5. Disinfectant wipes or spray (optional)

Steps to clean a doorknob:

Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. You want just enough soap to create some suds but not so much that it leaves a residue.

Remove Loose Dirt

Before applying any liquid to the doorknob, wipe it down with a dry cloth to remove any loose dirt and dust. This prevents you from rubbing grit into the surface of the knob, which could scratch the finish.

Wash the Doorknob

Dip your microfiber cloth or soft sponge into the soapy water solution and wring out excess water. Then, gently scrub the doorknob, taking care to reach all crevices.

Rinse and Dry

After thoroughly cleaning the doorknob, rinse your cloth with clean water, wring it out, and wipe the doorknob to remove any soap residue.

Immediately after rinsing, use a dry towel to dry the doorknob thoroughly. This will prevent water spots and potential damage to the finish.

Disinfect (Optional)

If you’re concerned about germs, you can follow up by using disinfectant wipes or spray on the doorknob. We use and recommend Force of Nature.

Do’s:

• Use a gentle touch to avoid scratching or damaging the knob’s finish.
• Pay extra attention to the area around the base of the knob, which is often overlooked.

Don’ts:

• Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals, especially on sensitive metals like brass or bronze, as they can damage the knob’s surface and degrade its finish over time.

By following these steps, you can ensure your traditional doorknobs are not only clean but also free from harmful bacteria and viruses, contributing to a healthier home environment.

Steps To Clean a Lever Door Handle

Lever doorknobs, commonly found in modern homes and commercial buildings, can be made from various materials like brass, bronze, stainless steel, or even coated plastic.

The cleaning process varies slightly due to the design of lever handles which allows dirt and germs to accumulate in more areas compared to traditional doorknobs.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively clean lever handles:

Materials needed to clean dirty lever door handle

1. Warm water
2. Mild dish soap
3. Microfiber cloth or soft sponge
4. Dry towel
5. Disinfectant wipes or spray (optional)

Steps to clean dirty lever door handle:

Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. You want just enough soap to create some suds but not so much that it leaves a residue.

Remove Loose Dirt

Before applying any liquid to the lever handle, wipe it down with a dry cloth to remove any loose dirt and dust. This prevents you from rubbing grit into the surface of the handle, which could scratch the finish.

Wash the Lever Handle

Dip your microfiber cloth or soft sponge into the soapy water solution and wring out excess water. Then, gently scrub the lever handle, taking care to reach all surfaces and crevices.

Rinse and Dry

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned the handle, rinse your cloth with clean water, wring it out, and wipe the handle to remove any soap residue.

Immediately after rinsing, use a dry towel to thoroughly dry the handle. This will prevent water spots and potential damage to the finish.

Disinfect (Optional)

If you’re concerned about germs, you can follow up by using disinfectant wipes or spray on the handle.

Make sure to let the disinfectant sit for the recommended amount of time on the product label to effectively kill germs.

How To Clean an Electronic Doorknob

Electronic doorknobs, also known as smart locks or digital locks, are becoming increasingly popular due to their added security and convenience.

These doorknobs can be made from a variety of materials like brass, stainless steel, or coated plastic, and often include electronic components, such as keypads or touch screens.

Electronic doorknobs require special care when cleaning.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean an electronic door knob, also known as a digital door lock or smart door handle:

Materials Needed:

1. Mild dish soap
2. Warm water
3. Microfiber cloth or soft sponge
4. Dry towel
5. Disinfectant wipes (alcohol-based)
6. Cotton swabs

Steps:

Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. You want just enough soap to create some suds but not so much that it leaves a residue.

Remove Loose Dirt

Before applying any liquid to the electronic door knob, wipe it down with a dry cloth to remove any loose dust and dirt. This prevents you from rubbing grit into the surface of the knob, which could scratch the finish.

Wash the Electronic Door Knob

Dip your microfiber cloth or soft sponge into the soapy water solution and wring out excess water. Then, gently scrub the non-electronic parts of the door knob, being careful not to let water seep into any electronic components.

Clean Around Electronic Components

Use cotton swabs to clean around buttons or touchpads. Never apply liquid directly to electronic components. Instead, slightly dampen the cotton swab with your cleaning solution and carefully clean around these areas.

Rinse and Dry

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned the knob, rinse your cloth with clean water, wring it out, and wipe the knob to remove any soap residue.

Immediately after rinsing, use a dry towel to thoroughly dry the knob. This will prevent water spots and potential damage to the finish.

Disinfect

Use alcohol-based disinfectant wipes to clean the surfaces of the electronic door knob. Ensure that the wipes are not excessively wet to avoid damaging the electronic components.

Do’s:

• Use a gentle touch to avoid scratching or damaging the knob’s finish or the electronic components.
• Pay extra attention to the area around the base of the knob and any buttons or touchscreens.

Don’ts:

• Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the knob’s surface and potentially harm the electronic components.
• Avoid using liquid disinfectants on the electronic parts.

By following these steps, you can ensure your electronic doorknobs are not only clean but also free from harmful bacteria and viruses, contributing to a healthier environment.

Differences between cleaning traditional doorknobs, lever door handles, and electronic door knobs

The main difference when cleaning electronic door knobs compared to traditional door knobs or lever handles is the need to avoid getting electronic components wet.

With traditional knobs and levers, you can use more liquid in your cleaning process as there are no electronic parts to consider.

Another difference is that electronic door knobs often have buttons or touchpads that require additional care. These areas can be cleaned with a slightly dampened cotton swab to avoid damaging the electronics.

Lever handles, due to their elongated shape, may collect more dust on top and require a bit more attention during cleaning compared to traditional and electronic knobs.

In all cases, regular cleaning will help maintain the appearance and functionality of your door hardware while also preventing the spread of germs. Always test any cleaning or disinfecting product on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage the finish.

Why Should I Clean My Doorknob?

Cleaning doorknobs may seem like a trivial task, but its importance cannot be overstated.

Doorknobs are high-touch surfaces that can serve as a breeding ground for germs, from bacteria to viruses, including the ones that cause common colds, flu, and even COVID-19.

According to a study conducted by the University of Arizona, when a virus is deposited on a doorknob by someone who is sick, it can spread to 40-60% of workers and visitors within just 2-4 hours.

The study used tracer viruses and found that contamination of just a single doorknob or table top results in the spread of viruses throughout office buildings, hotels, and health care facilities.

This rapid spread underscores the importance of regular cleaning and disinfection of doorknobs.

Moreover, keeping doorknobs clean can play a significant role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The average person touches a doorknob multiple times per day, and each touch could potentially transfer harmful pathogens. Dirt and oils from our hands can also accumulate over time on these surfaces, providing an environment for bacteria to thrive.

Cleaning doorknobs is particularly important during the holiday season, a time when homes often have more visitors, increasing the potential for germ spread.

Cleaning doorknobs is a simple yet crucial measure in maintaining good hygiene and protecting health. By reducing the level of germs on these high-touch surfaces, we can help prevent the spread of diseases and create a safer environment for everyone.

Conclusion

Properly cleaning your home, including doorknobs is essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, especially in a time where health and safety are paramount.

Whether you have traditional, lever, or electronic doorknobs, following the steps, dos, and don’ts outlined in this guide will help ensure that these often-overlooked fixtures remain in good condition and free from germs.

Regular cleaning not only promotes a healthy living or working environment but also extends the lifespan of your doorknobs, keeping your space functional and inviting.

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