You've taken the time to decide on the style, design and finish for your new door handles, you've fitted them and they look great. Now you want to keep them looking like new, but what's the best way to care for and clean them?

External door handles may need a different type of care and maintenance to those used indoors, however it doesn't need to be time consuming or expensive to keep on top of it. The finish on your door handle or door pull will determine the type of product best suited to keeping it clean and functional.

Stainless Steel

NEVER use wire wool or carbon steel brushes to clean your stainless steel door handles and pulls - this can cause damage to the surface and allow particles to become embedded in the surface leading to rusting or other corrosion occurring. Warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth are all you really need to keep your stainless steel clean, and make sure to dry it well after cleaning to avoid any water marks being left behind. For more stubborn marks, any non-scratching household abrasive cleaner should do the trick, again make sure to rinse and dry thoroughly!

Polished Brass

Whilst you may have spent hours helping your grandparents polish the fireside companion set, when it comes to your door handles, the best way to keep your polished brass lever door handle on plate furniture looking shiny is with plain and simple warm soapy water and a soft cloth. The polished brass ranges we supply have all been treated with a special lacquer, and the use of metal polishes or other abrasive cleaners will damage this and cause it to wear away far quicker than it would under normal use. Eventually after a good few years of use, this lacquer may well breakdown, at which point, you should remove the door handle or pull, and treat it with an acetone thinner applied with a soft brush. Dry well with a soft cloth and then polish up with a metal polish. Regular polishing thereafter will keep them looking great.