How to Keep Your Hardware Looking Brand New

How to Keep Your Hardware Looking Brand New

The sheen and sophistication that comes from out-of-the-box hardware really makes a world of difference to the appearance of your property. But over time, the hardware of your doors can lose their lustre, leaving your home looking old and tired.

Don’t worry though - you don’t have to immediately rush out to replace all of the hardware in your home – there are ways to renew the appearance of hardware, and they’re easier than you might think.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you to keep your hardware looking brand new.

How to Clean Your Hardware

Some homeowners who are the proud occupiers of older houses pride themselves on retaining the original patina of metal hardware, but just because they want their home to maintain its antique finish, doesn’t mean it has to look corroded or tarnished. You can still clean door hardware quickly and easily while accentuating the original features of your home.

What You Will Need To Clean Your Hardware

In order to clean your hardware, you will require:

?         A toothbrush or soft-bristled brush

?         Water

?         Gloves

?         Cloths

?         Metal cleaner

?         Furniture or car wax

If you can’t find an effective metal cleaning product, you can make your own from a mix of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar which will work particularly well for older doors where you want to remove some, but not all, of the patina.

Bronze Finishes

Oil rubbed bronze finishes are finishes that evolve over time, meaning they have a continually changing appearance. Because this type of finish doesn’t have a clear coat, the flat brown coating usually wears down to a coppery tone.

In order to take care of bronze finished hardware, you should wipe down the surface with a small amount of vegetable oil on a soft cloth – however, be careful not to use too much, as this can leave a residue on your hands when you use the door.

If you want to restore the hardware’s colour without affecting the original compound, you can use a household detergent or a mild abrasive powder that can be wiped away. Finish off by rubbing in a coat of furniture wax to keep the hardware looking pristine.

Clear Finishes

In order to maintain the appearance of clear finished hardware, you only need to clean periodically with non-abrasive soap and buff the hardware slightly with a dry cloth.

Applying non-abrasive car wax is also a good idea when working with clear finishes as this will protect the hardware while also preserving the colour beneath.

Chrome Finishes

Chrome hardware is one of the easiest metals to maintain and can be wiped down with just a damp cloth. If you need to restore the metal, you can use high-grade chrome polish to bring back the finish.

Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar can also be used to clean chrome efficiently – mix the two ingredients together to form a paste and brush into the hardware using a toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush. Leave the mixture to sit for a few minutes to work on dissolving the grime and then wipe away with a cloth.

Know When it's Time to Replace your Hardware

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to restore the metal on your doors to a suitable standard. If hardware has been unmaintained for too long, it’s best to start fresh and replace the hardware.

Replacing hardware can instantly transform the look of a building; this is particularly the case with replacement letterboxes, door handles and locks.

The main thing to remember when choosing new hardware is to check that the size matches what you currently have in place; this will help to avoid any installation difficulties.

Order Hardware Online

Ordering hardware online has never been easier thanks to our online store. We have a huge array of key hardware available to purchase today; from door handles and chains through to hinges and latches.

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