Your exterior doors serve as the front line of protection for your home. Without your noticing, they protect your family from rain, snow, dirt, and debris that would otherwise damage the interior of your home. 

Mold and mildew are also on the list of items your exterior doors protect you against. All this exposure to your exterior doors, however, may mean dirt debris, mold, and mildew are collecting on your door. Better your door than the interior of your home.

Because your exterior doors in Ohio are doing such a big job protecting your home, it is important to give them a little maintenance and attention every once in a while. This will ensure they continue to stay effective. 

Mold and mildew can wreak havoc on your exterior doors, especially if your door doesn’t get much sunshine. These green-gray-black menaces are caused by excessive moisture, such as rain or humidity. Although mold and mildew can cause issues in any geographic location, those in hot, humid climates are especially susceptible.

Other than simply being unsightly to look at, mold and mildew can greatly impact the air quality of your home. Even on exterior doors, the spores can enter your home each time you open the door. Mold and mildew can also be an indicator of rotting, which will eventually cause your exterior door to be less and less effective as rotting spreads. 

How do you protect your home and stop mold from harming your exterior doors?

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth on Exterior Doors

Dealing with mold on the inside of your home is different than dealing with it on exterior doors. Inside, keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees or below, using a dehumidifier, and ensuring good ventilation can all help keep mold at bay. Unfortunately, you can’t “turn off” high temperatures or damp air outside.

The best thing you can do to prevent mold growth on your exterior door is to keep it from getting too bad by regularly cleaning and treating it. Additionally, if you don’t already have mold growth, consider a coat of a mildew-resistant stain blocker and primer

How to Clean Mold and Mildew Off Exterior Doors

  1. Utilize protective gear: Gather rubber gloves and a face mask.  Mold spores can float in the air and do damage to your lungs, so it’s best to avoid inhaling them.
  2. Create Cleaning Mixture: You can pour 1/4 cup bleach and 1 tablespoon of regular dishwashing soap into a spray bottle. In a second spray bottle, put 1/4 cup of vinegar and fill the rest with water.
  3. Spray Down Door: Use your garden hose on a mist setting to douse your door with gentle water, then mop with a long-handled brush. 
  4. Spray Bleach Solution: Don’t forget the corners and underneath! Rinse this solution completely off the door.
  5.  Spray vinegar solution: Cover the door entirely, then rinse again with water. This will kill any mold and soap that remains on the door. 
  6. Dry: Thoroughly Dry the door with a towel. Set a big box fan in front of the door and let it run for at least fifteen minutes until the door is totally dry. 

Exterior Doors in Ohio

Has your exterior door been taken over with mold or mildew? Has it gotten to the point of rotting? This could mean it’s time for a new exterior door. Browse our selection of exterior doors at Springfield Overhead door and we can replace your old moldy door with something new and shiny!