Barn Door Maintenance: How to Care for Your Barn Door

Sliding barn doors appeal to countless homeowners. Not only do these doors save space, but they also offer plenty of style, versatility, and functionality. You’ll find them practical for nearly any doorway, from the bedroom to the food pantry to the hallway closet.

Once you’ve chosen and installed the perfect door, you’ll want to follow barn door maintenance to ensure smooth operation. Here are some care tips for maintaining the look and integrity of your sliding barn door and hardware.

For Wood Doors

Wood sliding barn doors are a classic part of today's homes. To keep them dust-free, we recommend that you use a microfiber cloth to remove the dust lining the top and both sides of the door. Your next step depends on whether the door is painted or stained.

Stained doors should receive a light cleaning with furniture polish. Make sure you wipe in the direction of the grain, which means moving in the direction of the rays or swirls on the wood itself. Going with the grain ensures that you capture debris and apply a smooth layer of polish.

If you’ve painted your wood door, skip the polish and use warm water and dish soap instead. With a damp soapy cloth, wipe from top to bottom. Use a new damp cloth to rinse off any residue.

For MDF Doors

From the Lynnwood to the Shaker 5 Panel, our MDF doors have endless designs to suit your style. To clean your sliding barn door, you can follow the cleaning care tips for painted wood doors.

Use a microfiber cloth to collect any dust on top of the door and along either side, including in all those paneling details. Then, wipe the door from top to bottom using a damp cloth dipped in soapy water. Follow up with another cloth dampened only with water.

For Metal Doors

Doors containing metal need a slightly different approach. First, start with a microfiber cloth to remove dust from all surfaces. Then, dampen a sponge and spray all-purpose cleaner on it. Wipe the sponge along the metal, moving from top to bottom. If the sponge gets dirty, rinse it and spray more cleaner on it before continuing.

For Glass-Panel Doors

Sliding barn doors with glass inserts deserve a quality, non-abrasive glass cleaner. Spray on, wipe off, and enjoy the shine. Avoid spraying glass cleaner on the wood part of the door.

Cleaning and Maintaining the Hardware

Our final pro tip focuses on the hardware itself. Just like the doors, the hardware can collect dirt and grime, so it’s important to give it a good cleaning from time to time.

You can use a microfiber cloth to dust the rollers and rail. For any grime that causes friction, run a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar along the hardware. If your doors squeak when you move them, apply a small amount of olive oil to the rollers.

If your doors won’t stay open or closed, it may be time to relevel the rail. Remove the door, loosen the rail fasteners, and adjust the rail. Remember to tighten all fasteners and floor guides before remounting the door.

Barn Doors You’ll Love

At Barndoorz, we have tons of designs for the perfect sliding barn door. Give us a call or check out our ever-expanding collection of high-quality doors you can customize to your heart’s content.