Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Locksets
It’s that time of year when we clean everything, get rid of the old, and in with the new – and this applies to your locksets too. If you want to ensure your locksets work like they did the day you got them, it’s important to clean and maintain them. Here are a few tips how:
Cleaning
This part is simple, but crucial. Use a mild detergent and a damp rag to clean your lockset – include the handle, the rosette, the strike, the mounting trim, and the deadbolt itself. This prevents a buildup of dirt or grime that will cause the lock to seize up or stick. Avoid any harsh chemicals or petroleum-based products while doing this as it can cause more damage to the lock instead.
Testing
It’s not often enough that we thoroughly investigate and test our locksets, that’s why there’s no better time to do so than while you’re spring cleaning. Check on your strike plates and the screws on your door – certify they are not loose or easily removable. If you’re not positive, change out the screws and make sure they are three inches in length for better protection and continuing in your lockset maintenance. While you’re there, check that your deadlatch and deadbolt are working correctly. Examine them to determine if they are installed properly and that the deadlatch is not falling onto the strike plate of the door. If so, change your lockset immediately since this is the most important part of keeping your home safe and secure.
Lubricating
This is often overlooked but an integral part of maintaining your lockset. Since locks get filled with dirt and grime after extensive use, they often stick or don’t work as smoothly. By using a graphite lubricant, or any other dry lubricant, you avoid this buildup, and your lockset will work better. To lubricate your lockset, simply spray a small amount of your lubricant of choice into the keyhole. Then, take your key and insert it in and out repeatedly while wiping any left-over remnants from the key every time.