Curb appeal is not just for when you’re selling your home, but all the years you spend happily living there, hosting guests and welcoming friends and family.
Learning how to clean and maintain your wooden door number is a small but important part of keeping your exterior looking sharp, as well as sending out a little warning signal to would-be burglars that your home is taken care of and it’s best they leave well alone.
We spoke to home maintenance, wood-work and cleaning experts for their top cleaning tips for your wooden door numbers.
10 ways to clean and maintain your wooden house numbers
1. Inspect regularly
(Image credit: HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams)
Inspect and tighten loose screws on your wooden house number. Owner of Tranni Home Remodeling, Tyler Tranni says, ‘As an expert remodeler, I’ve restored and maintained many exterior wood elements over the years. The key is regular sealing and cleaning.’
Tyler explains how neglect leads to damage. ‘But with regular inspections, numbers and signs can endure for decades in even harsh climates like New England’s,’ Tyler adds.
Jason Hedtler, an expert in roofing and exterior maintenance carries out his checks on wooden door numbers at least every six months. He adds, ‘I recommend inspecting the numbers at least twice a year for any damage or weathering. Small issues should be addressed immediately to prevent costly repairs down the line.’
2. Clean
(Image credit: Future / Alicia Taylor)
Every few months, Tyler inspect house numbers and signs, scrubbing away dirt with fine-grit sandpaper. ‘For stuck-on messes, denatured alcohol works well without damaging the finish, Tyler says. ‘For deep stains, make a paste from baking soda and water and let it sit before wiping clean. Once a year, lightly sand to rough up the surface so the new sealant grips better.’
You can purchase denatured alcohol at Walmart, but do follow usage and storage instructions closely to avoid accidents.
Home buyer and renovator Yosef Adde of I BUY LA points out regular dusting and wiping is essential between bigger cleans. He says, ‘In the case of wood signs, one of the most important aspects of preserving them is periodical dusting or wiping. I recommend microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush, as these do not harm the surface of the wood.’
Multi-pack microfiber purchases, especially of ones that have reinforced edges for durability such as Amazon’s Choice HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cloths are worthwhile as they are cleaning workhorses and wash well in the machine. Just avoid fabric softener when washing microfibers cloths to ensure they stay absorbant.
Make sure to avoid steel wool or other coarse cleaners that will scratch the wood.
Yosef has also used gentle cleaning solutions to good affect. He adds, ‘I’ve also found using a mild dish washing soap several parts of water to do the trick. Use a soft cloth to wipe before gently scrubbing the area. Harsh cleaning products are not encouraged as they only take away the natural oils of the wood.’
Your regular Dawn Dish Soap, available at Walmart will work just fine, as well mild baby soap, says Daniel Brown US-based cleaning expert and CEO of Handy Cleaners.
3. Reseal
Tyler says ‘I re-seal the wood with polyurethane, which protects from weathering and prevents warping. UV-protectant sealants are musts. If the wood deteriorates badly, replacement is best to maintain curb appeal. With the right products and care, wood house numbers will last and look great for years.
Jason Hedtler adds, ‘The key is using quality sealants specifically designed for exterior wood and re-applying every 6-12 months to maintain protection. With regular maintenance, quality materials, and proper ventilation, wood house numbers can last for many years. For Massachusetts weather, cedar is an excellent choice as it’s naturally resistant and ages beautifully.’
Oil-based sealants seem to be superior and preferred by our experts. Kristin Hintlian, owner of construction company Bonsai Builds explains. ‘I apply two coats of oil-based sealant, waiting 24 hours between coats. Oil penetrates deep into the wood, protecting from moisture and sun damage. I re-seal every 6-12 months.’
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Protective Wood Finish, Warm Satin, 1 Quart
Clear and durable, oil-based sealants such as this one are preferred by our experts as it penetrates deep into the wood and protecting it from moisture and sun damage.
4. Paint regularly
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, says, ‘Just like other exterior wood features, your wooden house numbers will last much longer if they’re properly treated with stain or paint on a regular basis.’
Learn more about the best ways to stain wood in our dedicated guide.
In the mean time, Rafi adds, ”One of my favorite approaches here is to paint them in a contrasting color to help them stand out. Make sure you use a proper exterior paint, especially if your numbers are made of unfinished wood, they may need painting or staining more frequently than the rest of your exterior.’
5. Protect against moisture
Yossef Adde, home renovater recommends protecting your wooden door number from moisture as a priority. ‘Since wood is a natural material, it is vulnerable to the elements, so I recommend using a water-repellent wood sealer like Thompson’s WaterSeal at least every 1-2 years to prevent moisture damage to the wood.
‘Also, make sure you pack the edges of the wood sign and the back too because these areas tend to be ignored. I recommend Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Protector.’
6. Watch out for wood rot
Yosef Adde says, ‘Look out for rotting. If your wooden door sign is weathered badly, and the body quite exposed to humidity, regularly check for signs of wood rot or dampness on those areas which are susceptible to them.
This applies to wooden exterior cladding and decks too.
7. Arm wood against sunlight
(Image credit: EDGEiD/The Homestead Resort)
Yosef Adde says, ‘For house number signs that are located in direct sunlight, applying a stain you again a UV resistant clear wood finishing like Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane protects the wood from fading and cracking.’
It’s also available in a gloss finish at Amazon if you prefer that to a satin.
When choosing where to place your wooden house numbers, Daniel Brown of Handy Cleaners, says, ‘Place your number or sign, if possible, under an overhang or a place that is partially shaded to lessen any potential harsh weather exposure.’
This factors in when protecting your sun deck from damage too.
8. Pick cedar numbers
Construction company owner Kristin Hintlian explains her preferences for certain wood types when it comes to wooden house numbers that will stand the test of time.
She says, ‘Cedar is ideal for house numbers because it resists rot and insects naturally. With regular sealing and care, cedar numbers can last 10-15 years. Addressing issues early and re-sealing regularly prevents expensive repairs down the line.
‘For example, a client had cedar numbers that were fading and splitting after five years. After sanding, re-sealing and installing a protective topcoat, they looked like new and will last much longer.
Redwood is also a great wood for outdoor furniture and door numbers.
9. Deal with mold
If you’ve spotted a common household mold on your wooden house numbers, deal with it quickly.
Jeremy Yamaguchi is CEO of Lawn Love. He says, ‘If your wood house number sign gets mold buildup, which isn’t uncommon for wooden things exposed to the elements, you can use a mold cleaner. A product I really like is Mold Armor [available in spray form on Amazon] which can also be used on wooden fences and decks.
‘This product is specifically designed for deep cleaning wood, and it works really well. It comes in a spray, and after you apply it, you can let it sit for as long as you like before hosing it off. ‘
10. Be water-wise
Whilst pressure washing is great for some exterior areas, blasting off dirty and grime build up, you should never use a pressure washer to clean your wooden house numbers.
Daniel adds, ‘Be water-wise and take special caution when washing down your house’s facade. Protect your wooden signs from direct, high-pressure jets of water that may soak through and create water damage.’
Pressure washing could also blast off any protective layers such as sealant or paint.
Next, explore front door number styles and materials.
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