Our Top 3 Tips to Help You Maintain Your Pet Door

How to Maintain Your Pet Door

We recommend regularly cleaning the various parts and keeping an eye out for anything that appears worn out. Use these methods to get the most from your dog and cat doors and keep it looking good:

1. Keep It Clean – When and With What

When should you clean your doggy door? When it starts to get dirty. Don’t wait until it’s a grimy mess, as it’ll be more difficult to clean at that point. This is the most important DIY maintenance that you can do yourself. The flaps get a lot of use with all the coming and going. We suggest cleaning the flaps with gentle dish soap or Simple Green cleaner to keep them fresh and clean. Use a non-abrasive sponge that won’t leave any marks or scratches. 

2. Optimize for Energy Efficiency – It’s Easier Than You Think

There are a few options you can use to make a doggy door energy efficient. The first is to use two flaps instead of just one. We recommend that customers get our two-flap option for maximum energy efficiency. Our dog doors are built with four kinds of weather stripping that work together to create a strong seal, making ours the most energy-efficient on the market. 

3. Order Replacement Parts – Replace a Part, Not the Entire Dog Door.

At Hale, all our pet doors and replacement parts are made in-house at our U.S. factory. Nothing is ever outsourced. Should any part ever need to be replaced, you can purchase it directly from us, rather than replacing the entire door. Just change out any piece as needed. Like our doggy doors, all our accessories and replacement dog door parts are designed for long-lasting durability.

Dog  Door Maintenance FAQs

Here are some answers to the most common questions we’ve had from our customers:

What Are Some DIY Maintenance Tasks That Pet Owners Can Do Themselves?

There are many dog door maintenance tasks that pet owners can do on their own, such as replacing flaps and other parts. Hale makes it easy with our DIY installation guide for flaps and replacement parts.  

How Often Should You Clean Your Doggy Door?

Maintenance should be performed at least monthly. Clean off dirt with mild dish soap and water, and make sure that it does not have any damage or debris that blocks the door’s magnetic strips.

How Do You Repair a Damaged Pet Door?

If you have a Hale-brand pet access door, a better option is the replacement flap kit which includes weather stripping, magnets, and screws.

What Are Some Common Problems and How Can They Be Fixed?

Beyond flaps needing replacement, other common problems with dog doors include air leakage and security concerns. Hale tackles both issues with our high-quality weather stripping and security tips.

How Can You Extend the Lifespan of Your Dog Door?

With proper maintenance, such as regular cleaning and examining the parts for wear, you can get many years of use from your doggy door. Hale’s full line of original replacement parts can help.

The Hale Difference

Unlike our competitors, we use only the highest-quality materials in our pet doors, which are custom-built to order in our U.S. factory. Our doors are made from extruded aluminum with steel-reinforced corners for maximum strength and durability. See why we make the best pet doors and reach out if you have any questions.