It’s hard to believe that summer is already slipping away. While many of us are still dealing with record high temperatures and drought conditions, we are all seeing the days getting shorter and in many cases the kiddos are already heading back to school. Fall and winter are right around the corner and will be here before we know it. Every year we usually see an uptick in replacement flap sales when cold weather arrives. Why not beat the rush and spruce up your Hale Pet Door to be ready before Old Man Winter starts blowing and snowing?! Here are a few tips you can use to keep your pet door in tip-top condition.
Clean the flaps regularly (and other parts too)
We all love cold, wet puppy and kitty noses giving us kisses but they can leave a residue on your pet door flaps that can make them virtually opaque over time. Regular cleaning is the best way to prevent this buildup and extend the life of your flaps. We recommend cleaning your flaps once every month or two to help keep them looking your best.
We clean our flaps with Simple Green and paper towels. If you don’t have Simple Green, you can use a mild detergent like dish soap and lukewarm water and any soft cloth. You may have to use a little more elbow grease but never ever use an ammonia based cleaner (like Windex or most other glass cleaners) to clean the flaps as this will cause the vinyl to dry out and actually shorten the life of your flaps.
If desired you can also occasionally apply a vinyl protectant (such as Armor-all) or Turtle Wax to your flaps to help prolong their life.
Clean and Maintain All Parts of Your Pet Door No Matter What Model It Is
Replace Your Flaps or Any Other Parts If Needed
As with all movable parts our flaps do eventually wear out and need replacing. The time frame for this can vary greatly depending on the size of your pet door, the installation location, the number and size of pets using the doors, the weather in your area, and many other factors. If cleaning and regular maintenance aren’t enough anymore and it is time to replace the flaps on your pet door here are some tips to make it easier.
Following these simple steps will help keep your Hale Pet Door looking its best and ensure its reliability for years to come.
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