How to Clean and Maintain Your Mailbox

Complete step-by-step installation guide for your Vsons Design mailbox

Regular Cleaning Schedule

Every 3-4 Months (Quarterly):

  • Clean exterior with soap and water
  • Wipe down interior
  • Check door operation

Every 6 Months (Twice Yearly):

  • Lubricate hinges and locks
  • Inspect mounting hardware
  • Check for rust or damage (stainless steel models)

Annually (Once Per Year):

  • Deep clean
  • Apply protective coating (if needed)
  • Inspect post and concrete base (post-mounted models)

Step 1: Regular Cleaning (15 minutes)

Clean your mailbox to remove dirt, dust, and environmental buildup.

What You'll Need:

  • Mild dish soap
  • Warm water
  • Soft cloth or sponge
  • Microfiber towel for drying

Instructions:

  1. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water
  2. Dip soft cloth or sponge in soapy water
  3. Gently wipe down the entire exterior surface
  4. Pay special attention to the door and handle areas
  5. Wipe the interior to remove dust and debris
  6. Rinse with clean water
  7. Dry thoroughly with microfiber towel

Important: Never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or harsh chemicals. These can scratch the powder coating or damage the finish.

Step 2: Inspect for Damage (5 minutes)

Regular inspections prevent small issues from becoming big problems.

Check These Areas:

  • Hinges: Look for wear, rust, or looseness
  • Lock (if applicable): Test operation, check for corrosion
  • Door seal: Ensure weather-tight closure
  • Mounting screws: Check for looseness
  • Post (post-mounted): Look for rot, cracks, or leaning
  • Finish: Check for scratches, chips, or fading

Take Action If You Find:

  • Loose screws → Tighten immediately
  • Rust spots (stainless steel) → Clean and treat (see Step 4)
  • Damaged finish → Touch up with matching paint if available
  • Leaning post → May need re-setting or bracing

Step 3: Lubricate Moving Parts (5 minutes)

Keep hinges and locks operating smoothly.

What You'll Need:

  • Silicone spray lubricant OR WD-40
  • Clean cloth

Instructions:

  1. Spray a small amount of lubricant on hinges
  2. Open and close the door several times to work it in
  3. Wipe away excess lubricant with clean cloth
  4. For locks: Insert key and spray small amount into keyhole
  5. Turn key several times to distribute lubricant
  6. Wipe away any excess

Frequency: Every 6 months, or more often in harsh climates or high-use areas.

Step 4: Treat Rust Spots (Stainless Steel Only)

If you notice rust spots on stainless steel mailboxes (common in coastal areas).

What You'll Need:

  • Stainless steel cleaner or Bar Keeper's Friend
  • Soft cloth
  • Stainless steel restorer (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Apply stainless steel cleaner to affected area
  2. Rub gently in the direction of the grain
  3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
  4. Dry completely
  5. For persistent spots, apply stainless steel restorer
  6. Buff to a shine

Prevention for Coastal Areas:

  • Apply protective wax coating every 6 months
  • Clean more frequently (monthly)
  • Consider upgrading to marine-grade stainless steel (316L)

Note: Aluminum mailboxes cannot rust! This is why we recommend aluminum for coastal installations.

Step 5: Protect the Finish (Annual)

Maintain the protective coating to extend mailbox life.

For Powder-Coated Aluminum Mailboxes:

  • Clean thoroughly
  • Apply automotive wax once per year
  • Buff to a shine
  • No special treatment needed - aluminum won't rust!

For Stainless Steel Mailboxes:

  • Clean with stainless steel cleaner
  • Apply protective coating (especially in coastal areas)
  • Consider automotive wax for extra protection

For Marine-Grade Stainless Steel:

  • Rinse with fresh water monthly in coastal areas
  • Apply marine-grade protective coating annually
  • Clean with stainless steel cleaner quarterly

Step 6: Post Maintenance (Post-Mounted Models Only)

Keep the post in good condition to support your mailbox.

Inspection (Annual):

  • Check for rot, especially at ground level
  • Look for cracks in concrete base
  • Verify post is still vertical
  • Check for insect damage

Treatment:

  • Apply wood sealer or stain every 2-3 years (for wooden post)
  • Fill any cracks in concrete with concrete patch
  • Replace post if significant rot is present

Signs Post Needs Replacement:

  • Soft or spongy wood at ground level
  • Significant leaning that can't be corrected
  • Large cracks or splits
  • Heavy insect damage

Seasonal Maintenance Tips

Spring:

  • Deep clean after winter
  • Check for salt damage (from de-icing)
  • Lubricate all moving parts
  • Touch up any paint chips

Summer:

  • Check for fading from UV exposure
  • Ensure proper ventilation (no moisture inside)
  • Clean more frequently if near dusty roads

Fall:

  • Remove any leaf debris
  • Prepare for winter weather
  • Apply protective coating

Winter:

  • Clear snow and ice buildup
  • Check door operates in cold weather
  • Monitor for ice formation on lock

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Door won't stay closed:

  • Clean latch mechanism
  • Adjust strike plate if loose
  • Lubricate latch

Lock is stiff or won't turn:

  • Spray lubricant in keyhole
  • Try graphite powder for locks (doesn't attract dirt)
  • May need lock replacement if severely corroded

Numbers or letters peeling (vinyl):

  • Contact Vsons Design for free lifetime replacement
  • Clean area before applying new decals
  • Press firmly and smooth out bubbles

Water getting inside:

  • Check door seal
  • Ensure mailbox is slightly tilted forward
  • For wall-mounted: verify sealing kit is properly installed

Professional Maintenance

Most mailbox maintenance can be done yourself, but consider professional help for:

  • Post replacement (requires digging and concrete work)
  • Lock replacement if key is lost
  • Major damage repair
  • Re-mounting if mailbox was hit by vehicle

Maintenance by Material Type

Aluminum (Powder-Coated):

✅ Easiest to maintain

  • Cannot rust under any conditions
  • Minimal maintenance required
  • Just clean and enjoy!

Stainless Steel 304:

⚠️ Moderate maintenance

  • Can develop rust spots in harsh conditions
  • Requires protective coating in coastal areas
  • Clean regularly, especially near salt water

Marine-Grade Stainless Steel 316L:

✅ Best for coastal areas

  • Superior corrosion resistance
  • Requires less maintenance than 304
  • Still benefits from protective coating

Replacement Parts & Support

Available from Vsons Design:

  • Replacement keys (for locking models)
  • Mounting hardware
  • Vinyl numbers/letters (lifetime replacement)
  • Sealing kits for wall-mounted models

Contact Us:

  • Email: info@vsons.com
  • Website: vsonsdesign.com/pages/contact

Following these simple maintenance steps will keep your Vsons Design mailbox looking beautiful and functioning perfectly for 20+ years!