A few weeks ago I realized how hard I had to work to open and close our windows, once I saw the tracks I knew what the problem was. Todays DIY project is a quick way to clean window and door tracks in 6 easy steps.
It’s a lot easier than you’d think and you can do it using a few simple ingredients found in your kitchen.
Yuck! Dirty window and door tracks are annoying and look awful. I made a video with step by step instructions to share how easy it is to clean window and door tracks.
Step 1. Gather the supplies you’ll need to clean your window or door tracks. The best part is you won’t be using harsh chemicals and you probably have everything already.
- vacuum
- white vinegar
- baking soda
- paper towels
- warm water
- paper towels or clean rags
- brush
- 3-IN-ONE Dry Lock Lube
Step 2. Vacuum the tracks while using the brush to dislodge whatever caked up dirt you can.
Step 3. Sprinkle some baking soda into the tracks and follow it up with white vinegar. The video shares how much to use and shows how the fizzing action helps to dislodge the stubborn dirt in the tracks.
Step 4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Vinegar can be corrosive so you’ll want to be sure the entire area is rinsed really well.
Step 5. Use paper towels or clean rags to dry the tracks completely.
Step 6. Once you’re done rinsing and drying the tracks the next important step is to lubricate them. I used 3-IN-ONE Lock Dry Lube. It dries clear, isn’t sticky and won’t attract dirt which makes it great for freshly clean window and door tracks. This helps them glide better and treats the area to help protect it.
A little goes a long way. I also used Lock Dry Lube in my post How To Lubricate Door Locks , on squeaky hinges and our rusty barbecue grill wheels so I could move it away from the window for this post 🙂
It’s much nicer to walk by clean window and door tracks now, they look so much better!
This is a simple DIY project, I need to put it on my seasonal to do list. If you do too I made a simple graphic you can use to save this tutorial to Pinterest for later:)
Looking for more ways to maintain your home with simple DIYs? Visit Handy U for lots more useful home DIY tutorials.
You’ll find my project linked up to these fabulous parties!
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sahana says
Great tips. I am trying this next time I clean my windows. Thank you for linking up with us at #HomeMattersParty .See you again next week.
Wendi says
Hi Sahena, You’ll love how easy it is to get window and door tracks clean using this method. Who likes to scrub, right?? Thanks so much for your visit!
gail says
I have 2 large sets of sliding mirror doors…. the tracks get soooo gross!
Wendi says
I’ve struggled with my window tracks for the longest time. This is an easy way to clean them. I think the mirror doors would be difficult since you can’t just rinse them like the windows. Sounds like a post topic to me! LOL
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
Great tips that I plan on using on our basement slider windows that attract all kinds of debris being so close to the ground. Love the baking soda and white vinegar tip that will surely cut down the time it normally takes me to clean the tracks. Pinning to my household tips board.
Wendi says
Hi Marie, This method works well and I didn’t have to scrub at all. The baking soda & vinegar mix worked like a charm. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to clean your windows! Thanks so much for your visit!
Jody says
Thanks Wendi, I have fall cleaned every room,attic and basement. Now onto curtains and the dreaded tracks. I am so relieved to see a much more person way to do it.
Wendi says
Hi Jody…Gosh, you sound motivated! Fall cleaning is usually not high on my list of want to do’s! This was an easy project and can be done in less than 10 minutes a window:) Hope you find it works well for you too:) Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cindy says
Wendi, can I just hire you to come clean mine? LOL! Thanks for the tips. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Wendi says
Hi Cindy… Err, It took me forever to get to cleaning my windows! So I think you’re on your own! LOL At least it’s an easy method and doesn’t take any scrubbing or heavy lifting:) Thanks so much for your visit!