When your sliding glass door no longer moves with ease, the culprit could be damage or warping, but it likely comes from a less nefarious cause: dirt stuck in the tracks.
Over time, little bits of dirt and debris can accumulate in the tracks, restricting your door from properly opening or shutting. If left untouched, the buildup can become so bad that it prevents your sliding door from opening altogether. Fortunately, cleaning the door tracks requires minimal supplies and is an easy DIY job you can take on yourself.
The Easiest Way to Clean Your Sliding Door Tracks
Cleaning sliding door tracks involves two steps: dislodging dirt and vacuuming and then damp cleaning. Depending on how dirty they get, aim to clean your tracks at least every 2-3 months or whenever noticeable buildup is present.
Step 1: Use a Shop Vac and Stiff Bristled Brush to Remove Dirt
No matter how dirty your sliding door tracks are, you need to start the cleaning process by using a stiff-bristled brush to dislodge dirt and a Shop Vac to suction it up. If you don’t have a stiff-bristled brush, use an old toothbrush or a wooden skewer to help drive out stuck-on grime.
Work on one section of the tracks, removing as much dirt as possible with your vacuum and brush. Then, move to the next section. Repeat until you’ve vacuumed the entire track.
Step 2: Damp Clean the Track
With the big stuff gone, it’s time to damp clean the tracks. You’ll need a sponge or microfiber cloth and a multipurpose cleaner. Spray down your sponge or cloth until damp, and then wipe the track. Go back over each section with a dry microfiber cloth.
Avoid spraying large sections of the track with your cleaner. Doing this can turn dirt into a muddy mess that’s hard to wipe out.
If you dislodged any big pieces during this step, go back over the track with your vacuum.
Other Ways to Make Your Glass or Patio Door Slide Easier
Cleaning your tracks should be routine maintenance and the first step in making a door slide easier. Aside from cleaning, check the wheels at the bottom of the door to ensure they’re correctly aligned. If they’re out of alignment, adjust the screws to bring them back where they need to be.
After cleaning, lubricate the door tracks with a silicone-based lubricant. Spray the lubricant evenly and open and shut the door a few times.
What to Do When Your Sliding Door Won’t Budge
When grime in the tracks is severe, it might prevent you from accessing the entire track for cleaning. In this case, you’ll need to remove the door.
Most sliding glass doors feature a cap at the bottom that covers a screw. Remove the cap and then remove the screws with an appropriate screwdriver. With the sliding door partially open, grab the door on both sides at the bottom, lift it, and gently pull it toward you. Note that this doesn’t work on all types of sliding doors, so you’ll need to check your owner’s manual for instructions before attempting DIY removal.
Also, some sliding doors are heavy and dangerous to remove on your own. In these instances, it’s safer to call a sliding door repair company to have them remove the door, assess the tracks, and check for other types of damage.
