How to Clean Window and Door Tracks (and How Often You Should Do It)

While most areas of your home are cleaned regularly, others often go overlooked. This is especially true for window and door tracks. With many nooks and crannies, these tracks can be a hub for grime, insects, dust, and even mold—all of which leave the tracks looking visibly dirty. If you have tried to clean your window and door tracks in the past and found removing accumulated debris difficult, you're not alone. Luckily, restoring these tracks to their former pristine condition is made easy with a few everyday cleaning supplies. Here we share exactly how (and how often) to clean them.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these cleaning supplies on hand before getting started.

• Bristle brush
• Vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment
• Spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth(s)

How to Clean Window and Door Tracks

Though tedious, cleaning these tracks is an important part of keeping your home free of dust and debris. "Cleaning your window and door tracks is important because dirt and debris accumulate in the tracks over time, making it difficult to open and close your windows and doors," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean.

Fortunately, the process and required cleaning supplies are the same for cleaning both window and door tracks, so you can tackle both tasks at once.

1. Scrub the tracks with a bristle brush to loosen any dirt.
2. Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment to remove loose dirt and debris from the tracks.
3. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts warm water with white vinegar.
4. Spray the solution generously on the tracks, covering all the surfaces.
5. Let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes to break down any buildup.
6. Use a toothbrush to scrub the tracks thoroughly, getting into all the corners and crevices.
7. Wipe away the loosened dirt and cleaning solution with a damp microfiber cloth.
8. Repeat until all of the dirt is gone.
9. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the tracks dry. Ensure they're completely dry to prevent mold or mildew.

How Often to Clean Window and Door Tracks

You should deep-clean your window and door tracks as often as you clean your windows, which is a few times per year. "Major window manufacturers recommend cleaning your windows two to four times per year to increase the lifespan of your windows," says David Flax, president of Window Genie, a Neighborly company. It's best to tackle this chore during the spring and fall to help remove dirt, dust, and debris that has accumulated throughout the year. Note that regular weekly cleaning helps limit grime buildup in the tracks.