How to Keep Your Sliding Door Track Clean and Opening Smoothly

Break out the handheld vacuum or the thin attachment for your regular vacuum. Begin by vacuuming up any loose debris in both the open section of the track and the area around the stationary side of your door. Be sure to vacuum on both sides of the stationary door since dirt, rocks, and stones can easily build up over time outdoors.

"Vacuuming the track is the most efficient way to remove the larger loose debris before wiping down the track with your preferred solution," says Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA.

Wipe the inside and outside of your track with a sponge damp with water and dish soap. You can even score the inside of your sponge so it fits perfectly over the multiple tracks and into the small crevices. Remember to get into the track around the stationary side of the track as well. If your tracks are relatively clean, this may be all you need to do before skipping to step eight.

Let the area dry thoroughly before adding more cleaning solution or jumping to the silicone lubricant. This is also a good time to determine if you need a deeper clean. While it’s drying, examine the door track to see if there are any spots you missed or stubborn areas of grime.

If you spot any particularly dirty areas still lingering, no worries. You simply need to tackle those spots with a tougher cleaning solution. You can break up harder-to-reach grime with a coating of baking soda and vinegar solution. For this step, begin by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda into the track on both sides of the door.

Next, combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle. Spray a light layer on the baking soda and let the reaction do its thing for about a minute. You’ll see some white fizzing action at the site where you sprayed. These bubbles will break up any stubborn grime hiding in the track and under the stationary door.

Now, use your sponge or a toothbrush to get into the small dirty spaces revealed by the baking soda and vinegar. If you get inspired, you can use the small toothbrush bristles for grime on the base of the door and the closing and locking mechanisms as well. Take your time with this step, as it’s easy to miss a few spots here and there. Be thorough with your scrubbing, and go over stubborn areas a few times.

Now for the satisfying part—the rinse. Use clean cold water to rinse the track and door to remove the cleaning solution. Keep your door open to allow it to fully air dry. Use your towel to dry off the water, and clean up any wet areas around the door.

You'll find a range of brands that sell silicone lubricants specifically for sliding glass door tracks. Be sure to read the instructions on how to choose the best type for your door's material and structure. The bottle will also note how and when to apply the lubricant for safe use.

Slide the door back and forth over the newly cleaned door and note if it catches in a specific spot. The clean track should allow you to spot any larger issues getting in the way and may inspire you to clean your sliding glass doors while you're at it.