How to Clean Window Tracks in 5 Easy Steps

How to Clean Window Tracks

1. Vacuum Dirt Away

   First, slide your windows up as high as they can go, or, even better, see if they can be popped back (this typically involves holding down a lever or two on the top of the sliding window). If you have window screens, try to take them off as well. And while they're off, go ahead and clean them—all you'll need to do is shake them off, spray them with a soapy mixture, rinse them off with a hose, then let dry.

   Next, grab a mini vacuum or your regular vacuum with a narrow hose attachment. Run the vacuum from the top of the window tracks down to the bottom, sucking up any loose dirt and debris.

2. Add Baking Soda

   Once you've vacuumed your window tracks, sprinkle baking soda onto them. You may need to gently toss it onto the tracks depending upon the angle and height of the window.

   The baking soda should be generously applied, but it should not be so generously applied that the baking soda sits in clumps or piles.

   If you're struggling to apply it without it clumping, consider using an old makeup powder brush.

3. Spray Vinegar

   Next, combine one part water to one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the water and vinegar mixture onto the baking soda-covered window tracks. The mixture will fizz. Let it sit for five to 15 minutes, depending on the dirtiness of the window tracks.

4. Scrub the Tracks

   Using an old toothbrush, scrub the window tracks, paying special attention to any nooks and crannies within the tracks. Doing this will ensure that the baking soda and vinegar combo reaches every part of your window tracks.

   Make sure you work from top to bottom to ensure dirty baking soda doesn't end up on your freshly scrubbed window tracks.

5. Wipe Clean

   Next, grab your paper towels or microfiber cloth. You may want to use paper towels rather than a microfiber cloth as you'll probably be repeating this step multiple times with a clean towel or cloth each time.

   Wipe the baking soda and vinegar mixture off the window tracks, again working from top to bottom. This may take multiple passes. If your tracks are still dirty, or the mixture has dried on, spray the tracks with vinegar again to get them extra-clean before wiping away with paper towels.

Tips to Keep Your Window Tracks Clean Longer

After you've gone to all that hard work to clean your window tracks, here's a few tips to keep them clean longer.

• Ensure you're regularly cleaning the other parts of your window, like the frame, glass, and screen. This will prevent dirt from building up in the harder-to-clean tracks.
• Try to keep your windows closed when it's an extra dusty, windy, or pollen-filled day outside. This helps to keep unnecessary dust, dirt and pollen from sneaking into your window tracks (and your home).
• Give your window tracks a quick wipe down in fall to prevent all the dust and dirt that built up over summer from getting stuck on (and harder to clean) during winter.