How to Clean Patio Door Tracks?

One of the most common ways to keep your patio door tracks clean is by using a vacuum cleaner. You can also use sandpaper and elbow grease, but you will have to do this more often than not.

Cleaning metal sliding door tracks is a simple task. The first step is to remove the dirt and debris that has accumulated on the track. Next, use a vacuum cleaner to suck up any remaining debris. Finally, apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust. Read more in detail here: how to clean metal sliding door tracks.

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Few individuals think about cleaning their patio door tracks. However, it might be one of the areas of your home that need quick repair. If your patio door tracks get too dusty, your door will not close correctly. It may seem to be a daunting task, but with the correct equipment and materials, the cleaning will go lot more smoothly.

Cleaning out your patio door tracks is probably not on your list of things to do. The prospect of saving time, money, and having a freshly cleaned door track, on the other hand, is highly appealing. Continue reading for straightforward, step-by-step instructions on how to clean your patio door tracks properly. 

Contents Table of Contents

 

  • Collect the necessary equipment
  • Scrape using the Scraping Tool
  • Use a Crevice Tool with Your Vacuum
  • Vinegar and Soda (baking) are sprinkled on top.
  • When the above-mentioned tools aren’t available, use other tools.
  • When Should Your Patio Door Tracks Be Cleaned?
  • Make Sure Your Track Isn’t Dirty

Contents

Collect the necessary equipment

Cleaning your patio door tracks is a rewarding undertaking, but make sure you have the right equipment for the job.

All of these items should be readily available in your house, or you can get them at your local department shop. 

There are several alternatives to the tools listed below, which will be discussed further down in this article. The tools listed below have typically been proven to work regardless of how filthy your patio door tracks are. The equipment and resources you’ll need to clean your track are listed below.

  • We commonly utilize a 5-in-1 painter’s tool as a scraping tool.
  • Tool for vacuuming crevices
  • a rag or a paper towel
  • Soda (baking) 
  • Vinegar

Scrape using the Scraping Tool

The scraping tool(s) you choose will be determined by the thickness of the dirt and grime, as well as the amount of space available in your tracks. A toothbrush may be used as a scraping tool, however in certain circumstances, a more powerful tool is required.

If you haven’t given this area of your house much thought in the past, it is most certainly filthy. In this situation, invest in more powerful instruments that will speed up the procedure. Use some elbow grease in addition to whichever tool you use.

 

This is what the patio door looked like after we cleaned it. It looks nicer, and closing the doors is easier.

How-to-Clean-Patio-Door-Tracks

Scraping the dirt and debris off using wire brushes will be the most effective method. A rounded wire brush can assist you get into corners, while a straw brush will help you access hard-to-reach areas. Scrape up and loosen the top layer of soil using a combination of these instruments. The more you scrape together today, the better off you’ll be in the long run. 

Use a Crevice Tool with Your Vacuum

A crevice tool was most likely included with your vacuum. You know, the tool you only use once in a while since it never served a function. It now serves a function!

After you loosen the first couple of layers of dirt, use your vacuum with the attached crevice tool to suck up the loose dirt. Alternate using the Tool for vacuuming crevices after scraping off each layer of dirt with the scraping tool mentioned above. 

Once you put down your Soda (baking) and vinegar mixture (in the next step), you will want to avoid the vacuum and stick to using a a rag or a paper towel to wipe up the residue. Make sure to open and close your patio door after vacuuming to loosen as much hidden dirt as possible. 

Vinegar and Soda (baking) are sprinkled on top.

After you’ve scraped and vacuumed the debris and grime away, there will surely be a layer or places that your equipment won’t be able to remove. Scraping and cleaning will not enough since they will be caked on after years of being crushed into the track.

At this point, you will need your Soda (baking) and vinegar. This mixture will soften up the dirt and debris that is left behind.

  • This solution should not be pre-mixed since it will result in a bubbling chemical reaction.
  • Sprinkle the Soda (baking) on the stubborn areas and pour vinegar over the top.
  • Enable the mixture to settle for a few minutes to allow the chemical reaction to occur. 
  • Allow just a few minutes for the chemicals to combine and loosen the dirt.
  • With your paper towel, start wiping the area.
  • Repeat this process as required to clear up the layer of loosened dirt, which may take a few times to remove all of the filth.
  • Allow the mixture to soak into the track’s crevices to eliminate any dirt. 

When the above-mentioned tools aren’t available, use other tools.

The tools listed above are just recommendations based on what has been determined to be the most successful. You may utilize common home objects to complete the task. For easy-to-reach areas, an old toothbrush may be used as a scraping tool. Furthermore, an SOS pad or firm sponge might work well to loosen dirt if your track is simple to get into. 

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For the corners, a butter knife or flathead screwdriver can work perfectly. Make sure to wrap these tools in a a rag or a paper towel to avoid damaging your track or door or injuring yourself.

Instead of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide added to your Soda (baking) causes a similar chemical reaction and assists in loosening up the dirt and grime. A household cleaner is another acceptable alternative but may not be as effective. Be cautious of any chemicals you use, and make sure you know whether or not it is safe to mix.

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When Should Your Patio Door Tracks Be Cleaned?

After you’ve cleaned, scraped, vacuumed, and wiped your tracks, it’s time to put them away. “How frequently do I need to do this?” you’re probably wondering. The explanation is that you don’t want to put yourself in the same situation again by waiting until your tracks are disgustingly unclean before cleaning them.

It’s best to wipe your track down once a week. If you don’t have a lot of free time, cleaning the track after each season or four times a year will enough to keep the dirt and sludge at bay.

Wiping down your track might also be included into your regular cleaning practice. The more often you can clean it, the less difficult it will become over time. 

Keep the Track Clean

To prevent a squeaky and loud door, lubricate your track after cleaning it. To keep your patio door moving smoothly, keep it clean and lubricated using a silicone-based lubricant. At least once every two months, you should lubricate your track. 

A filthy patio track may lead to increased wear and tear, necessitating its replacement. The more you maintain and care for your track today, the better off you’ll be in the long term and prevent having to pay for costly repairs or replacements.

Make Sure Your Track Isn’t Dirty

After you’ve cleaned your patio door track, consider what preventative measures you may take to avoid getting it filthy again.

  • Getting a doormat is one step you can take. The doormat will be your first line of defense against all the dirt and grime that will be tracked into your house. 
  • If you have pets, give them a brushing before bringing them inside the home. Pet hair will always make its way into your patio door track, and taking preventative measures can help you avoid this problem. 
  • Before entering, take off your shoes. Mud and filth like traveling on the soles of shoes. This issue may be avoided entirely by requiring everyone to remove their shoes before entering.

Avoid needing to clean your patio door track by taking preventative measures. Cleaning your patio door tracks on a regular basis and properly might save you from having to set aside an entire day to do it. Keeping the tracks clean in the first place, on the other hand, will make a huge impact. Patio tracks aren’t the only thing that has to be cleaned, so make sure to read up on how to keep your patio cushions, patio, and mesh furniture clean as well!

 

The “best tool for cleaning sliding door tracks” is a product that can help clean and maintain the sliding door tracks. It is a soft bristled brush that has been designed to work on all surfaces of the track.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to clean the track of a sliding glass door?

Can you use wd40 on sliding glass door tracks?

A: I am not sure what wd40 is. Please explain to me the application of this product.

How do you clean Aluminium sliding door tracks?

A: Your best option would be to scrub the tracks using a toothbrush and dish soap, then rinse them with water.

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