Many put off cleaning the window tracks around their home as it can be a tedious and time-consuming task, but it is important to give them a little TLC every so often to keep them in tip-top shape and prevent them from prematurely wearing. Here are some tips to help you clean your window tracks like a pro.
What Are Window Tracks?
Most of us have an idea of what window tracks are, but for those who don’t, this is for you. The tracks are the channels that run around the sides and bottom of the window frame. They prevent the elements from getting inside, heating and cooling loss and allow your window to open and close.
Why Should You Clean Them Regularly?
Window tracks get dirty relatively quickly and before you know it, they are filled with dirt, dead bugs, and dust. Cleaning them ensures your home is hygienic, not only that, clean tracks allow the windows to open freely and you don’t risk them getting jammed or letting drafts in.
What Do I Need To Clean My Window Tracks?
Before attempting to clean your window tracks, you’ll need the supplies mentioned below to get the absolute best result:
- Cleaning cloths
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Detergent
- Spray bottle
- Gloves
- A toothbrush
- A vacuum cleaner with a dusting brush attachment
- A bucket of lukewarm water (only needed if the first attempt doesn’t remove all dirt)
How To Clean Your Window Tracks
Open The Window And Remove The Screen
To make sure you get into every nook and cranny, you should open your window as far as it will go. You can clean your window tracks with the screen in but for a professional finish, we suggest removing it if you can. Give it a good clean with a garden hose and dry with a clean cloth. If the dust is stuck on and not shifting, you may need to scrub it with a soft brush using some warm soapy water. Reposition the screen once you have finished cleaning the window tracks.
Vacuum
The next step is vacuuming. Attach the dusting brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner and run it along all surfaces of your tracks. This will lift and remove any debris that may be lingering. It’s important not to skip this step as wetting the dust and dirt before removing it can create a gunky paste which can be troublesome to remove.
Sprinkle With Bi-Carb Soda
If your window tracks aren’t very dirty and vacuuming has removed most of the dirt you may be able to skip this step. If they haven’t been done for a while, you should follow on with this step. Sprinkle bi-carbonate soda over your tracks ensuring that the entire surface has a light coating. Add more to dirtier areas.
Wet With Vinegar
Using your spray bottle, pour around a cup of white vinegar into it. Generously spray vinegar on all areas that have the bi-carb soda on it. Don’t forget the vertical window tracks. The vinegar and baking soda will form a frothing concoction that will lift any dirt and grime from the window tracks. Let this sit and do its thing for around 5 minutes before moving on to the next step.
Scrub Tracks
After the baking soda and vinegar have been sitting for around 5 minutes, apply your cleaning gloves and using your toothbrush, gently scrub the tracks. It should come away easily, once you have scrubbed away the dirt you can wipe down with a clean cloth to soak up any leftover bi-carb vinegar mixture. If there is residual dirt remaining after you have scrubbed and then wiped, squirt a little detergent into a bucket of warm water and wipe until removed. Dry the tracks entirely using a clean cloth or paper towel and leave the windows open for a while to dry up any remaining moisture. Repeat if necessary.
How Often Should I Clean My Tracks?
Obviously the more you take off your tracks the longer your windows are going to last. Many clean their tracks once a year although it is recommended to clean them twice a year. Leaving them for a year without investigating them can see them exposed to moisture which can lead to rust and mould growth. Keeping on top of the maintenance makes the job much easier and will take less time to clean than if you left it for longer than you should.
Tip: If you’re planning on cleaning your windows and window tracks at the same time, make sure you clean the window panes first otherwise the liquid from your panes will run into your freshly cleaned tracks and you’ll have to redo them. Vacuum your tracks, clean the windows, and then clean the window tracks last.
Call In A Professional
If your home is exceptionally large or you just simply don’t have the time to clean your window tracks, it’s a good idea to hire a professional window cleaner to take care of it for you. This will ensure your tracks look great and are highly functional for many years to come.
Are you looking for some advice regarding the windows in your home? Get in touch with our highly experienced team here at True Blue Glass, with more than 10 years in the industry we know a thing or two about windows and their tracks and would be happy to help if we can.
