Top 2 Secrets To Cleaning Sliding Doors Easily

A quality sliding door should last very long and continue to slide flawlessly, even after many years of constant use. Our experienced sliding door engineers have put together the best ways to clean sliding doors so that you can use them for a long time. These instructions for cleaning sliding doors can be used not only for RoomIdea sliding doors but also for sliding doors from other companies.

Why is it important to clean sliding doors?

Cleanliness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle to uphold in your home. One way to keep your home tidy is to constantly clean the sills and tracks of your sliding doors. By cleaning the sliding door track often, you can get rid of the dirt, dust, and other things that build up there. The dirt will eventually make it hard for the door to slide smoothly, and it may also be bad for your family’s health.

The sills also gather dirt, dust, and debris over time, which, if not frequently cleaned, can cause water damage. Cleaning is necessary for your health and safety, as well as to keep things looking nice. Because of this, it’s important to learn about all the different ways to clean and come up with a plan that works for you.

Parts of the sliding door need cleaning

There are four parts to focus on when cleaning your sliding doors. They include:

The door panel

The doors comprise a metal structure that supports a glass panel. Manufacturers glue the glass to the frame to keep it in place, keep it from breaking, and keep it from moving around. The frame is put together, either by bolting all four sides together or by welding them together. Some sliding door styles have two door panels that can both slide, whereas others have one panel that is fixed in place and cannot move while the other door slides back and forth from one side to the other. Swing doors have rollers attached to the top and bottom that make them open and close easier. Fixed doors do not have screws attached to them. Some patio door systems also have panel doors that slide open or close parallel to the glass door. Whatever the design is, the door panel should be cleaned routinely to keep it neat and free from dirt.

The tracks

Another part that needs cleaning is the track. The head and the crossbar are the upper and lower tracks where the door rests and slides on. They usually have a pair of high and low tracks to support two doors. A track cover, which is usually an extra, keeps the track from getting worn down and makes it easier for the door to slide along the track. Rubber stops on the head and sill keep the sliding door from slamming into the frame.

The jambs

The jambs are the vertical parts of the frame. The top and bottom of each jamb connect to the head and sill of the entire frame to support the sliding or stationary panels. When you close the door, the jamb has slots that the hinges fit into and hold the door closed. A jamb that supports a moving door also has a spot for the lock to securely connect and hold the door to the wall.

The Sill

This is the horizontal compartment that makes up the base of the sliding door frame. The sill, which is usually put on the bottom of doors that lead outside, is fastened to the floor and sealed well. With the right sill in place, you have successfully staved off water and air that may have had access to your home.

Tools for cleaning sliding doors

If you are wondering how to clean your sliding doors and make them look new, keep in mind that the main answer is to use the best products and the most efficient procedures for it.

The small spaces found in sliding door rails sometimes present a problem because they are difficult to access. This makes it essential to use custom tools for its cleaning.

You have two options to choose from when considering what sliding door cleaning tools to use. You can buy professional tools for cleaning sliding doors or use things you already have around the house.

Save more with home remedy cleaning tools

Assembling cleaning tools for your sliding doors does not have to cost you a lot. There are dozens of materials in your home that you can convert into cleaning equipment.

For example, a toothbrush is a great alternative to a sliding door track cleaning brush. You may also prefer to use an ear swab or a thick, stiff-bristled brush to clean the sliding door track.

Another improvised tool is a blunt butter knife (the type used to spread butter on bread), which you can use in place of door cleaner joint knives.

You can convert your old or spare cotton towels into a cleaning cloth. After a cleaning cloth, they are the next best for dry or damp surface cleaning. Special cleaners don’t have to be used to get rid of grease and other stubborn dirt. Instead, you can use mild toilet soap or detergent.

Used to get rid of dirt from areas not easily reached by hand, a hairdryer, if available, is an ample choice for those who do not have a vacuum cleaner.

You can creatively figure out many other materials around your home to aid your door-cleaning task.

Professional sliding door tools

Alternatively, you can invest in a professional sliding door cleaning kit. They are quite expensive, but they include all the tools for a simple sliding door cleaning. Some tools you may find in a standard kit include:

• Sliding door track cleaning brush
• Soft cotton-based towel
• Sliding door cleaning joint knife
• Scouring pad
• Dustpan brush
• Shutter brush
• Straw cleaner brush

Other professional cleaning equipment to purchase includes:

• A brush-attached vacuum cleaner
• Pressure water pump
• Non-corrosive and non-abrasive multi-purpose cleaning agent
• White vinegar
• Soda
• Hydrogen peroxide

How to clean sliding doors

Cleaning your home is not always easy, so it is understandable if you think of different ways to clean the dirt that is difficult to access. One place where the most dirt accumulates and with which we can have the most problems is the rails of the windows and sliding doors. For this reason, we want to show you two ways in which you can perform this cleaning in a very simple and fast way.

Like all other furniture and objects of daily use, you should also clean sliding doors regularly. For optimal results, each part of the sliding door should be treated with the right cleaning agents. It is important to avoid ‌too aggressive cleaning agents, which may corrode surfaces or damage your door. If you are unsure about the material used, we always recommend asking the manufacturer or having the cleaning instructions handed out directly.

Cleaning sliding doors according to types and parts

Depending on the sliding door, we recommend cleaning it with the following materials:

How to clean wooden sliding doors and decorative sliding doors

Wipe wooden or decorative sliding doors with a slightly damp cloth (e.g. microfiber or cotton towel material). When you come across difficult stains, apply some pressure to get the dirt out of the way. Using additional cleaners is not recommended for this type of door because of the coating.

How to clean sliding glass doors

Sliding doors made of glass, lacquered glass, or with a mirror can be cleaned either with commercially available glass cleaner or vinegar-based cleaner. Microfiber cloths, a glass wipe, or chamois leather are suitable for this. Depending on the glass surface used, more aggressive cleaning agents can damage the seals and paintwork.

How to clean sliding door rails, profiles, and fittings

Here,  we are focusing on sliding door fittings and rails made of high-quality stainless steel such as aluminum. In principle, it is enough to wipe the materials with a lightly greased cloth. If you find dirt inside the rail, you can also use a vacuum cleaner to push them out. For more coarse soiling, use mild detergents or special aluminum or local cleaners. Never use aggressive stainless steel or normal aluminum cleaners on anodized aluminum. If the running rails are very dirty, the sliding door leaves should be removed before thorough cleaning.

Note: In addition, it is always important to ensure that the doors are only wiped with a damp cloth and not wet, which prevents moisture from getting into the rail and fitting material.

Cleaning with specific cleaning agents

Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda

White vinegar and baking soda are impressive cleaning products, and they work for a ton of tasks. So it might not surprise you too much to learn that they can also clean dirty sliding door tracks. Follow the below step-by-step for the best results:

Assemble your cleaning tools

First, you will need to gather your cleaning tools; a vacuum machine, spray bottle, vinegar, baking soda, a toothbrush, and a microfiber cloth.

Vacuuming

The next is vacuuming! Vacuum up the largest dust and specks of dirt that have accumulated on the rail. If you don’t have a vacuum that has access to tricky places, you can use a hairdryer and have the dirt go somewhere else where it’s easier to clean, just like gardeners do with leaves.

Apply your soda and vinegar solution

Sprinkle some baking soda along the window tracks, then pour a cup of white vinegar cleaner into the spray bottle. The mixture should fizz slightly, and after a few seconds, a small paste will form.

It’s time to scrub and clean

Remove the remains with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. If you see that the dirt is not removed, it is probably because it is very encrusted, so you should repeat the operation as many times as necessary. Use the old toothbrush to scrub!

Cleaning with dish soap

One of the easiest and most effective to clean your house is to use warm soapy water. See how it can be done step by step:

vacuuming

Vacuum first to remove as much dirt as possible.

Apply your cleaning solution

Next, use the soap -better if it is from a dishwasher- by putting it in a spray bottle with warm water. Shake well and spray this mixture on the rail.

Clean off as required

Let the soap soak in, then remove the mixture with a microfiber cloth. And ready!

hydrogen peroxide for cleaning

Hydrogen peroxide is a very efficient cleaning agent against stubborn dirt. Its chemical composition is like that of water, but an additional oxygen molecule makes it a highly reactive substance. This product will be of great help if your window has mold.

Mix cleaning solution

Apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle -as in the previous tricks- and fill the rest with water. Shake the bottle to mix the contents.

Apply solution generously

Spray the mixture onto the door track and allow it to sit for a few minutes and loosen any dirt or grime.

Clean thoroughly

Next, clean the window with a cloth or microfiber cloth. If there are still traces of dirt, repeat the process as many times as necessary! You can help yourself with a butter knife or an old toothbrush to remove the most encrusted stains.

Conclusion

Sliding doors and windows are ideal because with them we do not lose space in those rooms in which we have them installed. However, it is necessary to maintain them and always keep them clean. Cleaning routines are essential if we want to prevent dirt from becoming embedded and then having a much harder time removing it. And, maintenance is essential to make sure that the doors and windows close well.