Introduction: Hack for Cleaning Inside Sliding Window and Door Tracks
The Simplest Instructables are usually the best. Here is an effective easy way to clean inside any sliding window or door track. It requires minimal supplies and works extremely well.
Supplies
- Sponge
- Soap & Water
- Marker
- Knife
Step 1: Marking the Sponge
Place a regular kitchen scrub sponge on the track of the window or door. Using a marker, put a mark on the sponge where each piece of track is. It doesn't matter how many tracks there are as long as the sponge is wider than the track.
Step 2: Cut the Sponge
As the title says use a knife and cut down the lines on the bottom of the sponge. Cut the full depth of the sponge, this may take several passes with the knife.
Step 3: Clean Away
Wet the sponge in warm soapy water and push it down the track. When the sponge gets to the end of the track there may be larger debris left just vacuum it out and push the sponge down the track again.
Step 4: Done
All done! Now your windows and doors will slide quietly and easily.

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28 Comments
1 year ago
"Cleaning" vinegar kills mold really well and if you keep the area that was black soaked for a few hours it'll follow the unseen tendrils back to the source and keep it from coming back. Follow-up with Tilex to fully remove the staining.
1 year ago on Introduction
Goid idea!
1 year ago
So simple!!! Thank you for sharing
Reply 1 year ago
Hope it helps!
1 year ago on Step 1
This is a great idea
Reply 1 year ago
Thank you
1 year ago on Introduction
tem494 step 2
I would suggest using an electric knife for cutting the foam I believe it will make a cleaner cut.
Reply 1 year ago
Doesn’t matter, the cleanliness of the cut doesn’t affect the cleaning and the sponge is garbage after anyway. Quick and easy is the strategy here.
3 years ago
very good!
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you! Please vote for it
3 years ago
If you have an electric meat carving knife it will cut the foam effortlessly.
Reply 3 years ago
Great idea! I guess any serrated blade would work better
3 years ago
This is great advice. It will come in handy for cleaning the sliding shower doors on bathtubs.
Reply 3 years ago
Absolutely works great!
3 years ago
nice will be trying soon
Reply 3 years ago
Awesome hope it helps
3 years ago
Great idea!
Any thoughts on what to do to clean up the "mold" that accumulates in window sills after being shut tight for 6 months?
Reply 3 years ago
For mold you need bleach or a pre mixed store bought mold solution. It’s a living thing that needs to be killed as well as removed. Cut the sponge in the same way.
Reply 3 years ago
Like George57 already said just vinegar - have used it exclusively in shower mold for over 50 years with great success. Folks simply don't do it because of the intense smell.
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you heaps! I do not mind the smelj