Cleaning windows is an integral component of spring cleaning but cleaning window tracks is definitely one of those yucky jobs that no one likes doing. As far as I’m concerned, cleaning the tracks is just as important as cleaning the windows themselves. Depending on where you live you’ll find different types of dirt in your window tracks – dust, dirt, pollen, mold, insects, spiderwebs, etc. Any or all of these particles can be found in your window tracks – no one wants to open a window only to let dirt in to the house. If you suffer from allergies you’ll definitely find some relief once you’ve cleaned the pollen and dust from the window tracks. The good news is if you clean your window tracks in the spring and fall you’ll be cutting down on how long this task takes.

Want to tackle this not-so-fun spring cleaning task?

Gather your supplies:

  • castile or dish soap
  • warm water in container
  • sponge
  • bath towel for the floor
  • microfiber cloth
  • soft cloths for drying window sills and tracks
  • scrub brush or old (but clean) toothbrush
  • vacuum if necessary

Get started:

Place a bath towel on the floor to catch and drips and dirt.

 

Carefully remove the window screens. If these are dirty, take the time to spray them with your hose outside or wipe them clean with your sponge.

Vacuum up any loose dirt or debris with the hose attachment of your vacuum cleanerif your window tracks are really dirty. Make sure you clean the attachment when you are done with the job.

Put about 1 teaspoon (or a good squirt) of dish soap to warm water in a container.

Add warm water to the soap to make a soapy solution for cleaning your window tracks.

Dip your sponge in the warm, soapy water and scrub over the tracks.

 

If the sponge isn’t working, use a scrub brush to help loosen up the dirt and debris.

 

Rinse and repeat scrubbing until all the dirt is removed. Change the water if it gets dirty. Yuck, right?

Don’t forget to wipe the sills and latches clean.

 

Dry thoroughly and admire your clean windows.

Go to this post for my favorite methods and recipes for washing windows.