How to clean window tracks, corners and weep holes

Step by step: how to clean window tracks, corners and weep holes

Safety first. Do not mix cleaners: bleach combined with vinegar or ammonia releases toxic gas. In homes built before 1978, window sills and tracks can hold lead paint dust, so wipe them wet, use a HEPA vacuum if you see paint chips, and never scrape or sand them.

1. 1

   Open the window and take out the screen

   Slide or raise the sash as far as it goes so the whole track is exposed, and remove the screen if it sits in the same channel. Put a towel on the sill below to catch drips.

2. 2

   Vacuum out the loose grit

   Run the crevice tool along the full length of the track, into both corners and the gap under the sash. Dead insects, sand and leaves should come out dry. Doing this first keeps you from making mud.

3. 3

   Loosen the packed dirt with a dry brush

   Scrub the corners and the base of the track with a small stiff brush to break up compacted dirt, then vacuum again. You will often get a second load of grit out this way.

4. 4

   Wet the track and let it soak

   Spray warm soapy water along the track until the grime is wet but not flooded. Leave it for about five minutes so the dirt softens. For mildew spots, the soap and dwell time do most of the work.

5. 5

   Scrub the corners

   Work an old toothbrush along the channel and into the corners. For tight spots, wrap a thin cloth around a butter knife and run it along the inside edges; the cloth comes out black, which is how you know it is working.

6. 6

   Wipe the track clean

   Wipe out the loosened dirt with paper towels or a damp microfiber cloth, rinsing and repeating until the cloth comes back clean. Wipe the bottom edge of the sash too, since it drags dirt back in.

7. 7

   Clear the weep holes

   Look for small slots on the outside face of the frame at the bottom, or openings inside the track. Clear them gently with a pipe cleaner, then pour a little water into the track and check that it drains to the outside.

8. 8

   Dry the track and test the window

   Dry the track with a cloth and let it air out for a few minutes before closing. Slide or raise the sash several times. If your window maker recommends it, apply a dry lubricant to the hardware so it runs smoothly.

Why weep holes matter

Weep holes let rain that gets into the track drain outside instead of into your wall or floor. When they clog with dirt or insects, water pools in the track and can leak indoors.

ProVia’s window care tips say to keep the sill track clean and keep all weep holes free of obstructions so water can flow outside. Some windows have small flaps or covers over the holes on the outside; do not remove or force them. A pipe cleaner is gentle enough not to damage a cover. If water still sits in the track after you clear the holes, contact the window maker, since it may point to a drainage or installation problem.

What to use on vinyl, aluminum and wood window tracks

Mild soap and water is safe on almost every track. Strong solvents, bleach and abrasive pads are where the damage happens, and what to avoid depends on the frame material.

Simonton lists products not to use on vinyl windows, including adhesive removers like Goo Gone, strong solvent cleaners, nail polish remover and cleaners with chlorine bleach. Marvin recommends cleaning sand, dirt and dust from hinges, sills and tracks, applying a dry lubricant to window gears, and keeping cleaning agents off weatherstrip. Andersen also recommends a dry lubricant spray for moving parts.

Sliding door tracks and older windows

Sliding patio door tracks are cleaned the same way, but take more grit, so vacuum them weekly in busy seasons. Sand in a door track grinds the rollers and makes the door hard to slide.

• Vacuum the bottom track, scrub it with soapy water and a stiff brush, and dry it. A sticky door often slides freely again once the track is clean.
• Avoid oily lubricants in the open track, which collect dirt. Use only what your door maker specifies, usually a dry or silicone product on the rollers.
• In a home built before 1978, treat sills and tracks as possible lead dust spots. The EPA recommends wiping window sills with a damp cloth and warns that worn paint on friction surfaces such as windows can create hazardous dust.
• Black spots that come back quickly mean ongoing condensation. See our guide to removing mold and fix the moisture source.

Mistakes to avoid

• Spraying cleaner into a track full of dry dirt, which turns it into mud that packs into the corners.
• Poking weep holes with a screwdriver and tearing the flap or cover.
• Using bleach or adhesive remover on vinyl tracks, which can discolor them.
• Oiling the track, which holds grit and makes the window stick sooner.
• Closing the window on a wet track, which traps moisture against the weatherstrip.