If you’ve got a sliding door in your home, you’re probably familiar with the dirt and grime that has a tendency to gunk up the track. Cleaning that track might not be a regular priority, but when it starts slowing down the door (or causing it to stick altogether), it’s time to tackle the job. Luckily, it’s a fairly easy task—here’s what you’ll need to do.
What you need to clean a sliding door track
You don’t need special tools or expensive cleaners to get in between the metal tracks of your sliding door. Instead, TikToker Mr. Gardeners uses hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to lift the dirt and clean the track without any scrubbing. The items you need are:
Steps to cleaning the sliding door metal track
First, grab your handheld vacuum (or a vacuum with a hose attachment) and vacuum out any loose, visible dirt. Larger vacuum attachments aren't great for this, especially if you have a really small track or one with a bunch of levels and components inside. If that's the case, grab a cardboard tube, the kind you get when you run out of toilet paper. You just stick it to the end of your vacuum like you would any other attachment, as shown in this Instagram Reel from A Clean Bee. Bend the edge of the roll to make a slit and shove it into the small space. It works really well for pulling dirt out of crevices.
Then take your baking soda and sprinkle a fine layer of powder to thoroughly cover the track. Next, grab your hydrogen peroxide and pour it onto the metal track and let it sit for five to 10 minutes. The baking soda and hydrogen peroxide combination will create a reaction that raises the seen (and unseen) dirt to the top.
After the dirt has lifted, take a cleaning cloth or paper towel and wipe down the track. You can use a little water to rinse and remove any leftover residue, if needed. Repeat this process anytime your door starts to stick or feels rough or bumpy when you slide it. Watch Mr. Gardeners’ TikTok for visual step-by-step instructions.