Q: How do you clean the metal tracks of sliding patio doors?
— D.G., Three Oaks, Mich.
A: Remove the loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner outfitted with a crevice tool, or brush it out with a paintbrush. Then you can remove the sticky residue with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits, window manufacturer WindowPro says. Stretching the dampened cloth over a putty knife or similar blade may help you reach into the tracks better.
WindowPro recommends spraying the tracks with spray silicone after they’re cleaned to help the doors slide better. Don’t use a petroleum-based product such as WD-40, because it will attract dirt.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
