How to Clean Window Frames and Runners in 4 Steps
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1 hours
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Beginner
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- 15
Besides the glare of grime that has built up since your last window wash, it’s likely that the tracks of your windows and sliding glass doors have become encrusted with dirt, debris, and even mold. But don’t avoid them. Begin fresh with these easy steps to clean your window and sliding glass door frames.
Step 1 - Vacuum
If you’ve accumulated everything in your window tracks from pet hair to Christmas tree pine needles, an easy way to start the cleaning process is by vacuuming out any loose debris in the track. The slotted wand tool is handy for getting into the grooves. Don’t worry about spending too much time on this step since even the crevice tool often doesn’t do a great job of sucking the gunk out of those tight spaces.
Step 2 - Initial Clean
With the larger particles out of the way, it’s time to dig into the dirt. Use your favorite multi-purpose cleaner to spray the area. Allow a few minutes for it to work the debris loose while you vacuum out the next window frame. Then, use a cloth to wipe away the residue. This is just a quick wipe down to take off the top layer.
Step 3 - Secret Ingredient
To further release the buildup in your window frame runner, try this handy cleaning secret. First, sprinkle the area with baking soda. A light layer is all you need. Next, dribble white vinegar over the baking soda. You could also apply the vinegar using a spray bottle. You will notice the mixture begin to bubble as it deep cleans. Avoid using a large amount of soda and vinegar so that you have less to clean up. Only a small amount is needed. Allow the mixture to sit for five or more minutes. After all, the more work it does, the less you have to do. Once the bubbles die down, you are ready for the next step.
Step 4 - Final Wipe Down
Grab an old toothbrush and scrub out the corners. It’s amazing how much filth hides out where you couldn’t even see it! Finally, use a rag to once again to wipe out the runner. Because there are so many small areas that can gather dirt and debris, use a sharp tool such as a knife, pencil, or screwdriver to guide the cloth across the dirt. This helps pick up grime from all the surfaces. Just make sure that your cloth is absorbent so that you are not just pushing the muck around. Cotton swabs or Q-tips are great for getting into nooks and crannies, too. They are small and do not absorb very much though, so save them for the really detailed work. Paper towels are an absorbent and disposable choice as well.
Enjoy the Results
While cleaning windows is a typical part of seasonal cleaning, letting the light shine through might just make your gunky window frames even more obvious. Even though it only takes a few minutes, cleaning the tracks of your windows and doors has a huge impact on the general feeling of cleanliness in your room. Plus, it pushes away the dread and gives you a little boost each time you open the window to let in the fresh spring air. As a bonus, taking the time to clean your window and door tracks makes them work more efficiently, too!
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![Dawn Hammon]()
Dawn Hammon has thrived in freelance writing and editor roles for nearly a decade. She has lived, worked, and attended school in Oregon for many years. Dawn currently spends her days convincing her children she is still smarter than them while creating new experiences with her husband of 24 years.  Her multiple interests have led her to frequently undergo home improvement projects. She enjoys sharing the hard-earned knowledge that comes with it with the audience of DoItYourself.com. Dawn and her sister make up a power-tool loving duo that teaches classes to local women with the goal of empowering them to tackle their fears and become comfortable with power tools. Tapping into her enthusiasm for saving money and devotion to sustainable practices, Dawn has recently launched a passion project aimed at connecting eco-friendly products and socially-responsible companies with consumers interested in making conscientious purchases, better informing themselves about products on the market, and taking a stand in favor of helping to save the planet. When she is not providing stellar online content for local, national, and international businesses or trolling the internet for organic cotton clothing, you might find her backpacking nearby hills and valleys, traveling to remote parts of the globe, or expanding her vocabulary in a competitive game of Scrabble. Dawn holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, which these days she mostly uses to provide therapy for her kids and spouse. Most recently, I worked for a small local professional organizing and estate sale company for four years where I learned a ton about organizing and/or disposing of just about anything. She was raised in a tool-oriented, hands-on, DIY family. Her dad worked in the floor covering business and owned local floor covering businesses, so of course selling floor covering was one of her first jobs. Her brother was a contractor for about 30 years and site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity. I worked with him often, building decks, painting houses, framing in buildings, etc. With her sister, she holds power tool classes to empower women who are scared or have never used them. Not quite homesteaders, she did grow up with a farm, tractors, motorcycles, expansive gardens, hay fields, barns, and lots of repairs to do. Plus she and her family preserved foods, raised cattle and pigs, chopped and hauled firewood, and performed regular maintenance on two households, outbuildings, fencing, etc. As an adult, she has owned two houses. The first one she personally ripped out a galley kitchen and opened it up to the living area, plus updated every door, floor covering, and piece of trim in the place. In her current home, she's tackled everything from installing real hardwood flooring to revamping the landscape.![Lindani Chirambadare]()
With over 20 years of professional home cleaning experience, Lindani has extensive knowledge about best practices, space management, and cleaning solutions. Lindani especially loves researching natural, non-harmful ways to clean. She holds an LLBS from the University of Zimbabwe, and is a lifelong learner who always seeks to improve the world around her.
