How to Clean and Lubricate a Sliding Glass Door

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Reviewed by Barry Zakar

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

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The Thorough Way

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The Quick Way

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Sliding glass doors can become difficult to open because the track accumulates dirt and debris. The steps below tell you how to keep your sliding glass door sliding smoothly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

The Thorough Way

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Use this method at least once a year to thoroughly clean and lubricate the track to your sliding door. If you have a screen door, remove it first—–it will easily lift up and out of the track.

Push the door up so that the wheels on the bottom of the door clear the track. You may have to use a screwdriver to loosen the level screws for the bottom wheels in order to get them to clear the bottom threshold.

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Pull it towards you at the same time until it clears the door opening.
Position the top of the door inside the top track of the door opening.
If you have loosened any screws, retighten them once the door is completely back in its track to make sure the door is plumb.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

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If the track to your sliding door isn’t too gummed up with dirt and grime, you can get your door sliding smoothly again in about 15 minutes.

You may have to open and shut the door for several minutes before it slides smoothly.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I lubricate glass shower doors on a track?

Community Answer

I would recommend a dry spray lubricant like wax. Home improvement stores sell spray cans that use a carrier solvent to dispense wax, which is left after solvent evaporates quickly. Wax doesn't attract sand/dirt like WD-40 does. Use wax lubricant on bike chains, too.

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Question

How do I put a plastic shower back on track?

Community Answer

Use a powder-quality graphite such as Monkey Dust or Hob-E-Lube. If you find that doesn't work sufficiently, then use a super lubricant like NyOil or Krytox. Just know that these will be oil-based and can be a bit messy.

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Question

My sliding glass door will freeze shut in the winter. Is there something I can put on the track to prevent it?

Community Answer

Try an aerosol silicone-based lubricant. Silicone does not freeze, so this may solve your problem.

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Tips

It also helps to lubricate the tracks to your sliding doors every few months.

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Be sure to clean the tracks on both sides of the door.

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Clean the track to your sliding door every few months with a wire brush. The brush will loosen stubborn dirt deposits, which you can then vacuum.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Try to keep the track as clean as possible. Adding too much lubricant to the track does collects dirt and grit, which shortens the life of the rollers.
I like using very fine sandpaper to smooth out any nicks in the aluminum. After that, just wipe it clean with mineral spirits.

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Warnings

It’s best to have a helper if you are going to remove your door from its tracks. If you should have to loosen screws, your helper can spot you and make sure the door doesn’t fall before you can remove it.

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Try to avoid oily lubricants because they attract dirt and dust; you’ll have to clean the rollers and tracks of your doors much more often if you use any kind of grease or oil instead of a non-stick lubricant.

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