If your sliding or double-hung windows have become tough to open, you can lubricate your window tracks with a silicone-based lubricant or wax to get them opening smoothly again.

Whether you have older wooden windows or windows with vinyl tracks that slide open, there’s no doubt that sticky window tracks are a nuisance.

The good news is that there’s a relatively easy and inexpensive fix for this problem.

Car and home insurance

comparison and shopping super-app

Jerry

has created a guide on how to lubricate sliding window tracks.

Follow our step-by-step process to learn how to lubricate windows at home quickly and easily!

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Why do I need to lubricate my windows?

Taking care of your home should be a top priority if you’re a homeowner, and your windows are no exception. Just like most components of your house, your windows require regular maintenance. If you’re experiencing sticky windows, lubricating the sliding window tracks prevents damage to your windows, window sashes, and window frames.

If you regularly lubricate your windows, you’ll spend less money down the road because you won’t have to replace your windows nearly as often.

Still not convinced? Sticky windows can pose serious danger to you and your family in an emergency, like a fire. Lubricating vinyl window tracks is a great step to making sure you’re protected.

MORE: How to remove window tint from car windows

Things you’ll need

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to lubricate your windows at home.

Tools

Clean cloth or paper towel

Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment

Bucket

Products

Vinegar

Hot water

Silicone-based lubricant

Wax (if you have wooden windows)

Prep your window tracks

Before lubricating your sliding window tracks, you’ll need to make sure they’re clean and clear of any debris.

Clean debris from the tracks

Open your window as high as possible to expose the vinyl or wooden window tracks.

Take a damp cloth and gently wipe down the tracks to break up debris like dust, mold, and grime that often causes your window tracks to stick.

Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to get rid of any debris you loosened with the damp cloth.

Wash off mold, paint, and grime

Use about a cup of vinegar mixed with a half-gallon bucket of hot water to give your window tracks a deep clean. Soak a cloth in the mixture and apply it to stubborn patches of grime, mold, or even paint.

Wipe off the mixture with a clean damp cloth and dry your freshly cleaned window tracks.

Lubricate your window

Now that your wooden or vinyl window tracks are squeaky clean, it’s time to learn how to lubricate your windows.

Lubricate wooden window tracks

If you’re working with wooden window tracks, you’ll want to rub a light coat of wax over the tracks to lessen the friction caused by the wood.

You can use a block of paraffin wax or even candle wax to do this. You don’t need to melt the wax though—simply rubbing the wood with a light coat will do the trick.

Lubricate vinyl window tracks

To lubricate vinyl window tracks, you’ll want to spray a silicone-based lubricant onto a clean cloth and wipe the product over the window tracks. Open and close the window a few times to coat your tracks evenly and and continue to apply until your window slides open easily.

Inspect your window sashes

Your window sashes are the part of the window that slides up and down your window tracks. If you continue to have sticky windows even after lubricating your window tracks, you may want to inspect the sashes and ensure they’re not damaged.

Damaged window sashes will make it tough to open windows. If it looks like something’s wrong with your sashes, it might be time to replace your windows.

MORE:

How to clean the inside of a car windshield

How to find affordable homeowners insurance

While lubricating your window tracks is a great way to keep your home protected, finding the right home insurance that fits your budget is the best way to ensure you and your home are covered.

That’s where insurance shopping and comparison super-app

Jerry

can help.

It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.

No long forms. No calling around. No hard work. Just savings. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year* on car insurance.

“
Jerry
made switching over to new insurance so quick and easy! My monthly payment went from $469 to $362 by switching me to Progressive. 10/10 would recommend!” —Luanne T.

MORE:

How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

FAQs

How can I tell if my windows need to be replaced?

One of the best ways to tell if your windows need replacing is if they still stick after lubricating the tracks. Windows that are difficult to open and close are unsafe and ineffective, so you should replace your windows if stickiness persists.

Can I use WD40 to lubricate my windows?

Do not use WD40 to lubricate your windows! WD40 might thicken in your window tracks and make your problem worse. Always stick to a silicone-based lubricant to lubricate vinyl window tracks, and wax for wooden tracks.

Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance

Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!

Try Jerry