How to Clean Dirt Trapped Inside of Patio Doors

It's often a thankless task to clean out dirt from patio doors. While sliding doors do afford great visibility and don't take up room space when they're opened, the perpetually trapped dirt inside the gliding frame is annoying. You can try sweeping it out, vacuuming it out or scraping it out. Small holes on the external frame help avoid flooding on the inside and permit drainage for washing them. It'll take persistence and several techniques to free up debris and clean away the dirt. And be prepared to do it all again same time next year.

Things You'll Need

• Brush
• Vacuum cleaner with small attachment
• Bucket
• Mr. Clean or ammonia
• Rubber gloves
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Open the sliding patio door to its fullest extent. Open the screen door if applicable. Brush the bottom of the gliding frame using a brush of medium stiffness. Try to sweep debris to the outside by using sweeping brush stokes that finish toward the outside.

2. Vacuum the gliding frame of the door. Use a vacuum cleaner that has a very small attachment, or that has a round brush attachment with long bristles. Brush back and forth while the suction is on in an attempt to remove more debris.

3. Put on a pair of rubber kitchen gloves. Prepare a bucket of warm water with ½ cup ammonia or Mr. Clean. Dampen a sponge and ring it out. Wipe the entire length of the gliding frame using a thin sponge. Allow liquid to soak the corners and then sponge up any dirt. Rinse out the sponge in the bucket and continue cleaning in this manner until no more dirt remains in the cracks or along the frame.

4. Allow the frame to air dry with the door opened for about 30 minutes.

5. Clean the screen door from the outside. While the screen door is still open, wipe down the bottom using the sponge. Clean underneath as well as possible, or pop out the sliding door for cleaning if it's easy to remove and reinstall. Clean the roller wheel to remove dirt and debris. Reinstall the sliding door and go inside.

6. Close the sliding patio glass door. Clean the glide frame on the stationary side of the patio door set. Brush and vacuum as above. Complete the cleaning on the inside of the house using the sponge and cleaning liquid as before.

7. Clean the outside of the stationary door glide frame from the outside of the house. Close the screen door to expose dirt in the outside portion of the door slide. Brush, vacuum and sponge the dirt as before.

Tips & Warnings

• Monthly brushing can help avoid major cleanups.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How To Clean Doors | Clean Sliding Glass Doors