If curtains on a ceiling track move in jerks or get stuck, the fabric is rarely to blame. Gliders with hooks or clips run inside the profile, and they are the first to suffer from dust and greasy film.
Ceiling profiles come in single and multi-channel versions, in metal or plastic, hand-drawn or corded. They are easy to overlook when cleaning, so a lot of dirt builds up. Regular cleaning and lubrication restore a smooth glide.
What you will need
Important: A ceiling track is high up, so work only from a stable stepladder, ideally with a helper. Take the curtains down before treating the track and protect the floor and furniture below from drips.
Step 1
Remove the curtains, gliders and hooks
Start by taking down the curtains and, where possible, the gliders, hooks or clips too. In most profiles the gliders slide out through an end cap that simply pulls off.
Step 2
Find the cause of sticking
Before taking the profile off the ceiling, check whether the draw cords or chains are tangled, as that is sometimes the whole problem. Untangle them and test the curtains.
If the track sits on brackets and comes off easily, it is more comfortable to work on a table. Profiles screwed straight to the ceiling are cleaned in place.
Step 3
Clean inside the profile
Look into the channel: dust, fluff and insects collect there. Remove them with a vacuum and crevice tool and sweep out what remains with a thin brush.
In and near kitchens a greasy film often forms in the profile and slows the gliders. Spray WD-40 Smart Straw through the straw into the channel, or WD-40 Multi-Use onto a cloth, pull the cloth through a few times and wipe dry.
Step 4
Lubricate the profile with silicone
Once the profile is clean and dry, apply WD-40 Specialist Silicone inside it. It dries quickly, leaves no greasy marks and forms a dry slippery layer for the gliders to run on.
Treat the gliders, hooks or clips with the same product, along with the rollers of a corded system if fitted.
Step 5
Put everything back
Check that every glider runs freely, refit the end cap and rehang the curtains. To prevent sticking, spray a little silicone straight into the ceiling profile from time to time without removing it, just taking the curtains down temporarily.
Step 6
Look after tracks in damp places
In glazed balconies, verandas and summer houses, metal profiles and gliders rust. After the general clean and before the silicone, treat the metal with WD-40 Multi-Use, which holds back rust. Once it has dried, apply the silicone.
Tip: If the ceiling profile cannot be removed, run masking tape along the ceiling on both sides of the channel: the spray stays off paint or wallpaper and the tape peels away afterwards.
What next
Clean a ceiling track every six months, and more often in kitchens and on balconies. For ordinary wall-mounted rails, see our separate guide to lubricating them.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».