A curtain track, metal or plastic, has small gliders inside with hooks or clips, often worked by a cord or chain. Tracks can be single, double or triple and fixed to the wall or the ceiling. Over time the channel collects dust, fluff, cobwebs and insects, and in a kitchen a greasy film too, so the curtains start to move in jerks.
The good news is that you rarely need to replace anything to get a smooth glide back. Cleaning the channel and lubricating it correctly is usually enough.
What you will need
- Stepladder
- Vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool
- Clean cloths, microfibre wipes
- WD-40 Multi-Use for cleaning and protecting metal
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for the gliders
- Paper or sheeting to cover the windowsill
Important: Always take the curtains down and move them well away before lubricating: silicone or any aerosol can mark fabric. Use a stable stepladder and ventilate the room.
Step 1
Remove the curtains and hooks
Detach the curtains from the gliders: unhook them from the rings or open the clips along the top of the fabric. Remove separate plastic hooks as well. Take the curtains into another room straight away or put them in the wash.
Step 2
Check what is wrong
If the track sits on brackets, it is easier to take it down and work on a table. First check whether the cord or chain is tangled, as that is often what blocks movement. Untangle it and test the mechanism.
Step 3
Clean inside the track
Vacuum the inside of the channel with a crevice tool to remove dust, fluff and insects. Kitchen tracks often carry a sticky greasy film that stops the gliders sliding.
In that case spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use into the channel, wait a minute for the film to soften and wipe it out thoroughly, drawing a cloth along the whole length. No product should be left behind.
Step 4
Lubricate the track
Once the channel is clean and dry, apply WD-40 Specialist Silicone in short bursts along its full length. It dries quickly to a dry slippery film, does not attract dust and is safe on metal, plastic, rubber and wood. Run the gliders back and forth to spread it.
Step 5
Refit the track and curtains
Make sure all gliders move freely when you pull the cord, then put the track back up and rehang the curtains. If the gliders start catching again later, take the curtains down and give the track another quick burst of silicone.
Step 6
Protect tracks in damp places
On a balcony, terrace, in a bathroom or an unheated room, the metal parts of the track and gliders can rust. After cleaning and before applying silicone, treat the metal with WD-40 Multi-Use: it displaces moisture and prevents oxidation. Wipe off any excess.
Tip: The easiest time to service the track is when you wash the curtains seasonally: they are already down, so cleaning and lubricating take only 10-15 minutes.
What next
For living rooms once or twice a year is enough; kitchens and balconies need it more often. Silicone also helps with sliding wardrobe doors, and WD-40 Smart Straw with its thin straw is handy for squeaky hinges and blind mechanisms.
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».