Curtains that jerk and stop halfway are an everyday irritation. The cause is almost always the rail: small gliders with hooks or clips run inside it, and dust, fluff, greasy film and insects gradually slow them down.
Rails come in single, double and triple versions, in metal or plastic, hand-drawn or corded. Designs vary, but the routine is the same: take down, inspect, clean, lubricate and refit.
What you will need
Important: Work from a stable stepladder and take the curtains down before spraying anything so the fabric is not marked. Test products on a hidden area of plastic or painted rails first.
Step 1
Take down the curtains and hooks
Detach the curtain from the gliders by removing the rings, plastic clips or hooks, or opening the clips that grip the top of the fabric. Put the curtains aside so they do not get dirty while you work.
Step 2
Work out what the problem is
Before removing the rail, check whether the draw cord or chain has simply become tangled. Sometimes untangling it is all it takes.
If not, and the rail sits on brackets, take it down and lay it on a table. It is far easier to clean and lubricate there than on a ladder with your arms raised.
Step 3
Clean inside the rail
Look into the channel of the rail: fluff, dust, greasy film and even insects collect there. Remove them with a vacuum and crevice tool.
In kitchens a sticky layer from steam and cooking grease often forms inside the rail. Spray WD-40 Smart Straw through the thin straw, or WD-40 Multi-Use, into the channel, wait a minute and pull a cloth through. The film dissolves and comes away on the cloth.
Step 4
Lubricate the rail and gliders
Once the rail is clean and dry, spray WD-40 Specialist Silicone into the channel. It dries quickly, leaves no greasy marks and forms a dry slippery layer, so the gliders move freely and any that were sticking are released.
It is compatible with metal, plastic, rubber and wood, so you can also treat the gliders themselves, rollers, hooks and the pulleys of a corded system.
Step 5
Refit and test
Run the gliders by hand or with the cord to make sure they all move freely. Put the rail back on its brackets and rehang the curtains.
To prevent sticking, spray a little silicone straight into the wall-mounted rail every few months without removing it, but still take the curtains down temporarily.
Step 6
Protect rails in damp rooms
On balconies, conservatories or in bathrooms, rust is the main threat to a metal rail and gliders. After cleaning and before the silicone, treat the metal parts with WD-40 Multi-Use: it displaces moisture and protects against corrosion. Let it dry, then apply the silicone.
Tip: Avoid heavy greases on curtain rails: they trap dust and fluff, and within weeks the channel clogs again. A dry silicone layer lasts longer and stays clean.
What next
Service curtain rails every six months, and more often in kitchens and on balconies. The same products help with drawer runners and sliding wardrobe doors.
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».