Sliding wardrobe doors that judder, drawers you have to yank and hinges that creak every morning almost always share one cause: dust, fabric fluff and dried-out lubricant on the rails and rollers. In a walk-in wardrobe dust builds up especially fast because clothes constantly shed fibres.
A full service takes about 30 minutes. The golden rule is to remove the dirt first and only then apply a lubricant, and one that does not collect dust.
What you will need
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for rails and rollers
- WD-40 Multi-Use for metal hinges
- vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool
- anti-static duster
- microfibre cloths
- cross-head screwdriver or hex key for hinge adjustment
Important: Keep lubricant off wood, chipboard and fabric: spray precisely with a cloth held behind the part and always wipe off any excess so it cannot mark your clothes.
Step 1
Remove dust from the rails
Dust is the number one enemy of wardrobe mechanisms. Vacuum the top and bottom tracks of the sliding doors and the sides of the drawers. Avoid a damp cloth here: it only smears the dust and turns it into a sticky paste inside the profile.
Use an anti-static duster for corners and rollers, as it holds the dust instead of moving it around. Once a year it is worth taking everything out and wiping the whole structure with a cleaning product. Check the walls for mould and condensation at the same time, especially in poorly ventilated flats.
Step 2
Inspect the rollers and profiles
Slide the doors fully to each side and look at the rollers: hair and threads often wrap around them. Pull them off with tweezers. Make sure the track has no dents or foreign objects blocking the movement.
Step 3
Lubricate drawer runners and sliding tracks
Drawer runners usually consist of a pair of profiles with rollers or ball bearings. Apply a thin coat of WD-40 Specialist Silicone to the working surfaces of the profile and the rollers. Silicone suits both metal and plastic, dries quickly and does not attract dust the way a heavy grease does.
Open and close the drawer fully several times and run the sliding doors from end to end so the lubricant spreads. Wipe off any excess straight away.
Step 4
Adjust and lubricate the door hinges
Over time doors sag and catch neighbouring fronts. Tighten the adjustment screws on the hinges to even out the gaps. Then apply a little WD-40 Multi-Use to the hinge pivot: it stops squeaks, displaces moisture and protects the metal against rust.
Treat lift-up door mechanisms and pull-out telescopic clothes rails in the same way.
Step 5
Check the result
Open and close every door and drawer. The movement should be smooth and quiet. If a squeak remains, repeat the targeted application and wipe off the excess again before putting your things back on the shelves.
Tip: Spray through the can's straw straight into the profile and hold a sheet of paper underneath. That way not a single drop lands on shelves or clothes.
What next
Vacuum the rails monthly and lubricate them every six months or as soon as a squeak appears. For other household mechanisms such as door hinges and locks, keep a can of WD-40 Smart Straw with its two-position straw close at hand.
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».