Open a sliding door in Tempe after monsoon season and you can hear it: grit grinding in the track. Window tracks and screens catch dust, bugs and storm debris all year, and most Valley homes never get them cleaned. Here is why they matter, how to clean them yourself, and when it makes sense to add them to a window cleaning.
Where all that dust comes from
Monsoon season runs from mid June to mid September, and haboobs push fine dust into every gap around a house (AP). Tracks sit at the bottom of the window, so that is where it settles. Add dead bugs, leaves, pet hair and the occasional gecko, and by fall most tracks look like a sandbox.
Screens catch the rest. A screen is a fine mesh sitting just outside your glass, so it traps dust before it ever reaches the window.
Why dirty tracks and screens matter
- Sticky sliders. Grit in a slider track grinds against the rollers. Doors get harder to open, and worn rollers cost more to fix than a cleaning does.
- A dull view. Clean glass behind a dusty screen still looks gray. It is a common reason people think their windows “never look clean.”
- Dust blowing inside. Open a window on a breezy day and the dust in the track and screen comes in with the air.
- Clogged weep holes. Most window and slider tracks have small drain holes. When they clog, water from rain or sprinklers sits in the track instead of draining out.
How to clean tracks yourself
Set aside an hour or two for a typical home, and start on a cool morning.
- Vacuum first. Use a crevice tool to pull out loose dirt. Wiping first just turns dust into mud.
- Loosen the packed dirt. An old toothbrush or a small paintbrush gets into the corners. Vacuum again.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and a little mild dish soap. Wrap the cloth around a butter knife to reach the deep channel.
- Clear the weep holes with a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab.
- Dry completely. Moisture plus dust makes new grime fast.
If a slider still sticks, a silicone spray made for sliding doors can help. Skip oil, which grabs dust.
How to clean screens yourself
- Label each screen with painter’s tape as you remove it so it goes back in the right window.
- Lay it flat on a towel or the lawn.
- Brush gently with a soft brush and a bucket of water with a squirt of dish soap.
- Rinse with a gentle hose spray. A pressure washer can stretch or tear the mesh.
- Let it dry fully in the shade before you put it back.
Look for tears while the screen is out. Small holes let bugs in and are easier to patch now than later.
What to skip
- Pressure washers on screens or tracks. They can push water past seals and damage mesh.
- Wire brushes on aluminum or vinyl tracks. They scratch, and scratched tracks hold dirt.
- Harsh degreasers near window frames or tint film.
When to add tracks and screens to a cleaning
Doing it yourself is fine if you have the time and a handful of windows. If you have a full house, a second story, or screens you cannot reach safely, it is easier to add them when your glass is cleaned.
| Item | ClearCo price |
|---|---|
| Inside and outside glass | $9 per window |
| Screens | $3 each |
| Tracks | $3 each |
| Visit minimum | $150 |
Example: single-story home, 18 windows, inside and out, plus every screen and track:
18 x $9 = $162, plus 18 screens ($54), plus 18 tracks ($54) = $270
A good rhythm for most East Valley homes is tracks and screens at least once a year after monsoon, with glass cleaned on whatever schedule fits your home.
Tracks and screens FAQs
How often should I clean window tracks in Arizona?
At least once a year, ideally in fall after monsoon dust settles, and more often for sliders you use every day.
Why is my sliding door hard to open?
Often it is grit in the track grinding against the rollers, so vacuum and wipe the track before assuming the rollers need replacing.
Can I pressure wash my window screens?
No. A pressure washer can stretch or tear the mesh, so use a soft brush, mild soap and a gentle hose rinse.
How much does it cost to add screens and tracks to a window cleaning?
At ClearCo, screens and tracks are $3 each, added to regular window rates.
Get tracks, screens and glass done in one visit
ClearCo has cleaned Valley windows since 2003 with trained employee technicians, never subcontractors. See our window cleaning service, add screens and tracks when you get your price online, or call 480-890-8500. We serve Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and the rest of the East Valley.
