Want to keep your sliding wardrobe doors in tip top condition? These maintenance tips will help you keep them working for longer.
Good quality sliding doors can last in perfect working condition for decades. If you purchase high quality sliding doors from a reputable seller, the only maintenance that should be necessary is an occasional clean and polish.
However, if you skimped out on your wardrobe, inherited it from someone else, or accidentally damaged it, your bedroom’s sliding doors may need a little extra help. Here are the top tips you need for maintaining and fixing sliding wardrobe doors.
Looking after your sliding doors
Keeping the tracks clean
One of the quickest and easiest ways to keep your sliding wardrobe doors in great condition is by simply keeping them clean. A build-up of debris or dust on the tracks can disrupt the super-smooth gliding back and forth of the doors; this is probably the most common cause of issues with sliding doors.
To keep your tracks clean and free of debris, use the nozzle attachment of your vacuum cleaner on the tracks. Some people also like to spray a little furniture polish on the tracks to keep the slide as smooth as possible. If there’s stubborn dust or dirt on the tracks an old toothbrush can be a great way to dislodge it.
You don’t need to clean the tracks very frequently – just incorporate it as part of your usual bedroom cleaning routine. The key point is to avoid visible build-ups of dust or dirt as these are often the culprits for sliding door issues.
Cleaning mirrored sliding doors
Streaks and grubby handprints don’t exactly do any favours for your bedroom’s luxury look. If your mirrored doors tend to get grubby quickly, the best thing to do is give them a wipe with your favourite glass or mirror cleaning product and a microfibre cloth. If those smudges won’t shift, try equal amounts of water and distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and use it on a cloth to clean the surface.
Solving sliding door issues
When the doors get stuck or are hard to move
If you’re finding your sliding doors hard to move and it’s not due to a build-up of clothes or accessories in the closet, the problem might be with the rollers. When the rollers (the part of the door that helps it slide effortlessly across the track) gets dirty this can make the doors harder to move.
To fix this issue, all you need to do is clean the rollers at the bottom of the door. If this doesn’t work, the rollers might have cracked or bent. Don’t worry – you don’t need to replace the whole door. All you need to do is buy some replacement rollers and refit them.
Another culprit might be the track itself. Sometimes the track can get damaged, especially if you move heavy items across it. When the track is bent slightly out of shape, it becomes harder for the doors to glide smoothly over it.
Depending on how bent the track is, this can be an easy fix. For minor damage all you need to do is place a wood block against the bent section and clamp it or stand on it to keep it in place. Then, hammer the metal against the wood to return it to its original shape.
If this doesn’t work, it might be time to replace the track entirely.
When the doors won’t close
If the sliding doors in your wardrobe are impossible to close, the problem may be that the wheels are out of alignment. Sometimes the screws that connect the track and wheels loosen over time or fall out altogether, causing misalignment to happen.
To resolve the issue of your wardrobe doors not closing, take a closer look at the wheels. If the screw is loose, tighten it to get the wheels back on track. You may also need to buy replacement screws if they have been lost.
When the doors are loose or fall off the tracks
If the doors are falling off the tracks or feel loose in your wardrobe, take a look at the top tracks to make sure that the door is still hooked in. If they have fallen out of the slot, you may need help lifting the doors to realign the rollers and the track. Be careful – sliding wardrobe doors can be heavy, so it’s important to get assistance for this.
Time to replace your sliding doors?
If you’re looking for new wardrobe sliding doors that will stand the test of time and transform your bedroom, look no further than Cworkshop. The London-based brand specialises in bespoke sliding doors to perfectly match your interiors with a wide range of colours and finishes available. Head to their website today to find your perfect new wardrobe doors.