Make Sticky Windows Slide Easier With Wax

Windows that need two hands and a prayer to open usually aren't warped — the tracks are full of dirt and the surfaces are dry. Clean and lubricate before you assume the worst.

How to do it

1. Vacuum the tracks and the sill channel, then scrub out the packed grime with an old toothbrush.
2. For wood windows, rub a white candle hard along the sash edges and channels. Wax is dry, so it won't attract more dirt.
3. For vinyl or aluminum, use a silicone spray on a rag — never oil-based sprays, which gum up.
4. Work the window up and down a dozen times to spread it.

Do this once a year and windows stay one-hand easy. In hurricane country there's a bonus: a window you can actually open and close is easier to shutter and secure.