If paint doesn’t seem to be the problem, you’ll want to work on the window channels (sash groove). Spray them down with graphite lubricant. I specify graphite because it’s known as a “dry” spray—it’s greaseless and won’t pick up dust or grit, which would exacerbate the sticking.

Widening Window Channels

TOOLS
• Block of wood (twice the length of your hand)
• Hammer

If swelling seems to be the problem, you can try to widen the channels. Place the block of wood in the channel lengthwise and tap it with the hammer. Continue this process the length of each channel.

The foregoing is excerpted from Chix Can Fix by Norma Vally. All rights reserved. Copyright © Norma Vally, 2006.