Often, building engineers spend an unavoidable amount of time keeping up with the maintenance of bifold closet doors. After meeting with many of them, there seems to be an endless number of orders, sometimes with time constraints to stay on par with the building’s promise of a speedy fix to orders put in. This list is a smart way to avoid the orders, but to think of the typical hollow core bifold closet door as something that needs some ongoing work between tenants in an apartment.

Clean the Tracks. Clear the top and bottom tracks regularly to remove all dust and debris. Use a damp cloth to wipe them clean so nothing is in the way when the track is operating.
Lubricate Moving Parts. Apply a silicone-based lubricant to rollers, hinges, and pivot points every 6 months. Avoid WD-40 as this will actually attract more dust.
Tighten Hardware. Periodically check and tighten screws on hinges, knobs, and track mounts to prevent the doors from sagging or becoming misaligned.
Check Alignment. Ensure panels are aligned and do not rub against the frame of the closet door or the floor. Adjust the top pivot screws if necessary to align the doors. Failure to keep the doors in alignment puts the floor and wall at risk of being permanently damaged.
Clean Panels. Use mild soap and water the clean the door panels, avoid all harsh cleaners, especially on real wood or mirrored bifold doors.
Check the rolling pin in the track. Ensure that the roller pin mechanism inside of the track is staying working, replace when it breaks.
Measure that the track is still in alignment. Often, the track of a hollow core bifold closet door will get dented or warped. With a level, make sure the track is still level. Replace when it becomes warped.