How To Clean Blinds Easily: The Ultimate Guide
Window blinds are both stylish and functional. They can be used in any home or office. They let you control the amount of light that comes in and give you privacy. Their thermal properties can also help you save money on your heating and cooling bills. Best of all, they are easy to clean and usually don’t need much care.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to clean blinds in a way that will keep them looking great for years to come. From Venetian blinds to vertical blinds and everything in between, you’ll find instructions on how to clean your window coverings with just a few tools.
What's inside
How To Clean Vertical Blinds
Since the slats of vertical blinds go up and down instead of side to side, they gather less dust than horizontal blinds. Dust accumulates more on the floor and other flat surfaces than on the blind slats themselves.
So, to keep the blinds looking their best, you only need to dust them every few weeks. You should also give the blinds a deep clean, including the headrail, when dirt and grime show or as part of your spring cleaning routine.
Before we discuss cleaning vertical blinds, let’s check that we have everything we need. A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, a soft cloth (microfiber works well), a feather duster, or a little blind duster is all you need for a speedy cleanup.
Light dust may be removed from the slats by beginning at the top and working down.
For deeper cleaning, you’ll need a microfiber cloth, warm or cold water, mild detergent, and a bathtub or another large tub.
Take the vertical slats off the headrail and put them in a tub with warm water and mild soap. Don’t use hot water on the blinds because it can warp them.
Rinse the blinds with water until they’re clean.
Wring out any extra water from the blinds and let them dry completely before putting them back up. You can use a hair dryer or lay them out in the sun or another warm place.
Before putting the slats back together, run a damp microfiber cloth along the headrail and other corded parts. Don’t forget to wipe down the window recess and the windowsill for a deep clean.
How To Clean Cloth Blinds
Fabric blinds like roller blinds, roman blinds, and Day & Night blinds are popular in areas with a lot of foot traffic because they are easy to clean and don’t get dirty quickly. These blinds don’t collect as much dust as other horizontal blinds because they don’t have horizontal slats.
Some fabric blinds can be taken apart from the headrail and the parts that make them work so they can be washed. Some blinds need to be cleaned by hand or sent to a dry cleaner, so before you start cleaning your blinds, check the care instructions.
Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush attachment on a low setting to remove dust from roman blinds and roller blinds.
Move the vacuum toward the weave to keep the fabric from getting messed up. You can use a stain remover to get rid of stains and built-up dirt, but make sure the product is safe for the fabric of your blinds.
White vinegar, baking soda, and other natural cleaning products are also good ways to get a deeper clean.
Before using a lot of the product, it’s a good idea to try it out in a small area.
Use a damp microfiber cloth instead of a vacuum to clean layered fabric blinds like Day & Night blinds.
The vacuum could pull and stretch the layered fabrics in different ways, which could damage the blind. Follow the fabric’s weave with a wet cloth to clean it quickly.
How To Clean Wooden Blinds
Blinds that look like wood can be made from natural or fake wood. They are made of metals like aluminum and are also called Venetian blinds. They come in different colors and stains, like white and black.
They are popular in modern homes and spaces that need natural warmth. Even though these blinds are easy to clean, they need extra care to stay in good shape.
Real wood blinds
When real wood blind slats get wet, they may warp. The small holes in the wood slats let water in, which causes them to swell and bend. Because of this, these blinds work best in bedrooms, living rooms, and other dry rooms, not bathrooms or kitchens.
Here are some suggestions for cleaning wood blinds. Water could hurt the wood, so don’t use it.
Instead, gently wipe the dust off the slats with a dry microfiber cloth or a feather duster.
Make sure to clean the top and bottom of the slats to get the job done.
Use a damp cloth if the dry duster can’t remove the dirt. Make sure the fabric doesn’t leave any moisture on the blind.
If it does, immediately dry it with a towel or dry cloth.
Real wood blinds usually have exposed basswood at the ends, so pay extra attention to these parts. Since they aren’t stained or sealed, they are more likely to soak up water. Don’t scrub the slats too hard because scrubbing can take away paint and stain from wood.
Faux wood blinds and aluminum Venetian blinds
Faux wood blinds and aluminum Venetian blinds are easier to clean because they are waterproof and won’t warp. Just take a damp cloth and wipe the top and bottom of the slats on the faux wood or aluminum blinds. We suggest going from the top to the bottom, so you don’t miss anything. Check out our complete guide on how to clean Venetian blinds for more tips on how to clean light and deep dirt from different types of Venetian blinds.
How To Clean Cleaning Venetian Blinds
Depending on what kind of material your blinds are made of, the right way to clean them will be different. You can use warm water and wet cloths to clean heavy dirt and grime off aluminum, PVC, synthetic, and other waterproof Venetian blinds.
But water can damage real wooden blinds and cause the slats to bend and warp. When cleaning these blinds, it’s best to use less water as possible, or a cleaner made just for Venetian wood blinds.
Light Cleaning Every So Often
This type of blind is more likely to get dust and dirt on its horizontal slats than vertical blinds. Every week or so, you should dust or vacuum your Venetian blinds. Depending on where you live, you may need to brush more or less often.
If you live on a busy city street and keep your windows open, you may have to clean your Venetian blinds more often.
In general, it’s a good idea to lightly clean your blinds whenever you see dust building up, usually once a month or when you’re doing other dusting around the house.
Use a feather duster, a dry rag, or an old sock. Move from the top to the bottom, cleaning each slat. Make sure you clean the whole slat, especially if you have wider slats like the 50mm slat width.
You should also wipe down both sides of the slat to ensure its cleanliness. The ideal method is to fold the cleaning cloth in half and grip the slats from both ends.
Move the fabric across the slats to clean the blinds on both sides. You could also shut the blinds and clean that side of the slats. Turn the blind slats around 180 degrees when you’re done, and clean the other side.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner to pick up dust, but a duster or piece of cloth can easily get into tight spots like the headrail or corded system.
When you use a vacuum, be careful around the cords and wands, so you don’t damage them. Set the speed of the vacuum’s suction to low, and always use an upholstery attachment or brush. Without the brush attachment, you might scratch the surface of the blind slats. Use the above methods to make sure that you clean both sides of each slat.
How to Clean Window Blinds the Right Way
Set up your blinds so they lie flat and the widest part faces you. You will want to make a smooth, flat surface and easy to vacuum.
Clean the Blinds with a vacuum
Grab a lightweight or handheld vacuum and slowly move across each blind in horizontal strokes. To do this quickly and well, you’ll need a vacuum that is light and easy to lift over your head. Investing in a vacuum with a HEPA filter is also a smart move.
For the best results, close all the slats in one direction to vacuum more of the blinds’ surface. You should also open and close the slats in the opposite direction and clean the surface.
Clean Up with cloth
After cleaning your blinds well with a vacuum, move them, so they’re next to each other (with the narrow edge of the blind facing you). Look for things like finger marks and a buildup of dirt that might need extra care. Then, get a damp microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge, lather it with soapy water, and start wiping.
Clean roller blinds
Take your blinds off their mount. If you look at the ends of your roller blind, you’ll see that small metal brackets hold it to the wall.
One of these brackets should have a cover that can be opened, making it easy to lift the blind and take it down. If you are having trouble, call your supplier to find out what to do.
Loosen the blind a little. You want the fabric to be a little loose so water can get to all surfaces.
Put the blind in a tub full of warm, soapy water and let it soak for a while. Instead of soap or dishwashing liquid, use a mild laundry detergent to clean your blind’s fabric.
After an hour, look for stains on your blinds. Check both sides and use a cloth or sponge to clean any needed spots.
Wipe down the blinds. Drain the tub, rinse the blinds in clean water, or use the spray head on your shower to ensure no soap in or on the material.
Let it dry all the way. Open your blinds and drape them over a rack to dry. If the weather is good, you can speed up the process by putting the frame outside for an hour or two. Once the blind is dry, put it back on the brackets.
Clean mini blinds
Pull down the blinds. Using the brush attachment on your vacuum or a Dustbuster, gently vacuum one side of your blinds.
Open your blinds so that the side facing you is on the outside. Clean the other side now.
