How to Clean Blinds in 2022 | Keeping our house clean is a tedious but essential task that we have to do regularly. It’s not limited just to dusting large furniture pieces and vacuuming rugs.
Even the most delicate items like your window blinds need cleaning every now and then. Their slats can be magnets for dust and stains. Regular cleaning not only keeps them dirt-free but also makes them last longer.
But worry not! Cleaning your blinds is not as hard as you may think. And it doesn’t necessarily involve taking them down from your window. As long as you know what type of blinds you have and the material it’s made of, you can easily follow these simple tips on how to clean them properly.
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General Cleaning Tools for Blinds
Regardless of what type of blinds you’ll clean, you need to have these basic tools to take on the task:
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Are microfiber cloths good for cleaning blinds?
Yes! Microfiber is a perfect material for wiping dust off your window blinds. If you don’t have this, you can also use any cloth or an old sock (as long as it’s clean!).
Can I clean my blinds with a soft brush attachment?
Aside from cloth, a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment and low-suction setting will work great on most window coverings to remove remaining dust and debris.
Warm water, dishwashing soap, and baking soda
These are useful if you need to deep clean vinyl or aluminum blinds. Just soak your dirty blinds in warm water with squirts of liquid dishwashing soap and a cup of baking soda for about an hour. After that, rinse with warm water and wipe off excess dirt.
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How to Clean Vertical Blinds
With their slats hanging down instead of side-to-side, vertical blinds don’t trap as much dust as horizontal blinds. Thus, they only need minimal cleaning and maintenance. Vertical blinds can be made of materials like PVC or fabrics, which are easy to clean using a damp cloth. If your blinds are in a stain-prone area, say kitchen, you’ll need to clean more regularly. For stains that a simple damp cloth can’t remove, you can treat them with a fabric stain remover.
The part that needs occasional deep cleaning is the headrail, which can easily collect dirt. To clean it, you should first detach the louvers. Wipe the headrail with a damp cloth. Also include the side rails and window recesses for a more thorough clean. Once done, you can fasten the louvers back in place.
How to Clean Venetian Blinds
Best practices for cleaning Venetian blinds vary depending on the material used. These window coverings can come in wood, faux wood, PVC, or aluminum.
Wood
Exposing wood to moisture can cause warping and discoloration. So never use water when cleaning your wooden Venetian blinds. Instead, wipe off the dust from the slats with a soft dry cloth or feather duster. If there are stubborn stains, you can use a wood-cleaning chemical. Just put a small amount on a soft cloth and gently rub it on the stain to remove it. Avoid also using harsh chemicals that can damage your blinds.
Faux Wood Blinds
Faux wood Venetian blinds have the beauty of natural wood without its issues with moisture. They are waterproof and durable. You can clean your faux wood blinds with a soft cloth dabbed in soap and water. To further prevent dust accumulation, you can wipe fabric softener sheets over the slats once cleaned.
PVC / Vinyl / Plastic Blinds
Venetian blinds made of plastic such as PVC or vinyl are more washable and damage-resistant. You can easily clean them with either a dry or wet cloth. If you’re going to vacuum the slats, use a soft dusting brush attachment. Run it gently over each slat to avoid scratching the surface. For hard-to-remove stains, you can wash them in a tub with soap and water.
Aluminum / Metal Blinds
Aluminum Venetian blinds can be cleaned the same way for PVC types. They are also long-lasting and can withstand prolonged sunlight exposure. Aluminum blinds are generally low-maintenance and only require light cleaning using a soft cloth, feather duster, or vacuum cleaner. For deep cleaning of grime, apply a soap-and-water mixture or window cleaning spray on the stained slats. Then gently wipe and dry them with a paper towel.
How to Clean Fabric Blinds
Fabric blinds, including roman, roller, cellular, and pleated, are quick and easy to clean. They don’t gather much dust like the other types since they don’t have horizontal slats. The best way to clean them is to use a vacuum cleaner. It should be in a low suction setting and has a soft dust brush attachment for gently removing dust and dirt.
How to Clean Roman blinds
Roman blinds are usually found in bedrooms and living rooms, which are only exposed to light usage. They just mostly need regular light vacuum cleaning to keep them dust-free. With the brush attachment, vacuum the fabric in a downward direction. Pay more attention to the blinds’ bottom and side edges since they’re the most prone to dust accumulation. To remove a stain from your roman blinds, gently rub that area with a damp cloth. If it doesn’t work, you may need a fabric stain remover specially made for Roman blind fabric.
How to Clean Roller blinds
Roller blinds are highly recommended for high usage areas like the kitchen, making it more prone to stubborn stains and molds. For light cleaning, fully roll down your blinds and vacuum the fabric surface with an upholstery brush attachment to gently remove dust. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe off stains. If this doesn’t work, you can use a fabric stain removal product.
Additional Blinds Cleaning Reminders
Clean your blinds at least once a week to reduce the amount of collected dust. It’s best to use a cloth or feather duster first to remove excess dust and dirt before resorting to a vacuum cleaner. This effectively eliminates dust from your home and prevents spreading it around. Also, don’t use water to clean dust. Putting water on a dusty surface makes it even dirtier. Avoid spraying sticky liquids like air freshener or hairspray near your blinds to avoid residue accumulation on them.
How to Clean Blinds | Final Thoughts
Just like furniture and appliances, blinds also need extra care. Cleaning regularly not only gives you a dust-free home but also longer-lasting window treatments. Let these tips be your guide in cleaning your blinds of any type. If you experience severe damages or stains on your blinds, seek advice from a window treatment specialist.
