Cleaning Blinds: Your Complete How-To Guide

When it comes to reducing heat and sunlight, blinds do a fantastic job. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to collect dust on their slats over time, if not cleaned every so often. This results in dust and allergens spreading every time they’re pulled up or down.

Thankfully, cleaning blinds is a lot easier than one would think. You don’t have to take these window treatments down and you don’t have to clean each slat individually.

Here, for you, we’ve listed the best and most efficient ways to easily clean any type of blinds using everyday household tools and products. Regular cleaning increases the lifespan of your blinds and if you remember to follow these instructions, you’ll eventually spend less time cleaning them. Here’s a guide to keeping them shiny and looking new.

Materials

No need for harsh chemicals and hard to use tools. It doesn’t matter what your blinds are made of, the amount of dirt on your blinds will determine what you use to clean them. For the most past, these are the basic materials needed to get started.

• Microfiber cloth
• Dish washing liquid
• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Vacuum Cleaner
• Hair Dryer
• Furniture Polish/Wood Cleaner (Optional)

Note: Always read the instruction manual that comes with your blinds or any window treatments before submerging them in water or using any household chemicals on them to avoid damaging them and voiding the warranty

Light Cleaning

Cleaning blinds on a weekly basis can prevent the build up of dust. This light and gentle cleaning method is so quick and simple.

Step 1: Position Slats Face Down

As we established earlier, we don’t have to clean each slat one by one. Face the slats so that the concave side is facing you and if they overlap, don’t rotate them all the way down.

Step 2: Remove Dust

Using a microfiber cloth or a duster, gentle remove the dust from the slats in a horizontal fashion from left to right, working your way from the top of the blinds to the bottom. This will ensure the dust from the top slats won’t settle on the lower slats.

Now position them so that the convex side is facing you and repeat step two.

Step 3: Vacuum

Now you’re able to open the slats and vacuum the remaining dust particles on the blind, window sill and floor.

Deep Cleaning

More of a biannual cleaning routine or if your blinds are heavily soiled, this method is necessary if you haven’t cleaned your blinds in a while.

Step 1: Perform Light Clean

It’s not suggested you use water or chemicals directly on your blinds so before the we dip into a deep clean, we need to follow the aforementioned method. Dust lightly and vacuum .

Step 2: Deep Clean

Position the slats so that the concave sides are all facing you. Make a solution that’s exactly half warm water, half vinegar. Using a sponge that’s been dampened in the solution, gently wipe the slats horizontally, from the top to the bottom.

If your slats are really grimy, you can add a couple of drops of mild dishwashing liquid to the solution.

Once completed, rotate the slats and repeat.

Step 3: Spot Cleaning

Some tough stains need something a little stronger than soap and vinegar. Mix some baking soda with vinegar and leave it on the hard to clean stains for a couple of minutes and then wipe them clean. Avoid rubbing the mixture in and always be gentle when wiping the slats so as not to bend them out of shape. Once the stains have been removed, use a fish water dampened sponge to wipe away excess.

Step 4: Drying

Dry the slats as soon as you’re done to ensure zero rusting and water damage. Use a clean, dry towel or even a hairdryer on cool setting. Remember to dry the hard to reach areas. Humidity can really ruin your blinds

How to Clean Faux Wood and Vinyl Blinds

Faux wood and plastic are popular materials because of their affordability and maintenance. Use water and detergent, then wipe them down with a dry towel. Tough dirt can be gentle rubbed off with little worry about discoloration or corrosion. These blinds handle water well so you can even hang them out to dry.

How to Clean Wood Blinds

Natural wood wins in terms of sophistication and style but they require more care and maintenance. Avoid using excessive water as that could weaken and discolor the wood. A damp cloth should suffice, in addition to a a water and vinegar solution with a tiny bit of soap. For tough stains and dirt, use a wooden cleaner as opposed to any chemicals. Once complete, polish the slats with a wooden polish of your choice to preserve and seal that shine.

How to Clean Fabric Blinds

Best cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a hairdryer to blow away dust, fabric blinds such as Roman blinds take time to dry so if they are stained, use a damp cloth and dab lightly but avoid rubbing and if they’re extremely dirty, have them dry cleaned but these blinds are to be handled with care.

How to Clean Metal Blinds

As easy to clean as faux wood and plastic blinds, Metal blinds are usually dust resistant so wiping them with a rag to keep them shining and looking new is a great idea. A gentle clean with soap and water won’t damage them but make sure to dry them as soon as you’re done to avoid rust from forming.

How to Clean Mini Blinds

Mini blinds aren’t different form regular blinds. The slats are smaller meaning there are more of them to clean. They attract more dust and the small surface area makes cleaning feel like a chore. You can clean these the same as regular blinds depending on the material.

How to Clean Venetian Blinds

Unlike mini blinds, Venetian blinds are wider than usual. Although they hold a lot of dust, the broadness of the slats make cleaning easier. Usually made of faux wood, you can follow the deep cleaning steps mentioned above. Soap and water should suffice when tackling hard to clean stains.

How to Clean Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds collect dust compared to regular horizontal blinds and if cleaned regularly, you may never need to deep clean them. Run a microfiber cloth or duster along the length of the slats, followed by a vacuum using the brush attachment. It’s recommended you start from the bottom and move up as the slats may detach. Usually made of materials that are easy to maintain, depending on what they’re made of, some can be machine washed but always check with the manufacturer or manual.

Quick Tips and Tricks

Here are a few added tips to make things even simpler. These tips will save you time and will also ensure your blinds don’t get damaged in the process.

1. If you don’t own a microfiber cloth or duster, a sock will also work. Avoid feather and plastic dusters as they tend do attract more dust.
2. Its best to let dry cleaners handle you fabric blinds if they’re extremely dirty. You might cause them to wrinkle and piling may occur.
3. Use a good quality degreaser on your kitchen blinds to remove stubborn dirt and grease.
4. To avoid your blinds from unhooking, vacuum or wipe horizontal blinds across the slat as opposed to up or down. Vertical blind should be wiped or vacuumed from top to bottom.
5. Do not put anything directly onto the slats, always use a sponge, then transfer to the slat.
6. Always use a dry cloth or duster to thoroughly get rid of dust before incorporating any liquid, otherwise dust will get trapped and there will be some build up.
7. Always be gentle, slats dent easily, some can break and they’re hard to replace individually. Its a nightmare you want to avoid having.
8. If any chemical or solution is used on your blinds, remember to wipe them down with water afterwards to remove residue and prevent watermarks and discoloration.
9. Spraying fabric softener on the slats can act as a repellent for dust and dander.
10. Wear rubber gloves if you have sensitive skin

How to Brighten Old Blinds

You deserve bright and beautiful blinds, especially after spending all that time cleaning them. Unfortunately, the truth is, grime, mold and even sunlight all have he ability to leave your blinds looking a little dull and yellow. Lucky for you, all is not lost, there’s still hope. You can re-whiten and brighten your blinds at home and it’s really simple.

Plastic and Aluminum blinds

Soaking your blinds in diluted bleach, approximately 2-3 cups of bleach in a full bathtub, will restore their color and bring back the shine. If you don’t want to soak them in the tub, you can spray them with the bleach solution and then wash them thoroughly with clean water.

Discolored Wooden Blinds

Bleach won’t work on these blinds, they’ll get damaged, so use a wood cleaner instead for spots of discoloration. A wood polish is also good to even out the color and improve the look, bringing back that stunning shine. If they’re dull and discolored beyond saving, you can always repaint them.

When to Replace Blinds

Sometimes we just know that no matter how much cleaning and restoring we do, theirs nothing that can be done to save our blinds. When do you know it’s time to throw in the towel and buy new ones? Take these signs into consideration before you spend all that time battling dust and grime. It might be time to replace your blinds if:

• Slats are broken or bent
• Slats won’t close properly
• Blinds are hard to pull up or down
• Cords are broken or frayed
• Pilled and frayed fabric blinds
• The design is outdated
• You’ve got kids or pets, and corded blinds aren’t safe anymore
• You’ve changed your windows, and the old blinds don’t fit anymore

So there we have it, that is pretty much everything you need to know about cleaning your blinds. With consistent care and the right kind of maintenance, your blinds could last you many years.