Cleaning your blinds doesn’t have to be a complicated and expensive task. It can be done easily, using products you already have at home.
Can I Clean My Blinds Without Taking Them Down?
This is a common question asked by homeowner with blinds. Fortunately, you don’t need to take your blinds down every time you want to clean them. However, if you do want to give them quite a deep clean after a few years, then you might need to take them down. Here’s a look at the most hassle-free ways to clean window blinds.
What Cleaning Products Do I Need?
One of the biggest drawcards for investing in blinds is the fact that they are incredibly low maintenance. You don’t have to clean them very often, and when you do clean them, you will find the necessary cleaning utensils in your home. These include:
- Vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment
- Microfibre cloths
- Dishwashing liquid
- Warm water
- Baking soda
3 Ways to Clean Your Blinds
Depending on how dirty your blinds are, where they are located, or how long you have had them, here are three suggestions for cleaning.
1. For Regular Cleaning
If you’re just looking to do a bit of weekly blinds’ cleaning, then here are the basic steps to follow.
Step 1: Close the blinds
Whatever type of blinds you have, the first thing is to lower them down. For homes with either wood or faux-wood blinds, you can completely shut the blinds, but for overlapping vinyl or aluminium blinds, it’s best to tilt them downwards without shutting them completely.
Step 2: Clean the blinds
- How to clean horizontal blinds
Hold the side of the blinds to stabilise them and then, using either a microfibre cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, clean from one side to the next. It’s best to work from the top slats down so dust doesn’t settle.
- How to clean vertical blinds
Stabilise the blinds by holding the bottom slat and wipe in a downward motion so that the slats don’t become unhooked. Remember to use a low-suction setting if you’re using a vacuum.
- How to clean shutters and shades
For fabric shades, such as Roman or honeycomb, you should lower the shades and use a soft brush attachment and low-suction setting on the vacuum cleaner, cleaning from top to bottom. You’ll then need to manoeuvre yourself behind the fabric shade and vacuum the other side.
Step 3: Flip the blinds and repeat
Once this is done, adjust the slats so that the other side of the blind is facing you and then repeat the cleaning process exactly. If you’re cleaning particularly long blinds, it’s often easier to work from the mid-point of a slat to the end, and then again in the opposite direction.
2. For Very Dirty Blinds
If you haven’t cleaned your blinds in a while, then you might need to perform a bit more of a thorough cleaning process, but even this is simple. Dampen your microfibre cloth in warm water and squeeze out the excess water. Run the cloth over the blinds, making sure not to get wooden blinds too wet. Open the blinds, as well as the windows, to let them air dry.
Stubborn stains: To clean stains off blinds, mix dishwashing liquid in a bowl of warm water and add a teaspoon of baking soda if it’s a bad stain. Wet the microfibre cloth in the solution, wring it out, and dab the stain with the cloth multiple times. Then wet the cloth with clear water and repeat. Thereafter, you can open the blinds and windows for air drying.
3. For a Deep Clean
For vinyl or aluminium blinds that are located in a kitchen or storage space, coatings of grease and stubborn dust might require you to take the blind down for a deep clean. This simply means adding some dishwashing liquid and a cup of baking soda to a warm bath, and letting the blinds soak for about an hour. Thereafter, rinse them off and wipe off excess dirt.
Sun stains: If your blinds are starting to go yellow from the sun, place three cups of bleach in a tub of cold water and let them soak for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse and dry them before hanging them up again.
Tips to Keep Your Blinds in Good Condition
Blinds are a highly-valued window solution because they’re low maintenance, durable and incredibly versatile. To get the most out of this practical décor item, it’s important to follow these tips.
1. Clean Your Blinds Regularly
If you can do a weekly clean, that’s great, otherwise cleaning your blinds once a month is perfect. This way you can enjoy your blinds for decades.
2. Use Soft Material
If you don’t have a microfibre cloth, you can just stick your hand in an old sock and clean with that.
3. Installed Correctly
Make sure your blinds are installed by someone who knows what they’re doing so that they are properly fitted.
How to Clean Outside Blinds?
Exterior blinds are more exposed to the elements and sometimes require a bit more cleaning than interior window blinds. However, patio blinds are available in modern fabrics are extremely durable and easy to clean.
What to Do
- Use a light, chemical-free cleaning agent that will not damage the fabric of the blinds.
- Press lightly on the fabric with a microfibre cloth or sponge so as not to strain the fabric.
- Clean any stains immediately to prevent discolouration.
- Clean stubborn stains by soaking them with a sponge first and then wiping with a microfibre cloth.
- Get professionals in to perform high-pressure cleaning if needed.
What To Avoid
- Don’t use steam cleaners or rotary brushes as they’ll damage the fabric.
- Don’t use alcohol or chemicals when cleaning the fabric.
- Don’t roll up blinds when they’re wet as this might cause mould.
There are so many incredible blind ranges on the market, available in a variety of styles, design, material and colours, which are suited to any indoor or outdoor setting. If you are looking for a well-designed, low-maintenance window solution, blinds are your best option!