How To Clean Blinds

How To Clean Blinds

It is common to forget to clean your blinds. As such, you may only remember when you open or close the window blinds, and a massive pile of dirt is seen. Cleaning blinds is a tedious and time-consuming job.

This article will cover how to clean blinds and highlight tips and tricks to make blind cleaning a lot easier.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are easy to clean since most of them are made of fabric. Roller blinds require a vacuum cleaner or soap and water. You need first to determine the type of material used and detergents. The detergents should be suitable for the fabric, especially if you want to remove tough stains. If you use the incorrect products, you might damage the blinds.

It is very tempting to wash the blinds using a washing machine. But a lot of manufacturers do not recommend this. When a washing machine is used, the blinds might get creases, folds, or piling if they are not washed well. You can choose to do a light cleaning or a deep cleaning to remove tough stains.

Plantation Shutters

Plantain shutters (or blinds) have wide louvres. These wide louvres contribute to the stylish features of the shutters. They are made of vinyl, composite, or wood. Plantain shutters that are made from wood, you will want to steer clear of using water or soap when cleaning. Water and soap can remove the shine from wood.

Use furnish polish so that it retains the shine like when you first bought it. Use a microfiber cloth to clean. If you have a vacuum cleaner, it is also ideal for this type of blind. If your shutters have hard-to-reach corners, use a toothbrush to reach there.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are similar to vertical blinds in the way they need to be cleaned and maintained. If you use a mesh screen for your blinds, you must carefully clean them with soapy water, a soft brush, and a dustpan. Make sure to wipe each line that the mesh is connected with.

Cleaning Venetian Blinds

• Wipe each line of the mesh. Do this by gently brushing against it with your fingers, working your way from the bottom up. Clean the mesh directly with the rag.
• Do not use any cleaning pads or wipes because they can leave residue.
• Use soapy water to clean the mesh, if needed.
• If you’re using a mesh screen, take the mesh apart to get all the dirt.
• Using a soft brush, gently scrub and then dry with a soft cloth.
• Let the area dry before you rewash it.

Note: You can also remove all the dirt with a toothbrush.

Roman Blinds

Cleaning Roman blinds is not a difficult or very time-consuming process. You need the right tools and a little elbow grease. Since the blinds are made of fabric, you will need to get out some heavy-duty elbow grease. You can save time by hand washing the fabric blinds. Make sure to lightly vacuum the blinds to get rid of dirt and fragments and also deal with any stains on your Roman blinds.

Tips For Cleaning Blinds

Just like your house, your blinds need maintenance to avoid any hassle in the future. Below are some tips to follow to effectively keep your blinds clean and neat.

• Towel

Remove your blinds from their rods and hang them back. You can do this by wrapping the rod in a towel and using it to remove the blinds.

• Static Cling

Next is to remove the excess static cling. Before using a ladder, use a large vase filled with water to rinse the blinds. Then, hang the blinds back on their rods.

• Static Free

Remove the rope from the blinds. Wrap the blinds with plastic wrap and use tape to keep them in place. This will help you prevent the dirt from getting on the blinds and preventing any static.

Additional Tips On Cleaning Blinds

• Regular Dusting

Regular dusting should be done a minimum of once a week. This is done to blinds, shutters, sheers, window panels, and shades. This dusting will ensure your blinds look as if they are new.

• Deep-Clean Vacuuming

This type of cleaning can be done intermittently. Deep-clean vacuuming should not only be done on most blinds but also other window covering. Check for any instructions before you start vacuuming the blinds.

• Hairdryer Dusting

Use a hairdryer to blow off dust whenever you do deep cleaning. Use the non-heating setting on your hairdryer and check the material to ensure it is suitable for a hairdryer dusting.

• Spot-Cleaning

Whenever you notice a stain on your blind, clean it immediately. You do not have to clean the entire blind but instead do a spot-cleaning. Wet a piece of cloth with lukewarm water and blot the spot. Do not be tempted to rub it off, as this could damage the blinds.

• Aluminium Blinds

These types of blinds need cleaners that you can purchase over the counter. After buying the blind cleaner, use a soft piece of cloth or material to clean.

Alternative Wood And Vinyl Products

Static Cling

To reduce static cling, wipe the blinds with dryer sheets before cleaning. Ask the individual behind the counter to recommend cleaning solutions as some of these solutions can damage your blinds if you do not follow the instructions.

Wood Blinds

Do not use scrubbers or solvents when cleaning wood products, as this will destroy your wood. Instead, use a feather duster to remove any settled dust.

Washing Your Blinds

Sometimes, you forget to wash your blinds, and when you have to open the blinds, dust or dirt is flying out. The cleaning process should not take more than 30 minutes. Some people do not have time for it, and there is no time for it. Either way, it is always advisable to wash your blinds at least once a month.

What to Wash

Firstly, wash the blinds thoroughly with the best cleaning solutions and detergents. Specifically speaking, use a cleaning solution that is best suited to the material of your blinds. Towels and rags should be available to wipe down the blinds. A spray bottle for water is necessary to wash the dust away. A penetrating cleaner should be used to clean the scratches and a soft cloth for regular cleaning.

Hanging the Blinds

As a general rule, clean the blinds only when you take down the curtains or drapes. This means the blinds do not need cleaning when maintaining privacy for your family and pets. This will help save you time. You can also hold onto the blinds for a few days. This will allow you to wash them with a disinfectant spray before you hang them up again.

You can even hang the blinds outside to dry, which is the best way to ensure that you protect them against dust mites and mould. The first step is to find a hook to hang the blinds to the proper height. You can accomplish this by measuring and marking the brackets. Next, you need to use a clothes hanger to hang the blinds.

Ensure that the hanger fits appropriately and does not cause the curtain rod to bend. You can alternatively use a hairdryer to dry your blinds. Set it on warm and gently hoover over the blind. Never use the hot setting on your hairdryer, as this might damage the blinds.

How To Avoid Dirty Blinds

• Don’t let dust accumulate. Dust can accumulate very quickly if you let it. That is why the easiest and the most effective method to avoid dirty blinds is to keep them in good condition. If you take appropriate care of your blinds, they will remain in good shape and get better looking.
• Use a good amount of powder to remove all the dust. Wipe the blinds clean with a microfiber cloth and using a little paint on the same cloth. Rub the cloth on the blinds. Let the powder act as a medium to transfer the dust to the cloth. Shake off the dust with another microfiber cloth or a cotton rag. Then rub the blinds again with a clean rag.

Cleaning Blinds Summary

The first step of cleaning blinds is to stop using the blinds for at least 12 hours to allow the dirt and dust to be sucked up by the vent. This also ensures the blinds will dry adequately and not collapse when you are trying to open them. Now all that’s left is to soak the blinds in a bucket of water and give them a good scrub.

Make sure you are using detergent with bleach to clean the blinds. Leave the blinds to dry correctly and let them air dry. This will ensure you are giving them a thorough cleaning. For vacuum cleaning blinds, the best tool for the job is small handheld vacuums powered by batteries. These are lightweight, easy to use, and do a good job of sucking up the dust. Next, vacuum blinds with a portable duster or a room-cleaning vacuum.

Professional Blind Cleaning

We recommend a deep cleaning to be done once in a while. If you decide to do it yourself, know the type of material used and how to clean that material. Do not use any highly abrasive substances or any solvents as this might damage the material. We also recommend getting a professional domestic cleaner to clean your blinds. They are experts, so they know how to treat different types of blinds. Now you can sit back with your cup of coffee and let them worry about the cleaning.