How to Properly Clean Your Blinds

You may have heard people talk about how wonderful blinds are and how easy they are to maintain. One of the main reasons why people love blinds is the fact that they are so easy to clean. Curtains, for example, need to be removed and washed, or even dry cleaned. Blinds, on the other hand, can be cleaned while they are hanging! The cleaning method you use will depend on the type of blinds you have installed. Here’s how to clean blinds so that they always look great!

Non-fabric blinds
The first step is to remove as much dust as possible. You can use a vacuum or soft cloth to wipe. Horizontal blinds need to be cleaned from one side to the other and you should work your way from top to bottom. Vertical blinds are cleaned from top to bottom as well, and you can work your way from left to right until all of the blinds have been dusted. It’s worth noting that vacuums often work best – provided you use an appropriate attachment. You could also invest in a special duster for blinds or use a microfibre cloth. Avoid feather dusters, as they tend to simply toss the dust into the air which isn’t good for your health and the dust will just settle back onto your blinds within a few hours.

Time for a wash
To wash your non-fabric blinds, you will need to add three drops of dishwashing liquid to a bucket of warm water. Use your microfibre cloth and submerge it in the liquid before wringing it out thoroughly. Twist the blinds so that they are flat and tilted slightly towards you. You will need enough space between them so that you can slide in the cloth. Use your fingers to pinch the cloth around the first slant, and hold the other as you run the cloth along to the other end. Do this with all of your blinds and rinse your cloth in between. Baking soda can be used to remove stubborn dirt. Allow your blinds to dry before closing them. You don’t want to trap moisture in between the slats. Washing as often is not necessary, provided you dust your blinds regularly.

Fabric blinds
Like non-fabric blinds, you should vacuum your fabric blinds regularly in order to prevent dirt from building up and discolouration. Once dust makes itself at home on your blinds, it will attract more stubborn dirt, which will result in discolouration. Regular dusting helps prevent this. If you wish to wash your flat roller blinds, you will need to unroll and vacuum them first. Use warm, soapy water and a soft sponge to wash each side. The sponge should be damp, but not dripping wet. Leave the blinds unrolled until dry (usually a day or two). Accordion style blinds are often best cleaned by professionals, because they tend to be a bit more delicate and time-consuming.

There are two main rules when it comes to cleaning your blinds. Firstly, you should never use soaking wet cloths or towels and, secondly, you should avoid harsh chemicals. In so many cases, even plain warm water will do the trick. Stubborn dirt should always be removed gently, rather than scraped in order to avoid damage. Remember to always ask a professional about the amount of maintenance required before you order new blinds for your home. At V+Home, we offer in-home consultations, estimates, and are always happy to provide expert advice and suggestions.