How To Clean Blinds

It sounds easy, but unless you know certain tricks, cleaning your blinds could take quite a bit longer than you’d like. And if you’re anything like most people, it’s easy to forget about cleaning the blinds when you do the rest of your household chores. That is, until one day, you look out the window, realize how dirty they’ve gotten, and hope that no one else has noticed them. So if you’re wondering how to clean blinds most effectively, we will discuss this topic. Let’s start with regularly cleaning aluminum, plastic, faux wood, and natural wood blinds.

First, do not try to use soap and water, as doing it like that leaves streaks and residue behind, is messy, and can cost you a lot of time and unnecessary frustration. Plus, you can’t use water on real wood blinds. Instead, use a microfiber cloth or lambswool duster if your blinds aren’t filthy. Leave the blinds in place and open them up to clean them. If you use a duster, get your vacuum out to pick up the dust and dirt that falls. Clean them from top to bottom, left to right. Be sure if you’re doing more than one set to shake the duster outside between each one. If you use a microfiber cloth, it should catch most of the dust, but close the blinds first, then wipe them from top to bottom. Take the cloth outside, shake it vigorously when it gets too dirty, or switch to a clean cloth. This is an easy way to clean your blinds if you do it regularly. Never use water on wood blinds; we will also talk about how to do a deeper cleaning for these blinds in another section of the article.

How To Clean Fabric Or Cellular Blinds

Nowadays, cellular or fabric blinds are more popular than ever. But many people are at a loss when it comes to cleaning them. You don’t simply wipe or dust the dirt away with fabric materials. However, you still need to maintain them, which includes dusting – of a sort. Instead of using a duster, use a vacuum with a brush attachment. Once a month or so, shut each blind or shade completely. Then, put your vacuum cleaner fitted with a brush attachment on the low suction setting. Then, carefully go over the entire surface in an S-pattern, paying extra attention to the folds or pleat lines. Don’t forget to do both sides, front and back. If you need spot-cleaning, use a little dish soap in lukewarm water. You’ll want to avoid using anything more substantial to avoid weakening the colors or the fibers. Use a sponge dampened in this solution to blot any spots completely, and then another clean sponge damp with water only afterward. Blot dry with a clean towel, then allow air dry. Do not use heat. If your fabric or cellular blinds are stained worse than this, take them to a dry cleaner and let the professionals handle them.

Cleaning More Heavily Soiled Aluminum Blinds

Your aluminum or plastic blinds may have become more heavily soiled and need a deeper cleaning than merely dusting them. Also, blinds used in the kitchen or areas with more traffic can quickly become greasy or grimy. If this is the case, here is a guide to cleaning them. You want to avoid immersing them in water, as this can lead to rusting the mechanism and can void any warranty you may have. Plus, it’s a significant hassle. As previously explained, start by closing the blinds and using a duster or microfiber cloth to dust them; then, mix a solution of 50/50 warm water and white vinegar, then add a small amount of dish soap. Dip a sponge in the solution, then wipe down each slat from left to right and top to bottom. Afterward, take a clean sponge and warm water and go over them again to rinse thoroughly. Air dry or wipe down with a clean cloth. Use the same method for mini-blinds, except use an old sock, put it over your hand to clean the slats, and rinse it periodically.

How To Further Clean Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood (composite) blinds are great for areas with higher humidity, like the kitchen and bathrooms, because they are made with a durable, moisture-resistant composite that costs less than real wood blinds. In addition, they are beautiful and the easiest to clean. Dust them as explained in the first section, and then you can spot-clean them using mild dish soap or detergent and warm water on a slightly damp cloth—Blot and then air dry. When thoroughly dried, run a dryer sheet along each slat. This will help keep dust and grime from sticking for months.

How To Clean Real Wood Blinds

Real wood blinds offer a beautiful and rich design for your home that is classic and elegant. They come in many shades and design types and are famous for Colorado homes. However, it would be best if you took care when cleaning them not to get them wet or allow any moisture buildup to develop. You can dust them with a microfiber cloth, lambs wool duster, or vacuum brush attachment. Please start at the top and work your way down, cleaning each slat, and then reverse them and do the other side. Afterward, you can use a wood conditioner or protectant to prevent damage from the sun. You can even use a little wood polish, spray onto a microfiber cloth first and then apply. Allow blinds to thoroughly air dry before attempting to dust or wipe in any other way.

Keeping your blinds of all types regularly dusted makes cleaning them routinely much easier. I hope this helps, and happy cleaning!

If it’s time to replace those old blinds, schedule your complimentary in-home consultation and contact New View Blinds and Shutters today.