Blinds offer many benefits, such as blocking light, providing privacy and keeping your room cool. However, blinds are also great at collecting pet hair, dust and dirt from your home. Luckily, various cleaning methods are available without the need to take your blinds off the window. With a few simple tools and a couple of minutes, you can quickly and easily clean your blinds.
Tools for Cleaning Blinds
The easiest way to clean blinds will depend on how much dirt is present. Regardless of the material of your blinds, you will want to assemble the following tools:
- A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush
- Microfiber cloths
- Microfiber mini blind duster
Tips for Cleaning Blinds
Cleaning your blinds can help freshen the appearance of your home décor and free the air of dust and other potentially dangerous particles. Before you begin cleaning, there are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to provide a deep clean while protecting your blinds:
- If you take down your blinds to clean them in the tub, wait until they dry completely to rehang them.
- Clean your blinds before sweeping or vacuuming your floor to avoid spreading dust and dirt
- Don’t use water on your blinds without first clearing the dust away with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Do not spray air freshener, hairspray or other sticky sprays near your blinds as they may cause residue to build up over time.
- If you do not have a microfiber cloth or glove, putting an old clean sock over your hand works just as well to clean your window coverings.
How to Clean Blinds Without Taking Them Down
While you can take your blinds off the wall to remove dust and dirt, it is also important to know how to clean blinds while they are hanging. Depending on your preferences, here are two methods you can use to clean blinds without taking them down:
Microfiber Cloth, Duster or Glove
To start the cleaning process:
- Open your blind.
- If you have a cloth, wrap it around the slat.
- For a microfiber glove, wrap your glove around the blind.
To remove dust from horizontal blinds, begin at the slat’s top and work to the bottom to ensure you do not need to clean again when the dust settles from the slat above. As you clean, wipe the slat from the left slide to the right side.
To clean a vertical blind, wrap your cloth around the entire blind and move from the top of the slat to the bottom of the slat. While it is faster to clean with the blinds closed, you won’t be cleaning the entire slat. As you notice your cloth collecting dust, take it outside and shake it to avoid distributing dust on your blinds again.
If your vinyl, faux wood or metal blinds have stubborn stains or sticky residue:
- Place a microfiber cloth in warm water combined with liquid dish detergent.
- Squeeze the cloth until it is damp and move it from the left slide of the slat to the right slide of the slat or start at the top and work your way downwards for vertical blinds.
- Buff water spots and streaks by wiping with a dry cloth. If you have a blind made of natural wood, avoid using water.
Vacuum
Cleaning your blinds with a canister, upright or handheld vacuum is an easy and fast way to refresh your blinds. To clean blinds with your vacuum:
- Attach the soft brushing attaching and depending on your vacuum, place it on the lowest suction setting.
- Grab the bottom, so it is taut. Move the vacuum horizontally from the left slide of the blind to the right side of the blind along the closed slats.
- Repeat step two but move in a right to left motion until every slat is free from dust.
- Turn the slays around and repeat steps two and three until each slat is clean on both sides.
How To Clean Fabric Blinds
Fabric blinds add privacy and a decorative element to windows. While most fabric blinds feature dust and moisture-resistant protective coatings, you should still clean them regularly. Before starting the cleaning process, you will need:
- A vacuum with a hose and upholstery brush
- Microfiber cloths
- Small bowls
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing liquid
Ideally, all blinds should undergo a weekly dusting to prevent dirt from settling on the surface. However, most people dust their blinds at least once a month with a deeper cleaning around twice yearly. If you have fabric blinds in your kitchen or bathroom, you need to do a seasonal deep clean to remove grease or other sticky particles. To clean fabric blinds:
- Lower your horizontal blinds or draw vertical blinds over the window until they reach their full extension. Tilt each slat to close them and expose the largest cleaning surface.
- Attach the upholstery brush to your vacuum to dust your blinds. If you do not have a vacuum, you can always wipe down each slat with a microfiber cloth.
- For a horizontal fabric blind, stabilize the bottom with one hand and run the vacuum or cloth over each slat or section starting at the top. Do not apply too much pressure as it may damage your blinds. After completing one side, turn the slats in the opposite direction and begin the process again. For blinds that are one solid piece of fabric, hold the blind away from the window and vacuum the other side.
- For vertical fabric blinds, hold the bottom of each slat and vacuum from top to bottom. Moving in a downward motion prevents your slats from unhooking at the top. Pay attention to the hardware, as it may also catch and hold dust. After cleaning one side, reverse the slats and begin vacuuming the other side.
- To remove stains on your fabric blinds, place two cups of lukewarm water in a bowl and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Combine the two and dip a cloth into the solution before gently dapping at the stain.
- After dabbing the stain, dip a microfiber cloth in clean water and use it to wipe away the soapy residue to prevent discoloration.
- Allow your blinds to air dry before opening them again.
Find the Perfect Blinds at Vineyard Blind and Shutter
Vineyard Blind and Shutter is here for all of your window covering needs. With a wide selection of roller, faux wood, Venetian, vertical and Roman blinds, you’re sure to find a window covering option to match your home’s current style and décor.
We are veteran-owned and family-operated and always strive to put our customers first. We guarantee when you shop with us, our expert staff will answer any questions so you can feel confident about your selection. For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment for an installation, please complete our contact form today!
