Easy Cleaning! Tips for Window Blinds

September 17, 2007 |

As always, we are here to help. Here we have our step by step tips and tricks for cleaning your lovely window blinds.

Aluminium Venetian Blinds

There’s a couple of options with Aluminium Venetian blinds, firstly you can use a blind cleaner, a special type of duster designed to get in between the slats. This makes the cleaning extremely quick and easy but it is only really suitable for dusting. For a more thorough clean, the blinds can be closed and wiped down or an even easier method is to take the blind down and use either the bath or shower to spray the blind down. Try to avoid using any soap products as unless you have the time to spend making sure that every last bit of soap is washed off. Soapy products can turn even the most expensive aluminium blind, a slightly yellow colour!

Wooden Venetian Blinds

The trick to Wooden Venetian blinds is in the preparation. When the blinds have been installed and you have finished admiring them, it’s worth giving them a good polish with a wax based polish. This helps to protect the timber and the richness of colour. The wax in the polish builds up a protective layer which will repel any splashes or marks. This means that as long as this is done fairly routinely, once every three months or so, all you will need to do in the meantime is a little dusting.

Roller Blinds

You should find that the roller blind requires the minimum of maintenance, the act of raising and lowering the blind displaces dust from the fabric, if you found that there was a heavier build up of dust then simply use your vacuum to run over the material, it will not damage the fabric if used with a little care.
On most types of Roller blind any more substantial marks can be simply wiped away using a sponge and warm water. However for some materials, such as faux suede’s and softer cotton based materials, ask the manufacturer what they advise as the last thing you want is a lasting stain on an otherwise perfect blind.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are simple and very easy to keep clean. In a similar manner to a roller blind, a Roman blind can be cleaned by running the vacuum over the material to remove dust. Some fabric Roman blinds are also machine washable but be prudent and check with the manufacturer before putting your blind in for a quick spin!

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blind materials are pre-treated with a protective coating to keep them straight and make them fairly stain/mark resistant. However, should you find that you need to clean them you should use a sponge and warm water with a mild detergent. Very gently dab away any marks whilst trying not to get the blind too wet or to rub too harshly so as to ensure the protective coating is not damaged. The fabric must be left suspended from the head-rail with the weight in place at the bottom to ensure that it dries evenly and straight.

Pleated Blinds

Simply vacuum a pleated blind and it will be as good as new, there’s nothing else needed. There’s a very light wax coating to the fabric which helps keep them clean and also keeps the creases for the pleats in place.
Definitely do not get them wet as they react badly (think Gremlins) to warm water.

Comments

13 Comments so far

Jill Collins on November 6, 2007 4:29 pm
Hi - can you help? I’ve just moved into an expensive apartment in Oz, and last night when I closed my huge, off white patio roller blind, a moth had been caught in the top, and I now have 3 blobs of blood stains at around 5″ intervals! And the blood has travelled across horizontally on one line of the mesh. They are a plastic/fabric type mesh blind, I am sure you know the kind I mean. I am here for 6 months, so hopefully have time to remove the stains - do you know how please? Just my luck! I have looked for the make, but can’t find anything on them. I do hope you can help me.

Jill Collins
Ian R on November 9, 2007 6:07 am
Hi Jill

I recommend using diluted hydrogen peroxide, this will break down the proteins in the dried blood stains and will bring the blinds up as good as new.
However, make sure to thoroughly soak the blind in cold water after the blood has been cleaned away so as to stop the peroxide from working, otherwise it would burn a hole through the fabric.
I hope this helps

Ian
lynn on November 16, 2007 8:43 am
please help,looking to make my own vertical blinds but cant find a supplier for the materials.
Can you be of any assistance

many thanks Lynn
Ian R on November 17, 2007 12:46 pm
Hi Lynn

If you need just the material, call us. We will be happy to help.

Ian
graeme on December 2, 2007 10:36 am
hi I can’t seem to get mildew or mold marks from a roller blind in the bathroom any suggestions how to clean it?
Ian R on December 3, 2007 2:26 am
Hi Graeme,

Is the roller blind made from cotton or a made made material such as Polyester or Nylon?
Chris on January 1, 2008 11:48 am
Our pleated blinds have gotten moldy. What is the best way to get those clean?
Ian R on January 3, 2008 5:59 am
Hi Chris

The means to clean a pleated blind depends upon what material the blind is made from. Can you let us have a little more information?
Chris on January 3, 2008 10:12 pm
Thanks, Ian.

They came with the house, so this may be just a best guess . . . we think it has kind of a satin-y feel to it. The mold is only in the corner where they are always folded down.
Ian R on January 7, 2008 9:33 am
Hi Chris

There’s a couple of steps to successfully removing the mould. Firstly the surface growth of the mould should be brushed away and the fabric should be moved into direct sunlight (hard to find at this time of year so it may take a little while). This should kill the mould and may even clear it for you. If any spots remain then mix a little water, lemon juice and salt together and dab this onto the fabric to clean them away. Again, dry the blind in sunlight for the best effect.

Hopefully this should help. Using lemon juice and salt often is the best way of cleaning any moulds away from most surfaces. It doesn’t damage the surface you are cleaning in the same way that bleach or detergent can.

Let us know how this works out for you.
paul on January 18, 2008 4:21 am
how do you get black mould out of vertical blinds whilst cleaning them. do i use a special cleaner
Ian R on January 18, 2008 4:29 am
Hi Paul

Take a look at the comment above regarding the lemon juice and salt solution. This should work for you too.
Tanya on May 20, 2008 5:26 pm
How do i get the horrible cigarette smoke smell out of my vertical blinds?

All we know about window blinds, including tips, tricks and a few trade secrets. News, views and opinions of the staff of www.blinds-bar.co.uk, a UK blinds retailer, who share their knowledge.

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