
Blinds serve both aesthetic as well as utilitarian purposes. However, they require regular cleaning, as accumulation of dust can make them dirty.
Cleaning blinds may look like a Herculean task, but you can do it in a jiffy, if you have a basic idea about the right methods. If you have installed blinds at your home, make sure that they are cleaned regularly. Dust accumulated for months on end can be more difficult to remove. Such dirty blinds may also pose health risks. Regular cleaning involves dusting both sides of the blinds using a lambswool duster, paintbrush, or vacuum cleaner with the soft brush attachment. Once a week dusting will be sufficient to maintain your blinds clean. Wash the blinds once in every three to six weeks. This can be done on your own, or by hiring professionals. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially in case of expensive blinds.
Blinds can be made with different materials, like plastic, fabric, metal, wood, etc. If you have wooden blinds, it is not advisable to soak them in water, while cleaning. At the same time, you may soak plastic ones, so as to remove dirt. The following guidelines may prove useful for you in cleaning blinds.
- Let us start with real wood blinds, that are not usually washed. The best way to clean blinds in this case, is regular dusting. At the most, you may use a damp rag for cleaning every single slat. If the slats are stain-finished, use lemon oil to wipe them. These tips are not meant for faux wood, that can be cleaned with water.
- If you have aluminum blinds, handle them carefully while cleaning. They are highly flexible, and are prone to develop bends. Wipe each slat with a damp rag, after spraying it lightly with a mild detergent solution. Hot water should not be used for this purpose. If the slats are too dirty, then remove and immerse them in lukewarm water mixed with a mild detergent. Use a soft brush or damp cloth to clean each slat. Rinse with plain water and hang out to dry, before fixing them again. The same methods can be used for vinyl and PVC blinds too.
- In case of aluminum, PVC and vinyl blinds, the easiest way is to remove and wash them outdoors. Hang them and spray water using a hose, so as to remove dirt. Otherwise, lay them on an old rug, and clean both sides of the slats with a soft brush and mild detergent solution. Allow them to dry before fixing again.
- Regular vacuuming is sufficient for cleaning cellular shades. You may also wipe them with a damp cloth, but it is not advisable to immerse them in water. You may remove dirt and grime through spot cleaning using a mild detergent. Make sure to handle these blinds carefully while cleaning, so as to avoid formation of creases.
- In case of fabric blinds, the best way to clean is regular dusting or vacuuming. You may also go for spot cleaning with a damp sponge, after spraying a mild detergent solution. It is not a good idea to soak fabric blinds for cleaning. If they are too dirty, opt for dry cleaning.
To summarize, it is always preferable to vacuum or dust blinds on a regular basis, so that they don’t get dirty. If they get dirty, you may adopt any of the above said methods, according to the type of blinds. If the manufacturer has provided some specific methods for cleaning the blinds, you have to follow those instructions.