Blinds or shades may not be cleaned as often as the windows which they serve to cover. Shade and blinds also need regular cleaning, that is why you need to know how to clean them properly. Whether your shades or blinds are vinyl, wood, fabric, or aluminum, window blinds keep the room cool, they also block the light and provide privacy. However, dust and other dirt also settle in these shades or blinds.
While cleaning the shades or blinds may require you to take them down, this is not always the case. All you need are some tools and time to clean your blinds without taking apart everything. Learn how to clean the blinds easily with our team at Wholesale Blind Factory!
Steps for cleaning window blinds
1. Gather the required materials
The first thing you should do is to gather the necessary materials to clean the blinds such as:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Clean cloths or rags
- Dishwashing liquid or any liquid soap
- Water
- Baking Soda
2. Close the Blinds
Start by fully closing the blinds. Wood blinds can be completely shut whereas vinyl and aluminum blinds. These are often overlaid, should be tilted downward but not completely closed.
3. Dust the Blinds
For Vertical Blinds, you should hold the lower part of the blind to stabilize it. Then wipe the blinds with a cloth starting from the top and working your way down. It is important that the wiping should be in a downward position otherwise the blinds will be unhooked. When using a vacuum cleaner, the setting must be in “low-suction” while using the soft dusting brush attachment.
- For Horizontal Blinds, the process is exactly the same but this time. The cleaning should be done from side to side, instead of top to bottom. Working from the top to the bottom is necessary so that dust doesn’t fall on areas you have already cleaned.
4. Reverse or flip the blinds and then repeat the process
Flip the blinds so that the other side is facing you. Then, repeat the process above using your cloth or vacuum.
5. Using a wet or damp cloth for densely soiled blinds
If mere dusting is not enough in cleaning your blinds because of the dense settlement of the dust or dirt. Then using a cloth dampened with warm water may be required for thorough cleaning.
6. Deep Clean
If your vinyl or aluminum blinds are in the kitchen and are regularly exposed to grease, residue, or stubborn dust, then they may require a deep clean. To do this, you must take the blinds off the window and place them in a bathtub with warm water, some liquid soap, and a cup of baking soda. Let the blinds sit in the bathtub for about an hour or more and then rinse with warm water. Then wipe away the excess dirt or dust.
Blinds that have been exposed to the sun for too long such that they look yellowish and dingy. The proper way to clean this is to soak the blinds in cold water, and 3 cups of liquid bleach, then thoroughly rinse and dry off.
Cleaning different types of window blind materials
Before cleaning your blinds, you must take the type of material of the blinds or shade into account since there are different ways of cleaning the different types of blinds.
Wood blinds
In cleaning wood blinds, you should never wash them as this can cause the expansion of the wood and therefore warp its structure. Likewise, you should avoid using hard chemicals that can damage the blinds. The best way in cleaning wooden blinds is to simply use a dry feather duster or a cloth to gently wipe. This is because plastic blinds flex easily, are washable and are less likely to break, and are much easier to maintain than other types of blinds.
Fabric blinds
When it comes to cleaning blinds that are made in fabric, your vacuum is your most trusty tool. In order to do this, use the dust brush attachment of your vacuum to gently remove the dust and dirt that has settled or accumulated. To spot clean (cleaning only certain spots), use a damp rag and dab at the spots which you want to clean.
Metal blinds
The best way to clean aluminum blinds is to use a dry rag and wipe away any dirt and dust. If it has been a while since the blinds have been cleaned and dust has accumulated, try using a mixture of liquid soap and cold water. Make sure to clean from top to bottom to prevent dust from falling in areas that you have already cleaned.
At Wholesale Blind Factory, we guarantee 100% service satisfaction in supplying high-quality yet affordable blinds that are durable. Give us a call on 📞 (604) 942-4201 today and get started with our finest window blinds with FREE in-house consultation and a guaranteed warranty.