Installing window blinds comes with plenty of benefits. Typically, they can help control the amount of privacy you want to shine through your home and help keep it cool at all times.
However, this type of window treatment has several small pieces that can attract all dirt and dust, thereby wearing your blinds out more quickly. As such, it’s important to properly maintain your window blinds, which can be done through a clean-up.
Keep reading this article to learn more about five tips to clean your blinds:
- Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
First and foremost, you need to get hold of the proper cleaning supplies to ensure a more efficient clean-up of your window blinds. However, you should remember that the materials you’re going to use may depend on the amount of dirt and dust your blinds have accumulated.
Thus, regardless of which type of window blinds you have, such as the ones you can find in online stores like Make My Blinds, the following are the essential cleaning supplies you should prepare from the get-go:
- A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attached to it
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing liquid
- Microfiber cloths
- Warm water
As you can see, there are many cleaning supplies that you should have for the cleaning process. With these things in place, you’re able to clean your window blinds easily and efficiently.
- Vacuum The Blinds
After gathering all the essential cleaning materials, the next step is to vacuum the window blinds with the use of the brush attachment. This is to ensure you avoid denting or scratching the slats and get them damaged in the long run. If you’re looking for the best results, it’s a good idea to close the slats in one direction to vacuum more surface area.
Thereafter, open the slats and close them on the opposite side to clean the whole surface. By doing all of these, you’re able to get the most out of the clean-up.
- Do Some Spot Cleaning
Once you’re done with the vacuuming, it’s time to do some spot cleaning by looking for dirt buildup and finger marks that require more attention.
To get started, use a damp non-abrasive sponge to wipe and clean some dirty sections. However, if you want to prevent water from spots, try wiping it with an old, dry towel or a clean microfiber cloth.
- Think About Keeping Your Window Blinds Clean Longer
Just like other cleaning processes, keeping your window blinds clean and free from dirt and dust can be a time-consuming undertaking. You may not have all the time to clean this window treatment, which is why you want to keep them clean longer.
To do this, the following are some tips to consider from the beginning:
- Refrain from using hot water when cleaning aluminum blinds, else you’ll also feel the heat while cleaning them.
- Dust window blinds by using dry sheets as they can keep dust from settling on the slats.
- Do a quick cleaning with a sock along with a bit of water for better results.
- Use a powerful blow-dryer when blasting dust away in certain hard-to-reach areas, including the header of the blinds.
- Follow Specific Rules When Cleaning Each Type Of Window Blinds
Just like the other popular window treatments for your home, your window blinds can also be heavily soiled, making the clean-up more difficult. This can also mean that they need more than vacuuming or dusting.
Below are the cleaning processes to keep in mind based on the type of window blinds you have in your home:
- Wood Blinds – Use a damp cloth filled with vinegar when removing dust or dirt from this type of window blinds. Typically, vinegar doesn’t only eliminate dirt but it’s also a natural antimicrobial agent, which is effective at killing microorganisms or stopping their growth.
Once you’re done, wipe them dry to prevent discoloration. Lastly, apply a wood conditioner to safeguard the slats from sun damage.
- Faux-Wood Blinds – The same cleaning method as wood blind applies to this type. The only difference is the use of a wood conditioner. Instead of using it, you can clean each slat with a fabric softener to avoid the buildup of dust for a long time. As months pass by, simply wipe your blinds using a new cloth to keep them clean.
- Vertical Blinds – You can utilize the same cleaning procedure as the faux-wood blinds. But if you want some favorable results, don’t hesitate to use a lint roller on each slat as it easily and effectively helps gather dust and cobwebs.
- Venetian Blinds – Cleaning these blinds, which are made from aluminum and vinyl, is much easier than other types. All you have to do is wash them in the tub of warm water. Then, soak the slats and scrub them gently with a sponge.
Once it’s done, drain the water, refill it, and soak them again to eliminate the remaining grime. The next step is to get the blinds from the tub and place them on towels to dry completely before rehanging them.
- Fabric Blinds – Vacuum these blinds thoroughly with a dust brush. To reduce the possibility of damaging your blinds, you can set the vacuum cleaner into a low setting.
Also, if you’re not using a vacuum cleaner, you can utilize a blow dryer to remove dirt or bugs, as mentioned above. In case the fabric blinds are stained, use a microfiber cloth to eliminate the stain. Thereafter, allow the blinds to completely dry before you rehang them. If the fabric blinds are badly stained, bring them to a dry cleaner.
Wrapping Up
Generally, window blinds are one of the famous window treatments due to their ability to make your home more comfortable and welcoming by ensuring privacy and regulating the light that enters the room. But when you start neglecting them, they can become soiled and can easily wear out.
Thus, if you want to get the most out of this investment, start protecting your window blinds by cleaning them thoroughly. Follow the tips mentioned above and you’ll be able to make this chore a breeze and keep your blinds easily maintainable over time.
