Time for a Spring Clean – Top Tips for cleaning your blinds

Spring time is upon us, and as the clocks go forward and the days get longer, the first thing we all want to do is give our homes a spring clean! While dusting away the winter months, we all know the usual places we like to clean including cabinets and tables, but don’t forget about your window blinds and curtains! Regular cleaning and upkeep will also help to your blinds look fresh and new for longer.

We have created this blog to give you our expert advice on ‘how to clean blinds’ and recommend the following tips to help get your home in tip top shape for the warmer months ahead.

How to clean your blinds

Before you start to clean your blinds, it is important that you learn as much about them to make sure you know what type of cleaning/washing each type of blind is suitable for. All blinds are different and some types of blinds can be ruined by the use of water on them. This information can be easily found by checking the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning to avoid costly mistakes. Most blinds should come with care instructions or will be provided by your retailer.

Cleaning by types of blind

Here is our guide to help you get started. You can dust most blinds regularly with a soft cloth on both sides to get rid of any dust build up. Vertical blinds can be dusted with a feather/ostrich duster. We recommend one with a handle as they can more easily get to those awkward slats.

Aluminium Venetians are probably the easiest to clean as they are the most moisture resistant, so a damp cloth is ideal for wiping away those dust particles.

For blinds such as Roller, Vertical and Pleated that require a deeper clean to remove stains etc, sponge cleaning can sometimes be recommended, but please check the fabric properties to ensure this is a suitable method for your particular blind. Romans and Curtains are made of delicate fabric therefore we always recommend professional cleaning.

Be prepared

Before you start to clean anything, it is important that you have the correct cleaning products. As you are aware there are a variety of products on the market, so it is important to ensure you purchase the correct products for your blinds, so not to damage your blinds and also not waste money.

• Baby wipes, which are soft and non-abrasive, can be great for wiping tapes on Venetian blinds and for operating wands etc.
• Ostrich feather duster – the tiny barbules on the ostrich feathers act as fingers to collect dust without leaving static electricity behind, perfect for wooden blinds.
• Micro-fibre cloth – lint free and gentle, it is claimed that micro-fibre cloths are up to four times more effective than normal cloths. We love this tailor made Venetian blind microfibre cleaner from Lakeland https://bit.ly/2OWd6zm that wipes down two slats at a time

Dusting is important

Weekly dusting is no fun for anyone, but a weekly dust over your blinds will stop dust build up and limit the potential for stains and dirty marks, which are much more difficult to remove and can result in a more expensive alternative to get clean, or the need to replace blinds more often.

Vacuuming

Dusting is not always enough. Vacuuming your blinds every couple of months allows for a deeper clean and picks up those stubborn marks and particles that your duster could have missed! We recommend using the upholstery attachment of your cleaner.  If you have a cordless machine with a short attachment for the tricky to reach areas this will make light work of this chore.

Stay away from harsh chemicals 

Warm water and a mild detergent should be sufficient for most types of window blind as harsh chemicals can damage delicate material.  Be careful not to drench your blinds as this can cause discolouration and distort wooden blinds. A mixture of 25% white vinegar and 75% water, can help to remove heavier dirt and stains.

Wood and aluminium blinds are easier to wipe down with liquid than fabrics without fear of damage but it’s still important not to use too much water, which could cause blinds to warp or damage the finish.

Check your blinds components

The wand, rod or bottom bar that operates the blinds is often handled daily (unless you’re lucky enough to have motorised blinds), yet many people still don’t clean it regularly.  Luckily, it’s the easiest part of the blinds to clean and can be wiped clean with anti-bacterial wipe or spray.

Here’s to a healthy Spring and Summer following a Spring clean!