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How to Clean Vertical Blinds: Tips for a Spotless View
Aside from aesthetics, vertical blinds are a practical window covering that blocks out light and offers good insulation. Over time, dirt and dust particles can accumulate on the slats, making them look dull and dingy.
Cleaning your blinds guarantees both longevity and better functionality, as well as a spotless view. Due to elements that are difficult to remove, like pet fur and smoke residue, regular cleaning is necessary to keep your vertical blinds looking good.
By the end of this article, you'll learn the best methods for cleaning vertical blinds, shades, and shutters, when to seek professional help, and common mistakes to avoid when tackling this task. So read on!
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Why Do Vertical Blinds Require Regular Cleaning?
- Understanding Your Blinds
- Types of Vertical Blinds
- The Cleaning Process: Step-by-Step Guide
- Maintenance Tips for Spotless Blinds
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Professional Cleaning: When to Consider It, Pros & Cons
- Wrapping Up: Enjoy Your Spotless View
- FAQs
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Why Do Vertical Blinds Require Regular Cleaning?
It's imperative to learn how to clean dirty vertical blinds and do it regularly, not only for aesthetics but also for your health. Over time, dirt particles, grime, and allergens can settle on the blinds, causing indoor air quality to plummet and triggering allergies.
According to the US National Center for Healthy Housing, dust exposure may also lead to other serious health issues, such as respiratory ailments and – when contaminated with lead – even lead poisoning.
Take note as well that neglecting their cleaning can also cause discoloration and degradation, reducing the blinds' lifespan. But before learning the easiest way to clean vertical blinds or even the right vertical blinds maintenance, let's first get to know more about common types you'll encounter.
Understanding Your Blinds
Vertical blinds come in a wide variety of materials, such as fabric, plastic, wood and more. Knowing the material your blinds are made from is key to properly caring for them – some may require delicate cleaning, while others can be easily maintained with simple techniques.
For instance, to spot clean fabric blinds, you need to use gentle chemicals like mild soap and warm water. This is different for plastic blinds, which can be cleaned with a damp cloth and glass cleaner. Whatever the case may be, it's important to understand how to clean your vertical blinds so that they last longer and look great.
Tip: You can examine your window treatment and determine which type of material it is by checking the label. If it's not with you anymore, don't worry. You can still identify the material by inspecting its texture, colour and weight.
Fabric vertical blinds usually look softer, while plastic ones are tougher. Aluminum and wooden blinds would be heavier as opposed to lighter vinyl ones.
Types of Vertical Blinds
There are two main types: rigid vinyl and soft fabric blinds. Vinyl vanes offer complete privacy and are relatively easy to maintain, boasting resistance to dust and longevity. Besides, the spectrum of modern designs and colour choices make them versatile for any room.
On the other hand, fabric vanes crafted from polyester can moderate sunlight and maintain room temperature significantly better than their vinyl counterparts. They offer a softer, homier feel, with wind resistance and lightweight construction adding to their appeal. With its softer texture, understanding how to clean fabric vertical blinds gently becomes especially crucial.
The Cleaning Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Before you start the cleaning process, it's important to prepare your vertical blinds. Start by checking the blind vanes for functionality and any signs of damage. If you see any broken or damaged parts, it's best to replace them before attempting to clean the blinds.
Once your vertical blinds are ready for cleaning, you can then proceed to material preparation.
Cleaning Supplies
See to it that you have the right cleaning supplies on hand. In general, you would need the following:
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment: It's vital as a vacuum may be needed for several cleaning steps.
- Damp or microfiber cloth: This is used for dusting and wiping down the blinds.
- Mild soap: Choose a non-toxic, mild soap that's suitable for your type of material.
- Glass cleaner or window cleaning solution: These can be used to clean plastic blinds.
- Warm water and a bucket: Creating soapy water and/or using warm water is important when cleaning fabric blinds.
You can use substitutes such as baking soda or vinegar for some cleaning steps. A vacuum cleaner may be replaced with either a soft-bristled brush or a feather duster.
Preliminary Dusting
To properly dust your vertical blinds, you need to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Start by adjusting the suction power on the vacuum cleaner and set it to low-medium strength. This is important as too much suction can cause damage to your window treatments.
Next, gently move the brush head of the vacuum across each slat at least two times in one direction. Circular motions when vacuuming could cause you to miss dust particles that are harder to remove once they settle into crevices or corners.
Deep Cleaning
There are techniques and precautions to take for different materials when deep cleaning blinds.
Fabric blinds can be delicate materials, so it is important to use a mild soap that is appropriate for the material. Gently hand wash each slat with a cloth soaked in soapy water, and use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess water. What you should refrain from is using a washing machine as it can damage the fabric.
For plastic and vinyl blinds, spray some glass cleaner onto a cloth and wipe each slat starting from the top and going down in one direction. This will help prevent streaking. Once finished, use a damp cloth to remove any excess cleaner.
Wooden blinds need special attention when cleaning as they can be easily damaged by water or chemicals. After removing dirt, you can use a white vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) for deep cleaning. Dampen a cloth with the solution and carefully wipe down each slat.
Drying the Blinds
Excess water can cause damage to any type of blinds for windows – this and mould build-up are common problems with fabric blinds. To prevent both, ensure that you allow your blinds to hang in a room with good ventilation. You can also use a fan or hairdryer on the lowest setting to speed up the process.
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Maintenance Tips for Spotless Blinds
Schedule regular cleanings for your blinds to keep them looking their best. This helps you avoid a build-up of dirt and dust, which can make them harder to clean.
To determine how often you should maintain your blinds, consider how much dirt and dust they accumulate while also paying attention to where they are located; the presence of children, pets, or visitors; and other elements, such as smoke that causes staining.
For instance, if you install vertical blinds in an area where people usually congregate, it is best to clean them at least once a week. On the other hand, if you have roller blinds in your bedroom or living room where there isn’t as much foot traffic, you can get away with cleaning them every two weeks or so.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Certain things hurt your blinds more so than help them. To keep your blinds looking their best, avoid making the following mistakes:
- Using abrasive cleaners: Many household cleaning products contain harsh chemicals and abrasives that can damage surfaces over time. When it comes to cleaning your blinds, opt for gentle, non-abrasive solutions.
- Scrubbing too hard: While you want all of the dirt removed from the slats, scrubbing too hard can cause scratches or other damage. Use a soft cloth and gentle motions when wiping down each slat.
- Cleaning the blinds in a washing machine: This is one of the worst things you can do to your blinds. The agitation caused by a washer can damage them beyond repair. It can only work if your machine has a delicate setting that can accommodate the size and weight of your blinds.
The best thing you could do to keep your blinds spotless is to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them closely. That way, you can guarantee that your blinds will be treated properly and stay in good condition for years to come.
Professional Cleaning: When to Consider It, Pros & Cons
We understand you may not always have the time or energy to clean your blinds as often as they need. In such cases, you can get professional help.
With a professional cleaner, you can get access to specialized cleaning solutions and tools that can make your blinds come out looking like new. The downside is that it’ll cost you more money for this service, so consider this before making a decision.
It is also important to note that there are different types of blinds with different cleaning instructions, so inform the company on which type of blinds they will be dealing with.
| DIY Cleaning | Professional Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | ||
| Cost | Typically cheaper as it uses common household cleaning supplies. | More expensive due to labor costs and specialized cleaning solutions. |
| Time Commitment | Can be done at your convenience, anytime. | Saves personal time, as the job is outsourced. |
| Learning Experience | Provides an opportunity to understand the intricacies of your blinds. | No learning curve required; the experts handle it. |
| Cons | ||
| Quality of Results | May vary based on your skill level and the cleaning supplies used. | Typically consistent and high-quality due to professional-grade tools and expertise. |
| Risk of Damage | Higher risk of inadvertent damage if not handled properly. | Lower risk as professionals are experienced and trained. |
| Convenience | Can be a tedious task, especially for large or hard-to-reach blinds. | Very convenient; most companies offer pick-up and drop-off services. |
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Your Spotless View
Regularly cleaning your blinds will help ensure they last for years and look great all the time. Just remember the do's and don’ts: use the right cleaning products, don't forget to dust them off regularly, and consider professional help when necessary.
In the end, the best way to keep your blinds spotless is by following the manufacturer’s instructions. This works better if the manufacturer has good after-service support. With that, you can be sure your blinds will look great and last for a long time.
At Factory Direct Blinds, we offer a wide range of blinds, shades, and shutters, together with free samples and even custom blinds.
But that doesn't stop there – you can consult our experts via call, chat, or email to help you select the best blinds for your needs and how you can install, maintain, and even measure for vertical blinds and more!
Reach out to us today and let us work with you to have blinds that look spotless for years to come.
FAQs
What's the easiest way to clean vertical blinds?
The most convenient way possible is by using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
What is the best way to clean blinds without taking them down?
As uninstalling your blinds may be tedious, the best way is to use a soft cloth and gently wipe down each slat.
Do vertical blinds need cleaning?
Yes, vertical blinds need to be cleaned regularly to keep them in good condition and make them look like new.
Can you use vinegar to clean vertical blinds?
Especially for wooden blinds, vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner and can be used to clean vertical blinds.
