Blinds of all kinds don’t require a terrible amount of maintenance to keep them clean. Although some types of easy to clean blinds attract less dust and debris, making them easy to clean window treatments more than others. You should clean your blinds by dusting them about once every 2 weeks when you vacuum and dust your home. If your blinds get greasy or filthy, you will need to occasionally give them a deep cleaning to keep them in tip-top shape. Below is a list of the blinds in order that are the easiest to clean first down to the hardest to maintain and tips for cleaning them as well.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are made differently than other types of blinds that are horizontal. These have long vanes that are hung individually at the top of the window frame or door frame, and they hang down to the bottom of the glass. These types of blinds are the easiest to clean overall. Dirt and Dust naturally settles on horizontal surfaces easily, but it doesn’t get on vertical blinds very easily, making them the easiest type of blinds to keep clean.
The two main types of materials that vertical blinds are made of are PVC and fabric. PVC has the lowest maintenance necessary. You can merely close the vanes and use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment on PVC blinds while cleaning from the top to the bottom of them. Do the front-side first and then the back side. For fabric vanes, you can use a feather duster and follow the same steps. To remove a sticky residue, they can be wiped with a clean, damp cloth.
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are also easy to maintain. They are made of fabrics that range from waterproof, fire-resistant, blackout fabrics and thermal fabrics. The lighter types of fabrics, such a silk, are a bit more difficult to maintain than roller blinds made of thicker fabrics.
Start in a process for most roller blinds is quite simple. You close them and vacuum them with a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment from top to bottom with a brush attachment on both sides. If there is something splashed on them and your fabric is heavier, you can dampen a microfiber cloth to spot clean them. If your fabric is not washable, you should have them professionally cleaned for you.
Faux Wood, Aluminum and Venetian Blinds
These three types of easy to clean blinds are cleaned in the same manner, which isn’t hard, but it is more time-consuming because you need to wipe down each individual horizontal vane. These types of materials won’t be harmed if they get a bit wet, which is not the case with real wood blinds.
Clean your Venetian blinds by dusting each horizontal vane with a microfiber cloth or feather duster. For stains or sticky residues on these blinds, vacuum them first and then clean them with a clean damp cloth. Leave the vanes open to air dry. If you leave your vanes slightly tilted instead of all the way open, less dust, pollen and debris will build up on the vanes.
Hardwood Venetian Blinds
With real wood, you don’t want to get them wet, or they can bend, bow, break or discolor. Wood has small pores in it that absorb moisture and then when the moisture dries it contracts to cause warping and bending.
Vacuum each with your brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner, or you may use a feather duster. For stains, you can wet a clean cloth and wring it out almost completely dry to spot clean areas. Make sure to towel dry the areas afterward. Never use cleaning sprays or liquids on hardwood blinds unless it states specifically on the container that it is safe.
Tips for Cleaning Your Blinds
If you are using a microfiber or other type of cloth of some sort to clean your blinds, use one that is clean and don’t reuse one again because it could have dust or dirt on it that you can’t actually see to make your blinds dirtier, or it could damage them.
Use soft materials such as feather dusters, microfiber cloths and 100% cotton cloths or old, clean t-shirts so as not to scratch your blinds.
If you must use a damp solution, opt for soap and warm water with a tiny bit of mild dish soap, and never use cleaners on them. Other household items can discolor your blinds or cause damage to them.
When cleaning blinds, always work in the direction of the wood grain or the weave of the fabric for the best results.
If you choose fabric blinds for your home, whether they are horizontal or vertical, ask about an anti-static fabric such as rayon or cotton because they attract fewer particles of dust and debris.
All types of blinds are not that difficult to keep clean and looking pristine. Clean blinds will also last longer, so it’s not only to make them sparkle, but this lengthens the duration of your blinds.
At The Blind Broker of St. Louis, we carry a full line of all types of blinds and other window coverings, such as cellular shades and roller shades, for your consideration. We can help you choose the easiest window treatments to maintain and keep clean in a beautiful style to fit all your needs as well.
Contact us for a FREE in-home consultation with a designer so we can design and create something wonderful for you!
