Like all household furnishings, it is essential to clear and maintain window blinds at regular intervals to keep them in good working condition. There is a variety of window blinds and they are made of different types of materials. The type of material used to make the blind will determine how it should be cleaned.
- Window blinds made of aluminum are easy to clean because of their smooth surface. The tools used to clean aluminum blinds are dust cloths that have been chemically treated, vacuum cleaner brushes, soft and feather dusters. While dusting aluminum blinds, make sure you tilt the slats up and then use a vacuum brush or cloth to clean it from side to side along the direction of the slats. You should use a mild detergent and a moist cloth (dipped in warm water) when washing the blinds. You can also remove the blinds from the window and immerse it in a tub of soap water. The blinds should then be rinse and wiped to dry.
- For blinds made of vinyl, always use a soft clean cloth or a vacuum cleaner brush for dusting. If there are spots or stains on the vinyl blinds, dip a sponge in bucket of warm water with a mild detergent. Rub the stains off the blinds using the sponge. After this, blot the blinds dry. To clean vinyl louvers, immerse it in warm water.
- Never clean wooden blinds using water. For cleaning wooden blinds use vacuum cleaners with round thin brush accessories, dust cloth or dusting mitts. You can use a slightly dampened cloth to clean some wooden blinds. If you are using liquid cleaners to clean your blinds, make sure that you read the instruction manual thoroughly before you start. When cleaning your blinds, move from right to left and vice versa. Use downward strokes when cleaning vertical or horizontal wooden blinds. If you are addressing certain spots on the blinds, use a dry dusting cloth. Always use a feather duster or a vacuum brush to clean blinds made of artificial wood or faux. For removing tough stains, use a damp cloth with a mild detergent.
- There are certain blinds, which are made of cloth or fabric. When compared to other blinds. These are more vulnerable to dust settlements. For this reason, fabric blinds should be cleaned frequently and at regular intervals to prevent dust accumulation. Vacuuming or brushing is the best way to clean fabric-based window blinds. Both these methods extend the charm and aesthetic quality of the blinds’ fabric. Vacuuming the blinds regularly will extend the durability of the fabric. You can also clean fabric blinds by immersing it soap water for a short time. This will prevent the color of blind’s fabric from fading. Dry cleaning is another option that can be used to clean fabric blinds and prevent the color of the fabric from fading.
To finish off the cleaning process, wipe the blinds with a sheet of fabric conditioner. This will ensure that the blinds are dust free for a longer period.