How to clean vertical blinds

How to Clean Vertical Blinds

No one likes to see grime, dust, and dirt build-up on window blinds over time, but it happens so quickly. The good news is that vertical blinds are fairly easy to clean. Here is a simple guide on how to clean vertical blinds.

Getting Started

Check the care label before you start cleaning. Your blinds may have care instructions that are suitable your the specific blinds you have fitted in your home. If this is the case, follows these instructions otherwise you may risk damaging your blinds.
Generally, a mild, all-purpose detergent works well for washing blinds with vertical slats. Wooden blinds, on the other hand, should never get wet. They are too delicate for water, and exposure to moisture can cause them to warp or crack.

Cleaning Vertical Blinds 101

Vertical blinds are a popular choice of window coverings. People love the versatility they offer and how they can customize them to fit their space. They're also quite easy to remove and clean, making them ideal for anyone with limited DIY skills.

Here are some tips on how to clean vertical blinds:

  • Remove the Vertical Slats From Your Windows and Clean Your Headrails

    Vertical blinds often collect dust and debris, which can cause them to look dirty. The headrail is a prime area for this, so start by removing the vertical blinds from the rail to improve access for cleaning (for most blinds, each slat can be unclipped from the top headrail and bottom stabilising chain for easy removal). Once the slats are removed, brush away any dust or dirt from the headrail itself with a soft brush (use a toothbrush for small crevices), then wipe with a damp microfibre cloth. Looking for microfibre cloths? Check out our range of cloths and dusters in our house cleaning products or janitor supplies.
  • Dust Those Blinds

    Start by removing any dust from the blind slats. To remove dust and debris, attach a brush to your vacuum cleaner, run it over each slat from top to bottom on both sides. Next, take a dry microfibre cloth to wipe away any remaining dust. Microfibre cloths are made of very fine strands of synthetic fibre, so they're great for trapping and removing dust particles (they can even remove bacteria!)
  • Wash Your Window Blinds in Warm, Sudsy Water

    Now that all the dust has been removed from your blinds, it’s time to wash them. For this, you'll want to place them in a bathtub of warm water with a mild cleaning detergent to remove dust, grime, and other dirt. Sponge away any stubborn stains and then rinse each slat with clean water.
    If you're lucky, your blinds may be machine-washable. Before starting this stage check the care instructions for your blinds as you may be able to save yourself quite a bit of time! We'd generally recommend washing on a 30°C cycle as it's both gentler and it uses less electricity (helping both the planet and your savings!) To protect your blinds in the wash, place them inside a large pillowcase in the washing machine to prevent fraying from the slat coming into contact with the metal drum.
  • Dry Your Blinds Blinds

    After cleaning your blinds, it's just as important that you dry them fully. Hang each slat outside on the washing line from the clip that attached to the headrail (it's best to clean blinds during summer on a dry, clear day). If you reattach blinds whilst they're wet, you can cause additional condensation on your windows that can even lead to mould growth on any additional moisture.
    Top tip: If you need your blinds drying quickly, use a hair-dryer on the cool setting to dry each slat. Please note, do not put your blinds in the tumble-drier. The heat can do serious damage.
  • Hang the Blinds Back on the Headrail

    Once the slats are completely dry, rehang them on the headrail, taking care when clipping the louvres back into place. Soon you’ll have your slats back in place and your blinds will be looking refreshed. Now they’re clean you can keep a regular dusting schedule to keep them looking as great as possible.

Stay Connected

Want to hear more from The Cleaning Collective? Sign up to our mailing list for the latest offers and news

House from outside with vertical blinds

FAQs About Vertical Blind Cleaning

Cleaning your window blinds is something you can do with the right tools, minimal cleaning products, and a little time. Here are our answers to frequently asked questions about cleaning vertical blinds.

How Often Should You Clean Your Blinds?

Dusting is the most basic maintenance step you should take for your blinds. Dusting will prevent dirt from building up on the surface of the fabric that causes it to become dull and marked. We recommend running a vacuum over each slat weekly.

Your blinds will need to be removed for a deep clean less frequently. We'd recommend doing this as and when they are looking a little dull, estimated to be around once per year.

How Do I Remove Mould and Mildew From Blinds?

Mould and mildew grows very easily on blinds as often the material is porous and window areas are common locations for damp. To clean mould and mildew from blinds, it's important that you kill the fungus (both mould and mildew are living fungi they will continue to spread if not eliminated). Chlorine, like that found in swimming pools, is ideal for this, although test on an inconsicuous area of your blind first. If you're looking for cleaning products for the toughest tasks, view our range of business cleaning chemicals that are manufacturered for professional use.

How Can You Clean Vertical Blinds While They Are Still in Place?

Taking down your blinds to clean them does mean you can tackle the hidden areas. However, that doesn’t work if you don’t have the time or an easy way to wash and dry them. But there is an alternative: take a tip from professional cleaners and use a mild detergent solution to spot clean them instead, although we'd always recommend removing the slats for the most thorough deep clean.

Now that you know how to clean vertical blinds, what are you waiting for? Get started right away!

The Cleaning Blog

Want to learn more about cleaning? From the latest cleaning and hygiene news to handy how-to guides, why not check out our most popular blog categories.
 
Product Guru
Find a Solution