Blind To The Dirt? Don’t Be!
If you’ve invested in gorgeous window dressings for your home, you’ll want to keep them looking fresh and new for as long as possible.
The good news about blinds and shutters is that with regular cleaning and maintenance checks, they’ll keep fresh and bright – and in good working order.
Take a look at your blinds or shutters – are the slats dusty? Are your fabric blinds stained? Time for some TLC!
Cleaning fabric blinds
Fabric blinds (Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds, Panel Blinds) come in a wide variety of materials and textures and most are fairly low-maintenance. Using a lint roller regularly will prevent dust build-up. For a more thorough cleaning, vacuum on a low setting with the soft dusting brush attached.
To get rid of any stains, spot-clean with a cloth dampened with a solution of mild detergent and water. Blot gently to avoid damaging the fabric.
However, spot-cleaning may result in a lighter, cleaner spot on the fabric. In that case, you might want to consider giving your blinds a wash! Most can be machine-washed, but double check the care labels before doing so. Make sure to wash the blinds in cold water, using the mildest setting. Also, use a detergent that’s formulated to wash delicate fabrics. Leave the shade fully extended to dry.
For more thorough cleaning, look to see if the blind has a (P) symbol. If it has this symbol it means the blinds are suitable for dry cleaning.
Cleaning aluminium Venetian blinds
When raising or lowering Venetian blinds, ensure the slats are in a horizontal position. Regular light dusting will maintain a like-new appearance of your blinds.
To clean Venetian blinds, wipe each slat from the edge to the centre which prevents dust from accumulating at the cords. Lower the blind to its full length, tilt the slats to an almost closed position and dust. Then reverse tilt the slats and repeat.
Blinds in the kitchen tend to gather a layer of grease. Use a mild solution of washing liquid and warm water to dampen a soft cloth and clean. Let your blinds air-dry.
Avoid using scrubbing cleansers and ammonia-based products on the blinds as they could damage or scratch them. For deep cleaning, vacuum gently with the soft brush attached.
Cleaning wooden and faux wooden Venetian blinds
Keep wooden and faux wooden blinds away from high moisture areas, or rain. When cleaning your windows, spray the window cleaner on a cloth instead of spraying directly on the windows as the cleaning solution may splatter on to the wooden blinds.
Clean the blinds like you would with aluminium venetian blinds. Make sure not to over-saturate the cleaning cloth when cleaning wooden blinds as it may cause the wood to warp.
Cleaning Vertical Blinds
These blinds can be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid using abrasives as they cause scratches or colour fading. The vertical veins of the blind are delicate and can be damaged easily, so handle them gently while cleaning. For a quick pick-me-up between cleanings, use a lint roller to pick up dust.
One quick trick for maintaining your blinds is to use a fabric softening sheet or dry-cleaning sheet after your blinds have been cleaned and fully dried. This will help repel dust and reduce the frequency of cleaning. It also adds a fresh, clean scent to your home!
Cleaning pull cords
One way in which a blind can begin to show its age is when the pull cord begins to take on a grey, slightly dirty appearance.
Some people will replace the whole blind as they find this unsightly but unless you also want to upgrade to a better style, this is an unnecessary waste of a perfectly good blind.
The following is a little trick developed specifically to clean window blinds pull cords.
Step 1: Take a small plastic bag and pour a fifty-fifty mixture of hot water and bleach into it.
Step 2: Very carefully put your pull cord in the bad and submerge it in the bleach solution. It may be easier to do this with someone else’s help as you don’t want to end up pouring bleach and hot water down yourself!
Step 3: Taking great care attempt to twist the top of the bag and use an implement like a clothes-peg, a bull-dog clip, or whatever you may have to hand to securely close the opening in the bag. The priority here is to prevent bleachy water from leaking whilst leaving the cord fully submerged.
Step 4: Wait! Once the bag is fastened in place the only thing left to do is to wait for some time to pass. Ideally it’s best to leave the bleach in place overnight to ensure the correct amount of whitening takes place. The next day, voila, you should find that dirty old blind cord is as good as new.
Ask Direct Blinds
Don’t forget that you can always ask our team for cleaning advice!
Our mission is to provide consumers with quality window coverings. Whatever the style or budget, you can buy with confidence at Direct Blinds. Our business is run by professionals with over 50 combined years in the window blind industry.
For more details call us today on 021 435 4959 or visit our website for more information.
