Cleaning of horizontal and vertical blinds 

Blinds are present in most homes and offices. We need to clean them no less than the rest of the furniture. Manufacturers are constantly improving products to prevent dust accumulation and make our lives easier in homes with blinds. Still, we must not forget that they are on the window and before entering, the dust first reaches them. 

There are different types of blinds on the market, made of other materials, and there is no universal way to clean them. However, this simple tip will help us keep our home clean: Cleaning the blinds regularly is the most important thing! 

Over time, blinds inevitably get dirty, but if we regularly dust them, it will be far easier than washing blinds with layered dirt. 

Care for horizontal blinds 

Caring for horizontal aluminium blinds is quite simple: it is enough to periodically wipe the dust from the slats with a soft cloth and do it regularly so that they are not too dirty and the layer of dust is not “cemented”. 

Once a month, we wipe the blinds with a damp cloth or a special sponge. Close them, so the slats look down and carefully wipe, moving the towel in one direction so as not to bend them. Then turn the slats in the opposite direction – to the closed position up and repeat the procedure. You must remove the blinds if more serious cleaning or washing is required. It is always essential, absolutely always, to remove dust first with a dry cloth, soft brush or a special vacuum cleaner attachment and at very low suction power. 

Then we carefully remove the blinds from the windows. The procedure from now on depends on the degree of contamination. Not very dirty blinds are enough to rinse with running warm water for 5 – 10 minutes. 

If we regularly take care of their cleanliness, washing the blinds is necessary no more than once a year. You should wash heavily soiled blinds or those in the kitchen, dusty or smoky rooms more thoroughly. Soak the blinds in warm water and detergent in a bathtub for 25-35 minutes. Then carefully wash them with a sponge, rinse vigorously with running water and wipe with a dry cloth. Only this way will the blinds shine with purity, and you can put them back on the windows. 

Horizontal blinds made of natural materials, such as bamboo or palm wood blinds, cannot be washed. If we want to keep them clean and have them longer, we must take proper care of them. 

Wooden horizontal blinds 

Regular dusting is not only necessary here but also mandatory. It is better not to wash the blinds with detergents, as they can damage or change their colour. In case of more severe pollution, we should use wood detergent. Cleaning wooden blinds with running water and soaking them in water is prohibited. 

Care for vertical blinds 

Vertical blinds are standard in homes because they look beautiful and comfortable in any room. They do not reflect light and are practical, but the fabric absorbs dust, bacteria, grease, etc., over time. Therefore, we must regularly clean the blinds with a vacuum cleaner (using a special nozzle) and a soft brush or roller to clean textiles. This way, the dirt will not stick so much to the fabric. 

If thorough cleaning is required, it is best to use warm water, a soft brush and non-aggressive detergent. 

Cleaning of vertical blinds 

The procedure for washing the fabric is as follows:

• Carefully remove the chain and weights from the lower end of the textile strips.
• Remove any threads from the rail.
• Pour warm water.
• Add detergent (gel or washing powder) to the bath of water.
• Leave the textile strips in water for about 30 minutes.
• Rinse the individual slats.

If you do not have a bath, place the textile strips on the floor in the bathroom, wet them with warm water, in which we have dissolved detergent and clean the strips with a soft brush, then rinse, drain and wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. 

Vertical blinds are NOT machine washable or ironed! 

Cleaning roller blinds 

Roller blinds are elegant window coverings that fit into almost any decor. The cleaning methods largely depend on how dirty the blinds are. The most important thing to keep the blinds clean is regular cleaning. Systematic removal of dust prevents it from penetrating the fabric. 

We must regularly wipe the blind mechanism or cassette with a dry or slightly damp cloth and clean the fabric with a vacuum cleaner set to the lowest suction power with a special brush-shaped nozzle. We can also use a clothes roller to remove dust. If the blind is dirtier or stained, use a sponge or towel moistened with warm water and a non-aggressive detergent. We should not rub the blinds too hard or use aggressive detergents to avoid stains and discolouration of the material. And so – a damp cloth with movement in one direction. Then remove the remaining detergent from the fabric with a clean sponge or cloth and leave the blind open until completely dry. Roller blinds are not machine washable or ironed! 

For light stains, we can also use ordinary school rubber. It is also worth checking the material in an invisible place before using detergent to see if it discolours the fabric. The blinds are most convenient to clean on a sunny day because all the stains and dirt are best seen. 

General rules we must follow to have blinds with perfect vision for a long time: 

• Clean the dust from the blinds regularly to not build up over time. 

• Always clean the dust before wet cleaning to avoid staining. 

• The blinds are cleaned mechanically – low power vacuum cleaner with a brush or roller tip for cleaning clothes, soft cloth or sponge, and for wet cleaning, a solution of lukewarm water and non-aggressive detergent. 

• Textile polyester blinds are not machine washable or ironed. 

• In summer, when it is much easier to get the blinds dirty through open windows, they are cleaned more often. 

• It is good to choose a sunny day to clean the blinds when the light allows us to notice even the lightest dirt so they do not get bigger until the next cleaning. 

Here are ten questions every housewife has asked herself at least once while trying to clean the house. Here is the solution to the most common cleaning problems:

Which is good to do first – dust removal or vacuuming?

Always remove the layered dust from the furniture first. This way, once you start vacuuming, you can effectively remove dust you have not noticed.

Is a wet or dry cloth better for dusting?

A damp cloth is the better solution, as it reduces static electricity and captures dust without spreading it around.

Cleaning with antibacterial wipes or with detergent and a towel?

The ideal option is to use a reusable spray and towel. On the one hand, disposable wipes are not environmentally friendly and are not as effective as detergents with a more concentrated content of cleaning ingredients. We recommend that you use disposable wipes only as a last resort.

What is the easiest way to remove pet hair?

If the hair is minimal, use damp rubber gloves to collect them. Then, pour water on the tap to remove the hairs from the gloves so that you will remove them more easily. If your pet sheds more hair when vacuuming, change the tips according to the surface type to make hair collection as efficient as possible.

What should I do if the vacuum cleaner does not want to suck?

If your vacuum cleaner does not suck well, the reasons may be that you need to replace the filters, the bag is overfilled, or the vacuum hose is clogged. If the problem is not one of the above, take the appliance to a workshop.

How can I clean laminate and wooden floors most efficiently?

This type of flooring should be swept and wiped with a damp cloth. As you know, the wood should not get wet and swell. To remove stubborn stains and scratches, use a solution of water and vinegar. We recommend polishing it with wax for 2-3 months to prolong the flooring life.

How to remove shoe prints on the floor?

To prevent scratches, use baking soda and a damp cloth.

Why are gloves so important when cleaning?

People usually neglect rubber gloves in the household, but they are much more important than you think. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Rubber gloves will keep your skin younger and fresher.
   Preparations and constant soaking of hands in water and boiling water are incredibly harmful to the skin. It becomes dry, scaly, and red and generally loses its elasticity. Even if you put cream on your hands every time after washing dishes, windows, bathrooms, etc., you will still be unable to maintain your skin’s health.
2. Rubber gloves protect you from germs.
   When you clean the toilet, unclog drains, fight mould in the bathroom, and clean the trash can and other nasty things, gloves are priceless. They protect you from all possible bacteria and dirt on your skin or under your nails. And if you are reluctant, performing such cleaning activities is probably unthinkable without gloves.
3. Gloves protect you from aggressive detergents.
   If you work with bleach, acids and other strong detergents that can cause an allergic reaction or even burns if they get on your skin, gloves are more than necessary.
4. You can throw away your gloves after work.
   Reusable gloves and thinner disposable ones are very convenient if you will clean filthy places. After the whole process, you can throw them away without cleaning the gloves yourself.
5. Rubber gloves will protect you from calluses.
   After an active day, cleaning the bathroom, sweeping, plucking, and wiping will not be a surprise if you have calluses on your hands. However, the use of gloves can solve this problem. They will protect your skin from friction and, at the same time, improve traction, making it easier to work with all cleaning tools without slipping.

How to clean glass lampshades?

Lamps in every home are one of the elements that most often collect dust and dirt. Lighting fixtures complete the environment by spreading light evenly. Glass, metal and plastic lampshades you can safely clean with water. If they are removable, wash them by soaking them in a solution of soap and water or dishwashing detergent. The water temperature should never be too high to avoid glass cracking or plastic or metal deformation.
If you cannot remove them from the structure, you can clean the surface with a cloth soaked in water and a degreaser.

How can I freshen up the house in 5 minutes?

On the longest and busiest days, each homeowner can take five minutes to freshen up and tidy up a specific part of ​​the home area. You will be surprised how much a room can change in a minimum of time. 5-minute tidying is an excellent habit to incorporate into your daily routine because it’s a quick way to tidy up the rooms in your home, especially the ones you spend the most time in.

During the day, pull out every curtain and blind and allow natural sunlight to enter your home. It may seem that this will accentuate the not-so-clean floor or messy things, but the daylight will immediately work on your state of mind and cause all that to appear more appealing.

If you have a couple of additional minutes, quickly clean the windows to let in more light. In the evening, do the opposite. Turn off the lights and leave only the table lamps and lighted candles on, which create a far softer and more soothing light.

You can spray your favourite air freshener or light a scented candle all over the room. The room’s scent will give it a more cosy and clean look, no matter your preferences.

Did you know that the human sense of smell is related to our vision so that a room that smells nice and fresh magically looks cleaner and tidier? It is a powerful illusion that is worth taking advantage of.

You need a domestic cleaner. It is an emergency – the in-laws are coming for Christmas and you have been binge watching Suits on Netflix instead of vacuuming and dusting on weekends. What do you do? Panic starts to set in.

OK. I’ve been there and the feeling is not nice. House cleaning is something that needs to be done regularly (ideally weekly). But how can you come on top of the obstacle that has rung in at the last minute last night to announce a rather sooner than anticipated arrival?

You need a professional home cleaning company. End of. I do not underestimate your unbelievable mopping and wiping skills but this job is better left to the pros. When time is of the essence money starts to lose its value. Or would you rather face the wrath of your mother in-law.

Here is a quick plan that has helped many a Netflix-head to avoid sudden danger:

1. Google is king and your best friend right now. Type “same day domestic cleaning London” (if you, like me, share a passion for living in the capital) or “short notice domestic cleaning London”.
2. Give the top 3 companies in the organic search results a call. Don’t bother with the paid results – companies that appear at the top of the organic search results are 9 out of 10 good reputable businesses.
3. Call them. You haven’t got time for exchanging messages.
4. Trust your gut feeling. If the deal is too good to be true, then it is just that – too good to be true. Emergency cleans are not cheap and secondly good things cost good money. Cleaning is no exception. Don’t fall for the cheap stuff. Cutting corners in the face of imminent danger is the last thing you want to do.
5. Get the quote and date of arrival confirmed in writing. Look for Guaranteed service. In most cases the cleaning company will request pre-payment due to the urgency of the job. Do not worry but make sure you pay with a card that says Visa or Mastercard on it.

That’s it. Done.

Now relax and enjoy some last minute Harvey Specter handsomeness on Netflix.