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.