Just like with our windows, window blinds should also be cleaned regularly. This way, it will still look good and new for a long time. Unfortunately, some people do not even bother to clean their blinds. They thought that it was not necessary as blinds can be replaceable.

However, if you know how to take care of it properly, the chances are that you will never have to replace it with a new one every time, which can save you a lot of money. Blinds can be expensive depending on the design, type and material used, so you should maintain them properly by following these steps:

Collect All the Necessary Tools

When cleaning a blind, you will need some tools to help you carry out the maintenance. Therefore, the first thing you must do if you plan to clean your blinds is to gather all the tools you will need. Here is the list of things that you will need in the cleaning process.

For Wood Blinds

• Wood cleaner
• Wood conditioner for wood blinds
• Bowl or small bucket
• Cloths preferably microfiber
• Vacuum cleaner

Faux-Wood Blinds

• Wood Cleaner (Optional)
• Vinegar
• Warm Water
• Baking Soda
• Microfiber cloth
• Vacuum
• Bowl or Small bucket
• Fabric Softener sheets

Aluminium Blinds

• Dishwashing soap
• Warm water
• Old socks
• Microfiber cloth
• Bucket
• Vinegar (Optional)

Vinyl Blinds

• Dishwashing soap
• Warm water
• Bucket
• Microfiber cloth

Fabric Blinds

• A vacuum cleaner with a dust brush
• Blow dryer
• Microfiber cloth
• Fabric detergent

Once you have gathered all of these things, you can now start cleaning your blinds. There are different approaches to cleaning depending on the type of blinds you have. Follow the cleaning steps below for each type of window blinds.

Remove Dust

Whatever type of blinds you have at home, removing the dust should always be the first step in cleaning it. Close the blinds if they can be closed and wipe them with the microfiber cloth from top to bottom. Next, make sure that you get rid of all the dust on the blinds.

Wipe your blinds according to how they can be closed or tilted, as not all blinds can be completely closed. As long as you can remove all the dust hanging around each slat of your blinds, then all is good.

For vertical blinds, it is best to hold each slat as you wipe the dust off. This will stabilize the slat, and you can be assured that all the dust in it will be removed appropriately. Work your way from the top of the vertical blinds to its bottom.

It would be best if you also remembered to wipe each slat in a downward motion. If you wipe it the other way, the slats might get unhooked. You can also use the vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust on the blinds themselves and from their surroundings. Once you are done with one side, flip the blinds and repeat the cleaning process.

Deep Clean if Needed

If your blinds are heavily soiled, wiping microfiber cloth or vacuuming it will not do the trick. It is why you must deep clean your blinds if it is heavily soiled, exposed to grease or residue. Some blinds can also have stubborn dust that a simple wiping will not remove.

Here are the different deep cleaning methods for each type of blinds that you must observe.

Wood Blinds

Wood blinds can be cleaned by using a wood cleaner. Make sure to read the instructions for the wood cleaner to ensure that you will use it properly. Most wood cleaners are concentrated, which means that you will need to dilute them with water.

You can dilute the cleaning solution on the bowl for easy mixing and usage. Once the cleaner is appropriately diluted, dip the microfiber cloth on it and slowly wipe it on each slat of the wood blinds. Wring the cloth so that it will not drip. It should only be damp and not wet when you wipe it on the wood blinds.

It is best to close the blinds before starting wiping them. Start at the top, wiping from left to right until you reach the bottom of the blinds. Then, repeat the process on the other side of the blinds. With all the dust removed earlier, wiping the wood blinds with the cleaner should be easy.

Once you have cleaned the wood blinds on both sides and are satisfied with how clean it is, it is time to apply the wood conditioner. A wood conditioner will help make your wood blinds look sheen. Wood blinds can fade over time which makes them look dull. However, if you apply wood conditioner after cleaning, you can preserve its beauty and shine for a long time.

Faux-wood Blinds

If you own faux-wood blinds, you must know that it is not the same material as the wood blinds. From the name itself, faux-wood blinds are not real wood. Therefore, you can have another method when it comes to cleaning it.

You can as well use a wood cleaner for this, but it is not necessary. Instead, you can dilute white vinegar with a small amount of warm water with baking soda and use it as the cleaning agent for faux-wood blinds.

Dip your microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and wring it until it is not dripping wet. Next, wipe the cloth across each slat, starting from the top to the bottom. Repeat the process on the other side of the blinds.

Once the blinds are thoroughly cleaned, wipe each slat with a fabric softener sheet. This is the alternative for the wood conditioner. Since faux wood is not actual wood, a wood conditioner is deemed unnecessary to use. Additionally, fabric softener sheets will prevent dust from clinging to the blinds for a few months.

Aluminium Blinds

Aluminium blinds also need deep cleaning now and then. Because of its material, deep cleaning aluminium blinds can be pretty straightforward. On a bucket, pour warm water and a small amount of dish soap, then mix them well.

Slip your hand into the sock and dip it on the bucket filled with warm soapy water. Wring out the excess water to avoid dripping. Start at the top slat and insert your hand sliding your fingers through each slat to clean it.

Wash off any dirt on the sock and repeat the process. Let the blinds dry. Some even use a mixture of vinegar and warm water to clean aluminium. The vinegar cleaning solution is best for tarnished aluminium blinds.

Vinyl Blinds

For vinyl blinds, a simple mixture of dish soap and warm water can suffice. First, dip the microfiber cloth into the warm soapy water and wipe it across each slat. After wiping each slat of soapy water, you must gently rinse it.

Use a sponge, dip it in plain water, and wipe it through the slat that you just wiped with soapy water. This can rinse off the soap on the slat, making sure that the vinyl blinds will be cleaned thoroughly.

Repeat the process for each slat from the top of the blinds to the bottom. Let the blinds dry and make sure that it is opened.

Fabric Blinds

Using a vacuum cleaner with a dust brush would be your best option if you have fabric blinds. Set the vacuum cleaner to a low setting to prevent it from damaging the blinds. A blow dryer can also come in handy, especially if your blinds are honeycomb style.

You can use the blow dryer in blowing off bugs and dust away from the cells, rolls or creases of the blinds. If you notice stains on fabric blinds, you can mix water and fabric detergent in a bowl or bucket.

Dip a microfiber cloth on the soap water and blot it over the stain on your fabric blinds. Repeat the process on all the stains you will see. Once done, let the fabric blinds dry thoroughly before folding, rolling or raising them.

If you notice that the fabric blinds are heavily stained and that your efforts will not remove them, then you can bring them to the dry cleaner and let them do the work for you.

Clean the Surroundings

After you clean the blinds and are satisfied with how clean it becomes, it is now time to clean the surrounding area. Vacuum all dust and dirt that falls on the side of the windows and on the floor.

Wipe furniture nearby where dust might stick and vacuum couches and pillows near the area. This should be a must, especially if your blinds are very dusty. After cleaning the surrounding area, enjoy your newly cleaned blinds.

Remember to clean your blinds regularly to avoid dust becoming too heavy. It can also prevent any staining on the blinds. Clean window blinds at least once a month. The more, the better, but never end a month without cleaning it.

Start Cleaning

Now that you already know how to clean blinds according to their material, it would be best if you start trying it. With these tips provided, you can rest assured that your blinds will look clean and look good as new.