When cleaning your home, you take the time to clean your windows- but when was the last time you cleaned your window blind?
Unfortunately, this is one of the tasks that is often neglected. This means that things like dust, dander, dead skin cells, and more end up collecting on them and you end up with that ick factor one day when you’re opening them. The good news is that cleaning window blinds isn’t that difficult- it’s as simple as knowing the type of material they are made of. Most are wood or plastic.
When you’re cleaning, if you notice that your blinds are damaged and need to be replaced, contact Made 4 U Shades, Blinds, & Shutters. We are located in Murphy, North Carolina and new specialize in a variety of window treatments. We will come to you and will work with you until you are 100% satisfied.
In this article, we’ll explain the process of simple cleaning and deep cleaning of your window blinds.
Standard Tools for Cleaning Window Blinds
Honestly, there really is no standard “best practice” when it comes to cleaning blinds. The techniques and tools will depend on how dirty they are and the type of blinds you have.
No matter what, you’ll want to have the following tools available:
- A vacuum cleaner with an attachment
- Microfiber cloth or mini blind duster
Simple Cleaning
You will find that most of the buildup on your window blinds is dust accumulation. Since dust and water make a mess, it’s best to start with dry cleaning.
Microfiber Mini Blind Duster
Leave blinds open. Start at the top and run the duster along them. By starting at the top, you can make sure to clean any dust that falls as you work your way down. Once you’ve gotten to the bottom, use your vacuum to remove any dust that has fallen onto the windowsill.
Microfiber cloth
Close the blinds so the concave side faces you. Start at the top and wipe away the dust as you work your way down. Again, starting at the top ensures that you clean up any dust that falls as you continue moving down.
Then, turn the blinds so that the convex side faces you. Repeat the cleaning process- start at the top and work your way down.
Finally, use your vacuum to remove any dust that has fallen into the windowsill.
This method works well if your blinds are slightly dusty. If they are heavily soiled, you’ll need to do a bit more.
Deep Cleaning
If your window blinds are especially dirty, you’ll need to do more than simply dust them as outlined above. That being said, the technique you use will depend on whether you have plastic or wooden blinds.
Cleaning Plastic Blinds
First of all, you’ll want to remove the surface dust by following the above instructions. The next thing you’ll need to do is fill your bathtub with warm water and take the blinds down from the window. Place them in the water and allow them to soak for about an hour.
Then, you’ll take the blinds out of the tub and use a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining dust/dirt. Wipe them dry or hang them outdoors to air dry before hanging them back up in the window.
Don’t forget to clean out your bathtub afterward.
Cleaning Wooden Blinds
Again, you’ll start with the simple cleaning instructions above to remove as much dust/dirt as possible. Then, use your vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove as much dust/dirt as you can. Finally, use a cleaner and microfiber cloth to wipe down both sides of the blinds.
Keeping Your Window Blinds Clean
As you can see, cleaning window blinds is fairly easy. However, it’s important to note that dust/dirt tends to pile up quickly- just like it does on the other surfaces in your home. You should take some time to clean them every few weeks. If you are in or near Murphy, North Carolina, and you’re ready to upgrade or replace your window treatments, contact Made 4 U Shades, Blinds, & Shutters. We will come to your home or office and work with you until you are 100% satisfied.
