How to Clean Venetian Blinds

Getting Rid of Light Stains on Blinds

Getting rid of stains on blinds is very different to removing dust build up. Moreover, there is not one quick fix for removing stains, but rather the process depends on the material the blinds are made from.

Plastic and Metal Blinds

To get rid of stains on plastic or metal blinds you will need a cloth, a bucket, a measuring jug, concentrated disinfectant (such as Jelly Belly) and some water.

First, fill a bucket with warm water. Then add two capfuls of concentrated disinfectant to the bucket to create a mild cleaning agent. This should be a suitable amount of concentrated disinfectant to get the job done, and what's more is that concentrated disinfectant can also kill bacteria too!

You will then need to wet a microfibre cloth or mitt in the bucket and wring it out thoroughly. The aim is to dampen the cloth and not drench it. Once damp, wipe the slat from one side to another, taking care not to introduce too much water to the slats. Be careful when applying pressure on the slats, as if you squeeze too hard they can "pop" out of shape and you risk leaving a crease. Rinse the cloth out in the warm soapy water every few slats, or between every slat if the blinds are heavily soiled.

Remember to start from the top of the blinds and work down, and for those really hard to reach places, use cotton buds that have been dipped in the cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime.

Once you have wiped down all the slats with a damp cloth, use a completely dry cloth to ensure they have been completely dried and the stain removed.

Wooden Slats

Unlike plastic or metal blinds, wooden blinds hate water, so you need to clean the blinds carefully. Rather than using warm, soapy water you should use a product specifically designed for wood, like furniture cleaner. Furthermore, whatever cloth you plan on using, make sure that it is non-abrasive to avoid permanent scratches to the slats.

If you have no option but to use water to clean your wooden Venetian blinds, follow the same steps as with plastic or metal blinds. However, rather than waiting until you have wiped down all the slats with a damp cloth to use a dry cloth to dry them, dry each wooden slat after you wipe it with a damp cloth. And there you have it, you should hopefully now know how to clean Venetian blinds!