How to Clean Vertical Blinds

No one likes to see grime, dust, and dirt build-up on window blinds over time, but it happens so quickly. The good news is that vertical blinds are fairly easy to clean. Here is a simple guide on how to clean vertical blinds.

Getting Started

Check the care label before you start cleaning. Your blinds may have care instructions that are suitable your the specific blinds you have fitted in your home. If this is the case, follows these instructions otherwise you may risk damaging your blinds.
Generally, a mild, all-purpose detergent works well for washing blinds with vertical slats. Wooden blinds, on the other hand, should never get wet. They are too delicate for water, and exposure to moisture can cause them to warp or crack.

Cleaning Vertical Blinds 101

Vertical blinds are a popular choice of window coverings. People love the versatility they offer and how they can customize them to fit their space. They're also quite easy to remove and clean, making them ideal for anyone with limited DIY skills.

Here are some tips on how to clean vertical blinds:

• Remove the Vertical Slats From Your Windows and Clean Your Headrails

  Vertical blinds often collect dust and debris, which can cause them to look dirty. The headrail is a prime area for this, so start by removing the vertical blinds from the rail to improve access for cleaning (for most blinds, each slat can be unclipped from the top headrail and bottom stabilising chain for easy removal). Once the slats are removed, brush away any dust or dirt from the headrail itself with a soft brush (use a toothbrush for small crevices), then wipe with a damp microfibre cloth. Looking for microfibre cloths? Check out our range of cloths and dusters in our house cleaning products or janitor supplies.

• Dust Those Blinds

  Start by removing any dust from the blind slats. To remove dust and debris, attach a brush to your vacuum cleaner, run it over each slat from top to bottom on both sides. Next, take a dry microfibre cloth to wipe away any remaining dust. Microfibre cloths are made of very fine strands of synthetic fibre, so they're great for trapping and removing dust particles (they can even remove bacteria!)

• Wash Your Window Blinds in Warm, Sudsy Water

  Now that all the dust has been removed from your blinds, it’s time to wash them. For this, you'll want to place them in a bathtub of warm water with a mild cleaning detergent to remove dust, grime, and other dirt. Sponge away any stubborn stains and then rinse each slat with clean water.
  If you're lucky, your blinds may be machine-washable. Before starting this stage check the care instructions for your blinds as you may be able to save yourself quite a bit of time! We'd generally recommend washing on a 30°C cycle as it's both gentler and it uses less electricity (helping both the planet and your savings!) To protect your blinds in the wash, place them inside a large pillowcase in the washing machine to prevent fraying from the slat coming into contact with the metal drum.

• Dry Your Blinds Blinds

  After cleaning your blinds, it's just as important that you dry them fully. Hang each slat outside on the washing line from the clip that attached to the headrail (it's best to clean blinds during summer on a dry, clear day). If you reattach blinds whilst they're wet, you can cause additional condensation on your windows that can even lead to mould growth on any additional moisture.
  Top tip: If you need your blinds drying quickly, use a hair-dryer on the cool setting to dry each slat. Please note, do not put your blinds in the tumble-drier. The heat can do serious damage.

• Hang the Blinds Back on the Headrail

  Once the slats are completely dry, rehang them on the headrail, taking care when clipping the louvres back into place. Soon you’ll have your slats back in place and your blinds will be looking refreshed. Now they’re clean you can keep a regular dusting schedule to keep them looking as great as possible.