With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, why not give your blinds and shades some attention on this lovely holiday? We have some great tips on cleaning various types of blinds and shades so you can ensure that your décor is dust-free before spring cleaning season even starts!
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds can be dusted or vacuumed. The only thing to take note of with vertical blinds is the need to brush downwards. Vertical blind slats can come unhooked if you brush upwards, so maintain the downward motion to ensure your blinds are not only clean, but put together.
Honeycomb/Cellular Shades
These shades are not only energy-efficient, but they are also incredibly easy to clean. “Just use the dusting tool on your vacuum. Give them a once-over on low suction, and you’re done,” says Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliance and Cleaning Products department. If there are any residual stains after dusting, lightly blotting with a sponge, lukewarm water and mild dish detergent can lead to incredibly clean shades.
Wooden and Faux Wood Blinds
The blinds can be wet when removing dirt, but not soaked and should be cleaned in place versus removed. When dusting these blinds, consider how you would treat any other wooden furniture. For example, when dusting use a soft, clean cloth, chemically treated dust cloth or dusting glove. When dusting, it is also important to dust the front of the blinds while they are at full length and almost closed then reverse the slats and dust the other side while holding the bottom rail.
Roman Shades
If you want to clean your Roman shades like an expert, you can use two techniques - the soft dusting brush attachment of a vacuum on low suction or the brush attachment of a handheld vacuum. A cloth dipped in mild suds can be used to rinse and blot dry any pesky stains.
Metal and Vinyl Blinds
This method features some great cleaning tips - laying blinds on a piece of rug or carpet and using a car-washing brush dipped in dishwashing soap and water can be used to clean both sides of the blinds. The side-to-side brushing motion is then followed with a light rinsing while the blinds are tilted. Lastly, run your finger down the slats to prevent water spots.
Roller Shades
Even with the wide range of fabrics and textures available, a light once-over with a vacuum’s soft brush tool and spot cleaning can do the trick. If you have classic vinyl roller shades, you can instead start at the bottom of the shades with a well-wrung cloth or sponge that has been dipped in a mixture of dishwashing detergent and lukewarm water and work your way up with a wiping motion. If that doesn’t get your shades clean, you can wash both sides of your shades in a tub with a soft brush, soap and water. Always air-dry and re-hang roller shades.
Cleaning for All Types of Blinds
There are some cleaning tips that apply to all types of blinds. Using the brush attachment of a vacuum is an easy way to clean blinds and can be done often as long as you move side-to-side versus up and down. You can alternatively use a duster with the same side-to-side motion. Spots can be wiped away with an all-purpose cleaner on a dry cloth. Ultimately, the type of cleaning required depends on the amount of dust - a moist cloth may suffice for some and dry cleaning may be required for others.
Preventing dust and stain accumulation can be easier than expected by looking into what your unique blinds or shades require. Having a vacuum, duster and cloth on-hand is a great way to be prepared for minor cleanings that will give your blinds and shades some much-needed attention and prevent the need for a major spring cleaning.
