Cleaning 101: How to Clean Blinds and Shades
It's as easy as 1-2-3!
Let's get real: When's the last time you cleaned your window blinds? Blinds are often forgotten when cleaning, but they can hold dust mites, allergens, and dirt. Don't worry though, we have you covered. Read our guide for simple and quick tips regarding how to clean your blinds and shades.
How to Clean Aluminum, Plastic, Bamboo, and Wood Blinds
What You Will Need
Vacuum
2 microfiber cloths
Liquid dish soap
Natural, mild oil soap (for bamboo)
Bucket
Stepladder
Clothespin
Tip!
Use a clothespin to mark which blind you are cleaning, so if you need to take a break you know where you left off.
Step 1: Lower Blinds
Completely lower your blinds so they are fully extended. Make sure they are tilted closed, but not completely closed as they will overlap each other.
Step 2: Vacuum Dust
Working from top to bottom, take your vacuum attachment brush and vacuum from left to right for horizontal blinds, and from top to bottom for vertical blinds. Do not vacuum vertical blinds from bottom to top or you may unhook the blind. Working from top to bottom also allows dust to fall down onto the sill which can be vacuumed up after. Tilt the blinds the opposite way and repeat this process.
Step 3: Wash
Fill a bucket with warm water and add three drops of liquid dish soap. For bamboo blinds, use a mild oil soap that is safe to use on wood. Take your microfiber cloth, dunk it into the water, and wring it out so it’s damp. Wrap it around your hand and wipe the blinds one slat at a time.
Step 4: Spot Treat Stains
If you have hard stains, like grease, on your blinds, you can either add one tablespoon of baking soda into your soapy water, or make a solution using one cup of vinegar and one cup of water. Dip the microfiber cloth into the solution and then blot the stain.
Step 5: Dry
Using your second dry microfiber cloth, run it over the slats to pick up any excess moisture.
How to Clean Fabric Blinds
What You Will Need
Vacuum
Microfiber cloth
Dry cleaner spot treatment spray
Stepladder
The best way to clean fabric blinds is to vacuum them regularly. If you have vertical blinds, use a lint roller to pick up dust or pet hairs. In the case that your blinds have stains, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Spray
Take a dry microfiber cloth and spray a dry cleaner’s spot treatment onto the cloth.
Step 2: Blot
Then blot the stain with the dampened cloth until it has disappeared. Before doing this, spot-test a less visible part of the blinds to make sure the spot remover will not remove the fabric dye.
Step 3: Dry
Using your second dry microfiber cloth, run it over the slats to pick up any excess moisture.
If your blinds are non-washable, it may require dry cleaning. Silk, wool, linen, and fiberglass-blend roman shades should be dry cleaned.
Tip!
If you want a time-saving solution for non-wood or fabric blinds, take down each set of blinds and soak them in the bathtub with a little bit of dish soap. Use a soft sponge or cloth to go over both sides of the slates to remove any dirt. Drain the tub and refill it with clean water to rinse the blinds. Lay the blinds on top of a few bath towels to soak up water. Then hang them back up.
How to Clean Cellular/Honeycomb Shades
What You Will Need
Vacuum
Feather duster
Hair dryer
2 microfiber cloths
Bucket
Liquid dish soap
Stepladder
Step 1: Remove Dust
Use a hair dryer (on the cool setting) to blow the dust out of the cells (be sure to vacuum anything that fell to the ground!). Use a feather duster, hair dryer (on a cool setting), or your vacuum brush attachment to dust the front and back of your shades.
If your shade has a track, vacuum the track to get rid of any dead bugs or dust. Then fill a bucket with water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth in the water and wipe the track clean.
Step 2: Clean Stains
If you have stains on your shades, take a microfiber cloth and dip it into a bucket of cold water that has three drops of liquid dish soap. Then wring out the cloth and blot the stain gently. Do not use warm water, stain remover, or bleach as they will harm the fabric. Do not rub the stain either. Blot the spot dry with another clean cloth.
Please note: cellular/honeycomb shades should not be dry cleaned.
How to Clean Cords
For dirty or stained cords, take a stain remover spray and spray on the cords. Let it sit for a few minutes then wipe the solution off with a damp cloth.
