Cleaning Guide to Venetian Blinds

If you have Venetian blinds in your home, you know the light control, improved privacy, and timeless style it offers. Many of us forget to maintain a regular cleaning schedule while spending a lot of effort and time choosing the right colours or materials for our window dressings.

We are often unsure how to clean Venetian blinds or unaware of the best way to keep the horizontal slats spick and span.

Today we have put together an insightful guide to teach you how to clean Venetian blinds. There is information on deep cleaning grime or stains build up and tips for regular commercial cleaning procedures.

How to Clean Venetian Blinds

Depending on the type of material used to make your Venetian blinds, the proper cleaning techniques for these types of blinds may vary. You can use a wet cloth and warm water to remove grime build or heavy dirt on aluminium, PVC, synthetic, and other waterproof Venetian blinds.

However, Venetian blinds made out of wood may be damaged by water causing the slats to bend and warp. If you have wooden Venetian blinds, you can use a specifically formulated Venetian blind cleaner designed for wood in particular.

Keep reading to learn more about the best way to clean your Venetian blinds.

Light Regular Cleaning

Dirt and dust can accumulate more easily on Venetian blinds due to the horizontal slats that these blinds contain. Depending on where you live, the amount of time between dustings may vary significantly. 

If you keep the windows open often or live on a busy city street, you may have to clean your Venetian blinds more regularly. An excellent suggestion is that you should give them a light cleaning every time you see your blinds gather some dust. That commonly occurs about once per month or when performing other household cleaning processes.

Start by using an old sock, dry cloth, or feather duster when you begin cleaning. Start at the top and work your way down to the bottom, ensuring each slat is clean. 

Once complete, make sure to tilt the Venetian blind slats 180-degrees and perform a thorough clean on the opposite side.

A vacuum cleaner can also be used to clean both sides of the slats, but it’s best to utilize a cloth or duster to get to those hard to reach places. It’s good to note when using a vacuum that all wands or cords are out of the way so that you don’t cause any damage to the blinds.

Use an upholstery attachment or brush and ensure that the vacuum suction speed is set to low to reduce the risk of damage. If you don’t include the brush attachment while vacuuming, you may scrape the surface of your blind slats. 

Using the methods above, you can be confident that both sides of your blind slats are clean and sanitary.

Cleaning Minor Stains

On rare occasions, your Venetian blinds may develop blemishes. If the blinds are in high traffic rooms like the bathroom or kitchen, you may experience this problem regularly.

Start by identifying the type of Venetian blinds you have to begin cleaning these stains. Do not use water to clean the stains if the blind is made from faux or natural wood. Instead, it would help if you used a cleaner specifically designed for the material your blinds are made of.

If you use other cleaning products or regular water, you may stain or warp your blinds.

Suppose you wish to remove stains from aluminium Venetian blinds or another waterproof style; you can use a vinegar and warm water solution. Below are the steps to clean your Venetian blinds with the above mixture.

• In a medium-size bowl, combine equal parts of vinegar and warm water
• Dip an old sock or microfibre cloth into the homemade mixture until it’s damp
• Scrub the stain with the wet cloth until it vanishes
• When you are finished, make sure to use a microfibre cloth to dry the blinds

You can use a cotton swab or ball to get into a small space if your Venetian blinds have blemishes near the corded system or headrail. A soft brush can also be used in a circular motion if you have stubborn stains on your blind slats. 

When scrubbing, make sure not to apply too much pressure as you may break the blind slats in the process. 

You can use soapy water as an alternative if you don’t have vinegar on hand. If cleaning your blinds with an alternate liquid, make sure it is a mild detergent that won’t strip or stain the slats.

When the job is complete, ensure that each slat is dried individually to avoid rust or mould forming in the future.

Deep Cleaning for Grime and Stains

Occasionally Venetian blinds require deep cleaning, and this process can be time-consuming because you need to remove the blinds from the frame. Luckily, you only need to perform a deep clean when you see excessive grime build-up.

Metal, plastic, and aluminium blinds are the only types that should be deep cleaned because the procedure involves water. 

The Process

Once the blinds are removed, place them on the floor and grab a cleaning tool, such as a scrubbing brush. Use a mixture of soap, vinegar, and warm water to deep clean. 

This solution not only lifts grease and grime but will leave your blinds smelling as fresh as a daisy.

Scrub both sides of each blind thoroughly to remove all signs of dirt. Once you are satisfied with the results, set your Venetian blinds out somewhere to dry, and it is recommended to leave them in a breezy area to speed up the drying time.

When everything is dry, reassemble your blinds into the railing and place them back on your wall. 

Conclusion

Having clean blinds not only makes your home’s interior more attractive but also keeps the area free from germs and viruses. With the regular cleaning of your Venetian blinds, you will have a pleasant and sanitary home at all times.

About the Author