How to Clean Blinds

The Best Way to Clean Venetian, Wooden, Vertical & Aluminum Blinds

At Ruffell and Brown, we offer an extensive selection of elegant, low-maintenance window fashions to bring out the very best in your home.

As one of the most versatile window coverings, blinds are a perennial choice for homeowners. Functional and streamlined, blinds allow maximum light control and privacy. Simply adjust the slats or move the blinds up or down to bring in as little or as much light as you want. Blinds are wonderful for shading your home, blocking onlookers and protecting interior finishings from the sun’s rays.

With a wide array of material and colours, our selection of venetian blinds and vertical blinds are designed for a lifetime of easy-care enjoyment. Choose from our lines of motorized, manual, cordless and top-down/bottom-up blinds.

Clean Blinds Keep Your View Looking Beautiful

Once you’ve had your custom blinds installed, you’ll need to perform some minor upkeep. Blinds collect dust, pet hair and other particles throughout the day and can release these allergens into the air each time the blinds are adjusted. Dirty blinds can also quickly become an eyesore with a dingy, grimy appearance that retracts from an otherwise great view.

The good news is that cleaning blinds is a simple process. Some newer models, like our line of sleek metal blinds from Hunter Douglas, are especially easy to keep clean. These blinds are treated with Dust Shield™, an anti-static additive that prevents build-up of troublesome dust.

When cleaning blinds, use a dry microfiber cloth, a high-quality feather duster, a microfiber blind duster, or a vacuum. Microfibers trap dust particles and feather dusters actually pull the dust away. Microfiber blind dusters in particular are designed to fit between multiple slats at one time, which can reduce time spent cleaning. A vacuum cleaner with an extendable hose and a good quality upholstery attachment can also make short work of this task.

Whichever tool you choose, always thoroughly dust blinds before using any water or cleaning agents, since dust combined with water creates a real mess.

How to Clean Blinds Using a Cloth, a Feather Duster, or a Vacuum Cleaner

1. Adjust blinds to the closed position (concave side facing you) and dust from top to bottom.
2. Adjust blinds to the next closed position (convex side facing you) and repeat.
3. Vacuum any fallen dust or debris.

How to Clean Blinds Using a Microfiber Blind Duster

1. Adjust blinds to the open position.
2. Working from the top, dust from the top, working your way to the bottom.
3. Vacuum any fallen dust or debris.

If the blinds have a lot of built-up grime and residue, a damp cloth, mild detergent and a little bit of elbow grease is all you really need. You’ll want to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners to prevent scratching and damaging the blinds.

Methods vary depending on whether the blinds are alternative wood, aluminum, vinyl, or real wood. No matter what material you’re working with, take care to avoid bending or pulling the slats out of the clips. If your blinds are damaged for whatever reason, we do offer repair services and replacement parts.

How to Wash Alternative (Faux) Wood, Aluminum and Vinyl Blinds

Alternative wood blinds, like the Everwood line by Hunter Douglas, resist warping and fading. As a result, Everwood products are a great alternative to wood blinds for use in bathrooms and rooms with full sun.

Use a thin film of blind cleaner, mild dish detergent, or castile soap. Dampen a sponge or microfiber cloth with lukewarm water and a bit of gentle dish detergent. This will also help reduce any build-up of static electricity on vinyl blinds.

1. Adjust blinds to the closed position (concave side facing you) and gently wipe from top to bottom with a damp cloth.
2. Adjust blinds to the next closed position (convex side facing you) and repeat.
3. For both sides, take care to wipe each blade all the way to the ends.
4. Adjust slats to the open (flat) position and let them hang to dry in an open window.

How to Clean Wooden Blinds

Hunter Douglas’ Parkland blinds are constructed of fine hardwood. To keep these and other fine wood products looking like new, use a clean, dry cloth or vacuum brush attachment. Ultrasonic cleaning, scrubbing cleansers and use of chemical cleaners is not recommended as it will damage the wood. If you do need to use detergent to spot clean, ensure the cloth is damp, not wet, to prevent warping or staining caused by excess moisture.

Follow steps 1- 4 as above.

Helpful Hints

• Refresh the cleaning water often to prevent washing blinds with a soiled cloth.
• If you have hard water, dry each blade with a dry cloth or sponge to prevent unsightly water spots.
• For alternative wood and vinyl blinds, wiping each blade with dryer sheets will reduce static cling and repel dust.
• Keep wooden blinds away from areas of high humidity, steam and cleaning products to ensure lasting beauty.
• When cleaning windows, spray cleaner into the cloth rather than directly onto the window which will help prevent any damage to the blinds.
• Clamp a clothespin on the last blade of the blind if you need to take a break from cleaning the blinds. If you need to pause, you’ll easily be able to see where you left off.

If you have any questions or concerns about the care of your blinds or other window coverings, the experts at Ruffell & Brown in Victoria, BC, will be glad to assist you. Phone 250-384-1230 or book an appointment to set up a free consultation.