With a little preventive maintenance, keeping blinds clean is a breeze. Unfortunately, I never really thought about cleaning my blinds until the dust was visible. From what I’ve read, I am not the only one out there whose neglect has led to filthy window coverings. Knowing that I could not put if off any longer, I decided to do some research into the best way to clean my blinds. Here is what I found.

The prevention method really is the best. With regular light dusting, you can keep your blinds clean with a minimum of effort. For dusting, use a soft cloth or feather duster on each slat. You can also place an old sock on your hand and use it as a dusting mitt. For PVC, vinyl or faux wood blinds, you can use a dryer sheet to reduce static cling and repel dust.

For heavier cleaning, use the brush attachment and gently vacuum your blinds. To get both sides of the blind, first turn the slats up and vacuum with an upward stroke, then turn the slats down and vacuum with a downward stroke. Alternatively, you may be able to use the cool setting on your hair dryer to blow the dust off.

If your blinds are in really bad shape, like mine, there are other cleaning methods available. The method you use depends on the type of blind you are cleaning.

Aluminum, Vinyl, PVC

There are commercial blind cleaners that you can use with a soft cloth to clean these blinds.

You can also spot clean these blinds with a cloth or sponge moistened with lukewarm water. Note that all of the resources I consulted were adamant that you not use hot water for cleaning blinds. If necessary, you can use a mild detergent when spot cleaning. But spot cleaning may leave some spots looking cleaner than others, so you may want to exercise caution with this method.

The immersion method can also be use in most cases, but check the maintenance literature that came with your blinds before soaking your blinds. To wash your blinds, follow the steps below:

• Immerse the entire shade in lukewarm water and mild detergent and wash for five minutes by gently swishing the water around.
• Rinse the blinds with clear water, close them and then tilt them to drain the excess water.
• Re-install the shade and let it dry with the slats fully closed.

Wood and Faux Wood Blinds

Water and chemical cleaners are not recommended for cleaning these blinds. You can clean stain-finished wood blinds with lemon oil or wood preservative. Clean each slat separately.

Faux wood blinds are easier to clean than real wood. You can use the same methods used for aluminum, PVC and vinyl, with the exception of the immersion method. Check with your blind vendor or manufacturer before submersing faux wood blinds in water.

Fabric Blinds

Because of the anti-static fabrics that are typically used in these blinds, they do not usually require frequent cleaning. Light dusting with a vacuum brush is usually all that is needed, although you can use a soft, damp cloth for spot cleaning, if necessary.

When in Doubt...

If you have any questions or concerns about the care of your blinds, be sure to check with the store where you bought them or with the manufacturer. Many manufacturers’ Web sites include detailed care and cleaning guides.

Article source: http://www.professorshouse.com/your-home/cleaning/how-clean-window-blinds.aspx