Venetian blinds are popular accessories in most homes since the horizontal slats can be adjusted to let in any amount of light. These blinds are also made with a wide variety of materials to suit a room’s style. Like with any furnishing, blinds accumulate dust and need to be cleaned periodically. Wipe off the dust from time to time or use a vacuum for a more efficient way. If your blinds need a deeper cleaning, scrub them with soapy water or take them down for soaking. With regular cleaning, blinds can continue to be a fresh and fabulous part of your home.
Lower the blinds and shut the slats to make them easier to clean. Lowering the blinds makes them easier to spread out for cleaning. After lowering them all the way down with the pull string, use the turning rod to adjust the angle of the slats. Position the blinds completely closed, like you’re going for maximum privacy.
Tie back curtains and other furnishings around the blinds. Pull them to the side so they don’t get in the way while you’re cleaning. Wrap billowing curtains up in a band if they keep falling back in front of the blinds. You could also take them off the wall so you’re better able to access the blinds. Move away any nearby furniture, toys, and other obstacles that could trip you up.
Wipe away any noticeable debris with paper towels before cleaning. Check the blinds for problem spots. You never know when random stains happen. Whether that is food, bug splatter, sticky spots, or spills, wipe up as much of the debris as you can so it doesn’t spread while cleaning. Dry towels are enough for now
Try to clean spills and other issues when they’re fresh so they don’t have time to settle on the blinds. It makes routine cleaning much easier!
Choose a cotton glove or another soft dusting tool. Gloves enable you to reach around the Venetian blinds by hand, but there are many alternatives you can use. Many people like using an old sock. If you don’t mind putting your hand in something that was on your feet, a sock is about as easy to use as a glove. Otherwise, you could use a clean, soft cloth or another piece of fabric.
Many general stores sell dusting mitts. They are practically made for blinds and you won’t find a better tool for light cleaning. Look for it along with any other cleaning supplies you need.
Feather dusters are great ways to do some routine maintenance on your blinds. They are great for reaching higher spots on the blinds with ease but aren’t as effective at clearing off individual slats. Other options include paper towels and clothes dryer sheets. Dryer sheets are good because they prevent static electricity that attracts dust. These products need to be swapped out as they get filthy with grime.
Run your fingers lightly over the slats and accessories. Start with the center of each slat and work toward the edges. Finish one side, then go back to the center and work toward the other side. You will need to do this for each slat, so it isn’t the quickest process, but it does remove plenty of dust. Press as gently as possible on the blinds and don’t squeeze them as you brush across the edges.
Working from the center ensures you don’t streak dust from one end to the other. Be sure to check your cleaning tool and replace it as it gets dirty.
Remember to get any handles or strings hanging from the blinds. Scrub them the same way as the slats.
Change or clean your duster to avoid leaving dust on the slats. That dust has to go somewhere, and eventually, it’s going to fill up your glove or cloth. Take it outside and shake it out to release the dust. You could also get a trash bag, stick your glove or duster in it, and shake off the dust. Do this each time your duster looks dirty to avoid putting dust back on the blinds as you clean them.
For disposable dusting tools like paper towels, throw them away as they accumulate grime. You may need to go through quite a few of them depending on how dirty the blinds are, so it’s not necessarily the most cost-efficient or eco-friendly solution.
Dirty dusters can be washed in soapy water followed by a clean water rinse. Let it dry before you use it on the blinds again.
Flip the blinds around to clean the other side. Use the roller on the blinds to invert them. Adjust the slats so you are able to see their back ends, which normally face the window. Then, use your dusting tools to repeat the cleaning process. Wipe off each individual slat as well as the pull cord and other accessories.
Slip behind the blinds if you need to in order to wipe down each slat. It’s easier to adjust the slats using the roller, but you could still reach the other side if you are unable to move them.
Attach a duster brush or an upholstery brush to your vacuum cleaner. You will need a vacuum cleaner with a hose in order to reach the blinds. Stick the brush attachment into the nozzle at the end of the hose. Use a duster brush if your vacuum came with one since it’s soft and effective on delicate surfaces like blinds. Upholstery brushes are a little larger but still decent on blinds.
Whatever you do, don’t attempt to use the hose without a brush attachment. It’s strong enough to pull the slats and scratch or chip them.
Hold the blinds still while you vacuum. Even if you have the right vacuum attachment, take no chances when vacuuming. Hang onto the slats as you move the vacuum along each one. You can simply grip the end of the slat to do this. As you move along the slat, shift to the other side to keep it steady.
Nobody enjoys seeing their blinds crack and fall to pieces during routine cleaning. The slats can be delicate, so use caution whenever you are able to. Keep a firm grip on the slats so the vacuum hose doesn’t suck them in.
Move the vacuum from the center to the sides of the slats. Always follow the direction of the slats. For Venetian blinds, that means moving the vacuum hose to the right and left. Work one slat at a time, starting in the center with each pass. Go back over each blind until it is clean.
Set the vacuum to the lowest power setting possible to reduce the chances of damaging the slats.
Open and reverse the slats to clean the underside of the blinds. Use the turning rod to spin the slat all the way around. There is dust on the side facing the window too, so now is a good time to take care of it. Go back over each slat a few times with the vacuum cleaner, remembering to work from the center of the slats with each pass.
Check the slats for debris when you’re done. You may need to go over them a few times to eliminate all of the dust.
Use a wood cleaner to renew wooden blinds without damaging them. It’s best to avoid soaking wooden slats in water. Instead, spray a wood cleaner or furniture polish on each individual slat. Use a clean cotton cloth or sock to rub the cleaner back and forth along the stain. Leave the cord and other accessories untouched for now to clean with water later. If you don’t have a wood-specific cleaner, you may be able to lift a stain by scrubbing it with a very small amount of plain water. Moisten the sock or cloth and be prepared to dry the wood off when you’re done.
Most wooden blinds are treated with a finish that resists stains, so a dry wipe with a clean cloth is often enough to polish them, now you are done!