How to Clean Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds need very little care to look great. The louvres hang down which means that they don’t trap too much dust and dirt. At Blinds Direct our blinds come in a range of practical materials including aluminium, PVC, wood, blackout and ordinary fabrics so they are simple to clean. If you need constantly to clean the slats we recommend an upgrade to wipeable fabric slats if it is the case not please read bellow:

Here are some answers to common questions:

Can I clean fabric blinds in the washing machine?

Although washing machine instructions usually say that you can safely wash your blinds at 40 degrees it is recommended to roll the fabric slats and place them in a pillowcase or a fabric bag before placing in the machine. If you put them straight in the machine you might find out later that they fray and snag. Instead of washing at 40 degrees set your machine no higher than 30 degrees on a delicate wash setting to stay on the safe side.

What temperature should the water be to wash my fabric slats by hand?

Always try to use warm water instead of hot. Some weighted pockets may have hems that are secured with glue rather than stitches and very hot water could melt the glue and destroy the blinds. More and more manufacturers use glued pockets and warm water is just as good at removing stains as the hot water is.

What kind of detergent is best to use?

Use best a mild non-biological washing powder that is specifically designed for delicate fabrics. Always read the box for instructions before to check that the washing powder is suitable for the fabric the slats have been made of. If you have bought from us the product you may also want to check the product page specs.

If I have a particularly stubborn stain?

Vertical blinds installed in the kitchens often have difficult, stubborn stains. Try rubbing the stain with a fabric stain remover following the exact instructions on the box. A word of caution, there is a possibility that the treated stain might become an extra clean patch which can look a bit odd.

How should I dry my window blinds?

Allow your blinds to dry naturally. Do not be tempted to put them in a tumble dryer as this could make them shrink in different places leaving you with strangely shaped blinds. Lay your vertical slats out flat on some towels to dry rather than hanging them right away. Make sure they are 100% dry before you put them up again.

How often should I be dusting off my blinds?

Spending a few minutes dusting your blinds every week will help them to look fresh for longer, saving you from dismantling them to deep clean more often than necessary. Before you dust slats spray them with a small amount of air or clothes freshener to dislodge the dust. Make sure you test spray on an invisible area of the fabric first just to make sure it doesn’t alter the fabric. To clean wooden slats use compressed air rather than spray to get rid of heavy dust. Use a thick duster to wipe slats clean. Do not use a feather duster which will just move the dust around and not getting rid of it completely.

Can I vacuum blinds?

Yes. You can dust the blinds slats by vacuuming them on a gentle setting with the brush attachment. Always vacuum from the top to bottom the avoid unhooking the slats.

How do I clean the headrail?

The headrail, housing the operating mechanism can be a dust trap. Try to unclip the louvres from the hanger first. Still operate the blind stacking option to move the carriers inside the headrail so can reach the inside the headrail and wipe with a damp cloth. Also, sometimes a special spray is recommended to make operation smooth. Now click the louvres back into place.