10 Tips to clean your window blinds
Cleaning window blinds can be a difficult task. With so many options of Venetian window blinds available in the market today, cleaning them can be a tricky proposition. Regular dusting and periodic cleaning is the only way to avoid excess accumulation of dust. Depending on the dust, cleaning can be basically categorized into two methods. Light cleaning or regular cleaning is easier, and it helps to keep the window blinds in perfect shape. Heavy build up of dust require strenuous cleaning routine. Here is a list of ten best cleaning tips for your window blinds.
Use a Soft Cotton Glove: Use a cotton glove to clean the window blinds. Instead of using a cotton glove, one can also use a sock or tumble dryer sheet. Wearing the cotton glove, run your hand over each slat from the center to the outside edge. Make sure that the gloves are clean because oily gloves may leave a permanent stain on the blinds. If you do not have a cotton glove, use can easily use dryer sheets as they also have an added advantage of reducing the probability of static current.
Vacuum Cleaner: Regular vacuuming is one of the best ways to keep window blinds clean and dust free. Use suitable tools when cleaning nooks and crannies for best results. The use of soft duster brush attachment to the nozzle is recommended to avoid any unwanted scratches while cleaning.
Deep Cleaning for Metallic Blinds: For metallic blinds, deep cleaning once ever few months is recommended to avoid excessive accumulation of dust and rust. Following the instruction manual, remove the blinds after closing the slats. One can place the blind in the base of a bathtub after ensuring that each blind is submerged under water. Use a cleaning solution like dish detergent or bleach to scrub off the blinds with a gentle brush.
Brush Downwards: One essential cleaning tip to get sparklingly clean blinds is to brush the blinds from top to bottom. Cleaning the blinds the other way round may unhook the slats.
Use Woolen Duster: Using a woolen duster is preferred over other regular dusters for enhanced cleaning of window blinds. Stay away from commonly used plastic dusters as they can leave permanent marks on the blinds.
Clean With a Rubber Sponge: Using a dry rubber sponge is an effective cleaning tool for window blinds. Rubber sponge works well for both fabric as well as vinyl blinds. The best way to clean window blinds using rubber sponger is to wipe the dry sponge firmly across the face of the blind.
Use Cleaner Indirectly: Never use a cleaning solution directly on the window blind. The best way to clean a window blind using a cleaning solution is to drop the solution of a cloth and then rub it on the blinds.
Dry Cleaning Fabric Blinds: If your window blinds are fabric based, you can take down the blinds and take them to a dry cleaner for effective cleaning.
Avoid Car Wash Hose: One of the most common mistakes a lot of people do while cleaning window blinds is to use water pressure like using car wash hose. The use of such extreme water pressure can do harm to the blinds and must be avoided.
Clean Wooden Blinds Carefully: Extra care must be used while cleaning wooden blinds. Also be careful while using water based solutions for cleaning such wooden blinds. You can wet wooden blinds by cleaning them with a moist cloth or sponge but soaking them in the water is a complete No No.