How To Clean Blinds: A Step-by-Step Guide For Spotless Results

by John Griffith
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Blinds are a great addition to any home. They help protect your privacy, add style, and help control how much light comes through. However, like everything else in your home, they tend to collect a ton of dust and dirt over time. This makes them look unappealing and dingy. Plus, all that debris also flies over to your windows, making them dirty as well. But that’s not the only problem. Dusty blinds mean you are constantly breathing in said debris. So, both for aesthetic and health reasons it is very important to clean them regularly and properly. This will help prolong their lifespan, keep them looking nice, and help keep the air and your lungs clean. That’s why today we will show you how to clean blinds the right way and provide you with plenty of tips on how to make the process quick and easy.

Blinds are a great addition to any home

person wiping in between blinds

How To Clean Blinds

It is super easy to forget about cleaning your blinds. They aren’t usually included in most weekly cleaning routines, as they are rarely a priority clean. However, once you take a look at how much gunk is on them and how quickly it builds, you may start paying them more attention. While they look like a hassle to clean, the process is actually quite easy. You just have to know what to do. Today we will show you how to easily remove all the dust and debris off the blinds in a matter of minutes.

It is super easy to forget about cleaning your blinds

vertical venition blinds on window

#What You’ll Need

Before you go straight to clean, it’s best to gather all the materials you will need. On the bright side, when it comes to cleaning blinds you don’t need any expensive cleaning ingredients. All you truly need is a microfiber cloth, a vacuum (preferably with an upholstery attachment), a clean sock and some vinegar. It’s more than likely you have all of these things lying around the house. Once you’ve gathered all of them you can proceed with the cleaning process.

It’s best to gather all the materials you will need before you start to clean

vacuum yellow on carpet

#Close and Dust

The first step in the cleaning process is the easiest. Start by closing the blinds tightly shut. Then take your microfiber cloth and start moving from the top of the blind downward. If you have horizontal blinds, then wipe side to side. You can help stabilize the blinds by holding them at the bottom. The open up your and tun the cloth over them once again, getting in all each crevice.

Start by closing the blinds tightly shut

person pulling on blindes

#Flip and Repeat

Once one side is done, you need to do the exact same process on the other side. Flip the blinds, so the other side is facing you and repeat the process you just did. Usually the side facing the window is dirty, so take your time.

Flip the blinds and clean again

woman wiping window blinds

#Dealing with stains

If you notice any stains, dirt, or gunk stuck on the blinds while you are dusting them, then here is what you need to do. Grab a bowl and mix together equal parts of water and white vinegar. Then get a clean, old sock and put it over your hand (it’s better to have a layer of gloves underneath). You can also put it over a flat blinds cleaning stick. Dip the sock into the cleaning solution, wring it out and then run the sock over each blind blade tightly. Then leave the blinds to dry.

You need to do some extra work to get rid of stains

up close photo of blinds

#Clean Around

Once you are done dusting and cleaning, it’s time to take care of all the mess that has fallen around the blinds. Take your vacuum and clean all around the blinds. You don’t want any stray dust rolling around the home, especially after you have just removed it from the blinds.

Take your vacuum and clean all around the blinds

cleaning blinds with vacuum

#Alternative Cleaning Methods

There are some other cleaning methods you can also try out that are just as effective. It really depends on what your preferred method is cleaning is. So, choose the one that suits you best.

  • Vacuuming. If you don’t have or want to use a microfiber cloth, you can use only the vacuum. Just make sure to put it on the lowest suction setting and attach its soft dusting brush.
  • In a tub. If your blinds are a bit dirtier than you expected and they are made from metal, vinyl or faux, then you can wash them in the bathtub. Just line the tub with towels and some soapy water. Extend the blinds and submerge them for around fifteen minutes. Finally, rinse them and dry them.

If your blinds are a bit dirtier than you expected, you can wash them in the bathtub

white bathtub with wooden table

How Often Should You Clean Your Blinds?

Well, the frequency with which you clean your blinds can depend on several factors. The most important factor is how dusty your home gets. It also very much depends on your personal preferences and cleaning routine. In general, once a week or every other week is recommended for cleaning blinds. If you have allergies, however, you may need to clean them more frequently.

Once a week or every other week is recommended for cleaning blinds

plant in pot in front of window with blinds

When Do You Have To Replace Your Blinds?

In general, blinds are quite the long-lasting investment. If you do regular maintenance they should last up to ten years, sometimes more. However, there are some tell-tale signs that might indicate it’s time to replace your blinds with new ones:

  • Your blinds bent, broken or warped in any way;
  • Opening and closing them seems like an impossible task;
  • The blinds have started to get discolored, they are yellowing or are fraying;
  • Your blinds do not fit the new windows.

In general, blinds are quite the long-lasting investment

blinds in an office room

This was how to clean blinds the right way, so they can look spotless. We hope you found this article useful. Now that you have everything you need to know, you can give your blinds a good cleaning and return them to their former glory.

This was how to clean blinds the right way, so they can look spotless

how to clean blinds window with vinyl blinds

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John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.