How to wash horizontal aluminum blinds: recommendations

Horizontal blinds are an excellent replacement for classic curtains. The product is especially popular in offices and city apartments. Despite many advantages, from a simple control system to light adjustment, blinds also have disadvantages. The main one is a complex cleaning system. Horizontal slats need to be washed on both sides, which usually takes a lot of time. However, there are also ways to wash horizontal aluminum blinds in a short time.

Cleaning Features

In order for the blinds to always look neat, you will need to regularly clean them and remove the accumulated layer of dust. There are two ways to deal with this problem: dismantle the slats or clean them near the window.

Horizontal blinds

The first option is suitable in a situation where the structure has visible dirt and traces of grease (when placed in the kitchen). The second option is suitable when you need to remove surface dirt. Before you start cleaning, you need to prepare the curtains. We will consider this process in more detail.

The process of preparing blinds for cleaning

As we have already said, in order to remove all contaminants from the surface, it is better to temporarily dismantle the structure. This is quite simple to do, but if the window opening is too large, then it is difficult for one housewife to cope with it - help may be required.

In order to remove the slats from the brackets, it is necessary to determine the type of fasteners:

if the cornices are held on by screws, then they are unscrewed with a screwdriver, after which they are easily removed;
In the case of a “swallow” fastening, it is necessary to dismantle the top bar by hand or using a screwdriver.

It is necessary to remove the structure as carefully as possible

Then all that remains is to remove the decorative tips that cover the clamps, after which the curtains will easily detach from the brackets.

Note! Decorative finials should be removed even if you do not plan to remove the blinds. After all, it is believed that during the process of wet cleaning, water can flow into metal elements, which is why rust appears.

The nuances of cleaning slats

Difficulties of cleansing

The numerous advantages of blinds (quick installation, ergonomics, the ability to match the color to the interior) are accompanied by disadvantages due to inconvenience during cleaning.

They do not absorb dirt and retain dust. This is good: the dust has been wiped off, and the accessory is clean again. But after a month, accumulated street dust sticks to the lamellas (plates), forming a coating. And soot forms on kitchen plastic curtains, and cleaning the device becomes doubly difficult.
Small parts. Due to frequent rows of plates, good sun protection is ensured. But the slats require careful handling, since they are made of lightweight plastic.

However, difficulties are not terrible if you know the technology of proper care.

How to wash blinds in the bathroom: step-by-step instructions

Step one: first you need to wash the bathtub and line the bottom with soft material. After that, you should take warm water and add detergent there, and then thoroughly foam. You will need to place the blinds in this bath and leave for a few minutes (the wide design should be soaked in sections).

A soft towel will prevent scratches on the surface of the curtain rod and the bathtub itself

Step two: Next, apply soap to noticeable stains and wipe with a soft cloth or sponge.

It is necessary to soak the blinds in detergent

Step three: now the dirty water with foam can be drained and the bath filled again. Rinse the blinds thoroughly in clean water to make sure there are no contaminants (it is convenient to water the structure from the shower).

The structure must be rinsed to remove any remaining foam.

Step four: upon completion of washing, you need to lift the curtains, holding them by the edge so that the water drains from them. Next, you will need to hang them on the window - this way they will dry faster.

Blinds must dry thoroughly

Find out how to hang blinds on plastic windows, and also check out several installation options in a special article on our website.

Features of working with roller blinds

Systems with roller slats can be cleaned without removing them from the window. The fabric for making such blinds is impregnated with special agents. They keep the material free of dust longer and prevent the absorption of dirt and tobacco smoke. Once or twice a year they are cleaned with special means and chemicals.

The curtains are pulled down to their full length. Prepare a solution from water and detergents, foam it and apply the foam with a sponge to the entire surface on both sides. Leave for 15-20 minutes.

A film is spread on the floor to protect it from water. The foam is washed off the curtains with clean water 2 times and dried with a napkin. Open the window and finally dry the blinds in the draft.

How to clean curtains without removing them?

Of course, as we said earlier, it is better to remove the structure and thoroughly wash all the slats, but not every housewife has this opportunity. Moreover, if the surface is not too dirty, then you can carry out the cleaning procedure by weight.

Option No. 1: step-by-step instructions

Step one: if too much dust has accumulated on the surface of the blinds, you can use a portable car vacuum cleaner. In this case, all movements must be performed carefully so as not to scratch the slats.

The mobile device is best suited for removing dust from blind slats

Step two: then you will need to wipe each lamella with a soft sponge.

To wash blinds, only use the soft side of the sponge.

Step three: if there are stains on the surface, they can be removed with alcohol wipes for equipment.

Universal wipes effectively remove dirt

Option No. 2: step-by-step instructions

Table 1. Instructions for removing dirt from metal blinds

Illustration	Description
You need to pour clean warm water into the basin, and then add soap there
Now you need to move the curtains to the closed position and thoroughly rub their surface with a sponge and soap. If stains remain, apply dishwashing detergent to them and rub vigorously. It is better to leave them like this for a few minutes.
Upon completion of cleaning, it is necessary to wipe the entire canvas with a sponge and clean water without soap. After which it will be possible to proceed to the other side - to do this you will have to turn the blinds over.
Stains from metal surfaces can be easily removed with glass washing liquid, so it can be used as a finishing treatment.

Note! After washing and drying, it is necessary to spray the blinds with an antistatic agent using a spray bottle. This will prevent dust from accumulating at least for a while.

If desired, you can immediately add the soap solution to the sprayer without using a basin, which will save cleaning time.

Video - How to clean aluminum blinds

What means are best to use?

Blinds are equally appropriate both in a city apartment and in a country house. In the second case, they become contaminated more often. In addition, in rooms such as the kitchen, soot and grease settle on the blinds, and dust settles much more intensely, along with moths and all sorts of small debris.

You can replace the blinds with new ones when they get dirty, but this is quite an expensive undertaking. Therefore, we will try to put them in order with our own hands in a timely manner, and in such a way that cleaning and washing are as cheap as possible.

In hardware stores, you can purchase special products or substances designed for washing hard, water-resistant external surfaces and equipment. Each of them contains instructions for use, which you should read. What these products have in common is the presence of a strong alkali in their composition, so such substances must be used carefully, always wearing gloves. It is better to resort to their help if the dirt on the blinds is very strong.

Since such means, among other things, are not cheap, we will try to make do with simple, familiar means:

soda;
dishwashing detergent;
soap solution;
washing powder.

How to quickly clean slats without water and streaks?

Almost all previous methods involve using water to wash blinds. However, if the surface is not covered with stubborn stains, then you can deal with the problem only with the help of wet wipes. It is enough to clamp the lamella with a napkin on both sides and move it to the side.

Any wet wipes are suitable for removing dust

We wash vertical blinds removed from the window

Before removing vertical blinds, remove excess dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
Move the slats to one side and, removing them, roll them into a roll.
Prepare a warm soapy solution in the bath.
Lower the roll until it is completely submerged. Wait half an hour.
Wash with a soft sponge, unrolling the vertical curtains from the bottom.
Roll the washed slats back into a roll. When finished, turn the roll over, clean the back of the blinds and repeat the procedure. Finally, rinse well and hang to dry.

Using special devices

When cleaning the slats, you can use various devices that will help speed up this process.

Brush

To help with cleaning, it is recommended to purchase a special brush designed for slats. Such products are made from various materials, but most often they are multi-row “rakes”. In addition, they are provided with additional attachments in the form of sponges and terry rags.

Special curtain brush with textile attachment

The convenient design of the brush allows you to remove dirt from both sides at once. It will come in handy both during dry and wet cleaning.

Steam generator

If a thorough cleaning is required in order to remove old stains, then the housewife cannot do without a steam generator. Firstly, using the device will allow you not to fill a whole basin of water, and secondly, the steam generator removes not only external dirt, but also all kinds of bacteria, mold and mildew, which is beyond the power of ordinary soap.

It is worth noting that this method is excellent for cleaning curtains that are located near the hob, because it is with the help of steam that greasy marks are quickly removed from the slats. In addition, such actions do not require much effort - you don’t have to rub anything.

Prices for popular models of manual steam cleaners

Manual steam cleaner

Cleaning lamellas with a steam generator: step-by-step instructions

Step one: first you need to bury the blinds, and then steam each side of the slats. It's better to start from the top.

Depending on the degree of contamination, you can set any steam supply mode

Step two: if the stains are difficult to remove, you can rub the surface with a soft sponge.

Remaining dirt is removed with a sponge.

Step three: upon completion of the process, wipe the entire canvas dry and begin processing the second side.

Blinds need to be thoroughly cleaned

Important point! If you don’t have a steam generator, then you can rent it for a few hours from friends or through an advertisement, because such a global cleaning will not have to be done every day.

Types of light protection systems

Blinds are an alternative to conventional curtains. The system consists of individual strips (lamellas) connected by a chain. The slats drive the opening and closing mechanism. Manufacturers produce systems with manual, mechanical or electronic (remote control) drives.

By material

Metal blinds are made from strips or solid sheets of aluminum. These systems are durable and have a long service life.
Plastic systems - the duration of use is short, but they are lighter.
Wooden (or bamboo) slats are made, respectively, from wooden strips or bamboo sticks. They have a long service life and are resistant to corrosion.
Fabric curtains are fragile, but beautiful. Prints on fabrics are painted on different themes: floral, sports, geometric.

By design

horizontal - the slats are located horizontally relative to the floor, the blinds are folded in the upper part near the cornice;
vertical - strips of lamellas are perpendicular to the floor, move apart in one or both directions;
roll systems - consist of a single piece of fabric, which is rolled into a roll and fixed on top along the curtain.

Cleaning methods

Blinds are cared for in two ways:

You can wash the blinds without removing them from the cornice. Cleaning with a vacuum cleaner or a damp sponge is used so as not to disperse accumulated dust throughout the room.
Clean dismantled systems. An effective method when washing the slats is in the bath or under the shower.

Universal tips for cleaning aluminum blinds

In order to give metal slats a shiny look, you can use simple universal cleaning methods.

If there are greasy stains on the surface that could not be removed using previous methods, then you can purchase products from the Amway brand for such purposes. The products of this company are declared to be environmentally friendly and meet all safety standards (natural components cope with dirt no worse than chemical ones). To begin with, the product must be distributed over the surface with a spray bottle and then removed with a napkin.

All Purpose Cleaners

When washing the structure in the bathroom, you should place cotton wool in the places of the decorative plugs - this will protect the metal from corrosion. If the aluminum slats have a textured surface, then during the washing process it is better to use an unnecessary toothbrush with soft bristles.

We said above that the final cleaning step is applying an antistatic agent. If you do not have an antistatic agent, you can use regular fabric softener. The structure is treated with it immediately after washing. In order for the surface to remain shiny for a long time, in addition to the antistatic agent, it is necessary to apply polish to the structure.

Antistatic agent in aerosol form

Find out how to install roller blinds on plastic windows without drilling in a special article on our website.

Price for LOC Amway multifunctional cleaner

LOC Amway Multifunctional Cleaner

Removing various types of contaminants

Regular cleaning of blinds is often not difficult. Problems can arise when difficult stains need to be removed. Therefore, you should try to prevent their occurrence. But if, through negligence, stains of coffee, fruit, juice, wine, tea, or grease appear on the blinds, it is better to remove them immediately.

The easiest way to remove any stains from blinds is to use an eraser. However, you should not rub it too hard so as not to damage the surface, especially if it has an ornament or colored coating.

If the leaf does not help remove the stain, you can use other methods. Chlorine bleaches and aggressive stain removers should not be used. It is recommended to pay attention to natural stain removers, which are gentle. Before purchasing and using any product, you should carefully read the label. To be on the safe side, it is recommended to check the safety of the product in an inconspicuous area.

Recommendations for caring for metal blinds

The functionality of a metal structure depends on the serviceability of the mechanism. In order to extend its service life, you must follow these recommendations:

It is necessary to finally fix the blinds to the brackets only when they are completely dry. This usually takes about 24 hours.
Before installing the blinds in place, you need to make sure that the decorative tips are also dry.
Periodically, the design mechanism should be treated with a lubricant.

The structure must dry thoroughly

Note! The edges of the metal slats can be sharp, so be careful when cleaning, otherwise you can easily injure your hands.

What you need to know

Before cleaning blinds, you need to carefully evaluate their design and material. This will allow you to choose the optimal method of care. Depending on these indicators, there are general recommendations for caring for blinds:

It is prohibited to wash any blinds in a washing machine;
drying should be carried out horizontally and straightened;
ironing fabric blinds is allowed only in extreme cases at a minimum temperature and through gauze;
To clean blinds, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth, such as microfiber;
wooden blinds must not be wetted, and special products for wood should be used to polish them;
drying should be done naturally without the use of a hair dryer, iron, battery or other thermal devices;
When removing blinds, you should be especially careful so as not to damage the structure and slats.

By following simple care rules, you can ensure the cleanliness and long service life of blinds of various types and materials. To ensure that the blinds last as long as possible, the surfaces should be cleaned regularly. This will avoid the formation of stubborn, complex stains. Even if the condition of the blinds is catastrophic, you should not despair. Using specialized detergents or professional dry cleaning will get rid of most contaminants.

Caring for slats made of plastic and textiles

You can often find plastic and textile blinds in apartments. The process of washing them is not much different from the options described above, but still has some features.

For example, a plastic structure quickly deforms during dismantling and washing, so it is recommended to handle it more carefully (compared to metal). This also applies to textile products.

Fabric products require careful care

Features of washing fabric blinds

Manufacturers of textile blinds do not recommend soaking them in water, because some natural materials can be deformed under the influence of warm or hot water, which is why the structure will forever lose its attractive appearance. Meanwhile, slats made of synthetic materials can be washed without worry.

Recommendations for hand washing textile blinds:

The first step is to clean the surface from dust, as in the previous case, use a vacuum cleaner or special brushes for this. After which the curtains will need to be dismantled. The peculiarity is that fabric curtains can be quickly rolled up.
It is recommended to wash the slats in the bathroom at a temperature of about 35 degrees. Any gel for washing colored clothes can be used as a cleaning agent. The lamellas are left in the soap solution for up to 60-70 minutes, until all contaminants are removed from the surface.
You can rinse curtains in cool, clean water. It is advisable to repeat this procedure several times to remove all remaining foam, otherwise stains will remain on the surface that will be difficult to remove.
If stains remain on the surface after hand washing, they can be removed point by point using a stain remover.

The stain remover effectively removes even greasy stains
If the items are brightly colored, it is recommended to soak them in a weak solution of vinegar after washing - this will preserve their color.
You should not wring out the curtains; they must be hung in such a way that water flows down, so it is recommended to dry them on a line in sunny weather.

It is advisable to wash the slats by hand

Video - How to clean textile blinds

Machine washable

Careful care of the slats includes hand washing, so such curtains can only be washed in a washing machine if the following conditions are met:

The structure must be folded into a single roll, and then placed in a special washing bag, after which it should be placed in the drum and the washing machine should be turned on.
In this case, it is important to set a delicate washing mode; the number of revolutions in 60 seconds should be about five hundred. The optimal water temperature is up to 28 degrees. In this case, you must disable any additional options: rinsing, spinning, drying.

The slats will need to be rolled into a skein

How to clean plastic blinds?

An effective remedy for removing dirt from plastic surfaces is vinegar (9%). It not only removes old stains, but also gives the slats a shine. You will need to take half a liter of warm water per 250 ml of vinegar, as well as a soft cloth and rubber gloves to protect the skin of your hands. Then you should moisten the cloth in this solution and wipe the blinds on each side.

Table vinegar

Often plastic blinds begin to turn yellow when exposed to cigarette smoke. Unsightly yellow spots appear on them, which are not always possible to get rid of. In any case, you shouldn’t throw away the curtains right away; you can try to restore them. As practice shows, car dashboard care products deal best with traces of nicotine. The point is that this product was originally developed taking into account that drivers can smoke inside the cabin.

Aerosol products remove tar stains

However, if the stains on the slats have not yet acquired a rich color, you can even remove them with baking soda. It must be mixed with water to form a thick mass, and then applied to the surface. The stains begin to lighten within 7-8 minutes. After that, the remaining soda will need to be removed with a sponge and water.

Baking soda is also used to remove stains.

Important point! Snow-white plastic blinds can be cleaned using bleach, which will also need to be diluted with water first.

Different materials and washing features

Due to their convenience, blinds have become very popular. They are made from various materials, and it will not be difficult for you to choose the option to suit your taste. But each material has its own characteristics. For example, the above methods are excellent for metal, in particular aluminum, blinds.

Wooden products do not withstand the effects of water so easily, so they should be washed if absolutely necessary. Moreover, it is not advisable to immerse them in a bath of water; it is better to wipe them thoroughly with a wet sponge or rag. Otherwise, the wooden slats will swell and lose their shape.

The same methods are suitable for plastic blinds as for metal ones. True, this is harder to do: the plastic surface holds dirt tightly, so use detergents that remove grease.

Fabric blinds are the most capricious. If the dirt is minor, it will be enough to use a vacuum cleaner and a wet sponge. For heavy stains, it is better to use dry cleaning services. But if this option is too expensive for you, then soak your fabric blinds in a solution of washing powder, then rinse under running water. To do this, you will need to disassemble the mechanism and remove the fabric surface.

Useful tips for washing various types of slats

In order to quickly deal with any contamination on the surface of the structure, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

It is recommended to prepare any equipment (disposable napkins, brushes, rakes, gloves, water container) in advance. You will also need a stool or stepladder to reach the top of the bar. An additional table should also be prepared for a container with water.
It is recommended to remove dirt from top to bottom. Otherwise, you can only stain the already clean slats.
It is not recommended to wash the assembled textile structure, because the lamellas can stick to each other and lose their original appearance.
Wood structures are strictly prohibited from being washed with water, otherwise they will absorb moisture and then swell.
After dismantling the cornices, it is recommended to thoroughly wash the window, otherwise the cleaning will be in vain.

Wooden curtains can only be cleaned with special products.

Prices for different types of blinds

Blinds

How to remove horizontal blinds for washing

Sometimes cleaning the slats is problematic due to heavy contamination. Usually, it is more often necessary to remove blinds when installing them in the kitchen. It is necessary to dismantle and soak the product if there are stains from felt-tip pens and paint. In this case, fragile elements may be damaged. And also sometimes the guides get confused.

Please note that the light protection device is not intended to be permanently removed. In most cases, the canvas is attached to the cornice using clamps. Do not unscrew the screws. For dismantling, a design with clamps is provided, which can be:

Rotary. They are not visible from the outside. The latches should be felt from the side of the window (on the back) and turned. These steps allow you to release and remove the upper part of the product.
In the form of latches. They are located both below and above. For the purpose of dismantling, the latches are slightly unclenched.

Option 2

For those owners who do not let their blinds get too dirty, cleaning options have been developed where the structure does not need to be removed. You will learn how to wash horizontal blinds without removing them later in the article. There are several simple ways to help get rid of dust accumulation on the slats. The first and most common is using a special brush.

You can remove dust from horizontal aluminum blinds using a piece of sheep's wool or a household brush. This method does not involve wet cleaning. With progressive hand movements, you clean each lamella and then the structure in turn. We would like to warn you that you cannot get rid of dust for a long time using this method. It will settle on other surfaces.

In hardware departments you can find special three-level brushes. They have dust-absorbing properties. They do not need to be soaked in soapy water, otherwise unpleasant dark stains will remain on the surface of the lamellas. This is an excellent option for everyday types of cleaning. By wiping aluminum horizontal blinds with such a brush every day, you will save yourself from exhausting cleaning of the slats in the future.

Cloth for cleaning blinds