10 ways to wash blinds quickly and effectively

Blinds are a great option for your home or office. It is always possible to close them in sunny weather and open them on a cloudy day, letting in a sufficient amount of light into the room. Over time, they become covered with dust (and in the kitchen, also with grease), fade and lose their original appearance. Dust can simply be brushed off, but to remove stubborn stains, you must follow the tips and tricks on how to wash vertical blinds at home.

How to wash horizontal aluminum blinds in 4 minutes

If you want to do the cleaning quickly, you need to remove the blinds from the window, otherwise you will have to do a major cleaning, including washing the frame and glass. For the express method, you will need high-quality chemicals for contactless car washing. The good thing about this product is that you are spared the need to wipe each lamella on both sides with a sponge or a special brush.

Removing and hanging an alternative curtain is a matter of one minute. And for active foam, two minutes is enough to dissolve all existing dirt.

The sequence of actions in this case is indecently simple.

1. Switch the curtain to the “closed” mode so that the slats take a vertical position.
2. Remove the blinds from their brackets. To do this, turn the levers to the right to open the latch mechanism. Lifting slightly, remove the curtain rod.
3. Move the slats into the bathroom and hang them above the bathtub.
4. Apply a touchless car wash product to the curtain. Active foam will lift all dirt, including dust, grease and soot deposits within 2 minutes.
5. Rinse off the detergent with clean water using a shower head.
6. Let the water drain and wipe the curtain dry with a microfiber cloth.
7. Spray with an antistatic agent to reduce future contamination.
8. Hang blinds on the window.

The method is good in everything except the price. Car shampoos are quite expensive, and if you don’t have a car, buying such a product just to wash your curtains twice a year can be done with cheaper options. However, you will have to spend much more time cleaning.

How to remove a stain from the surface of a roller blind?

Dirt on curtains can form for various reasons. For example, in the kitchen they could appear from food and drinks, or they could be left by small children while playing or carelessly handling paints or felt-tip pens.

Therefore, you need to know how to clean roller blinds from stains. The most common and effective means include:

1. Stationery eraser. The main thing is not to overdo it, as it can erase the protective layer from the fabric.
2. Whiteners and stain removers made from natural ingredients. They will help you quickly deal with even the most difficult stains. It is very important to make sure before use that they do not contain aggressive chemicals or chlorine.
3. Wet wipes. They will help remove greasy food residues and will not leave behind streaks.

It is better to try to prevent stains from forming. For example, if fabric roller blinds are hanging in the kitchen, then they need to be raised completely while cooking. Splashes of food or various liquids will not be able to get on the fabric. The same should be done if they are installed in a children's room.

It is much easier to prevent paints or markers from getting on rolled fabric than to then remove stains from its surface.

Cheap method for cleaning horizontal aluminum slats

To work you will need:

• kitchen sponges;
• glass or dish cleaner (you can use an all-purpose kitchen cleaner);
• pure water;
• microfiber cloths;
• textile gloves or regular socks;
• spray.

1. Brush off the dust from the slats with a dry cloth or soft brush. This is good to do with downy brooms to remove dust. If you don’t have one on your household, you can simply vacuum the blinds while closed.
2. Remove the blinds from the window and soak the slats in warm water. This is convenient to do in the bath. Add a capful of all-purpose cleaner to the water. It is advisable to choose a chemical that does not leave streaks.
3. If there is no place to soak (for example, a shower stall in a super-compact house), then simply moisten the slats from a spray bottle with a cleaning solution and leave for a few minutes, not allowing them to dry out. During this time, the dirt will become wet and peel off from the curtain.
4. Then use a sponge to clean off any dirt from each slats. Rinse off the detergent with clean water and wipe with a dry cloth. Handle thin strips with care as... they may become deformed.
5. Flip the blinds over to the other side and repeat the entire process.
6. When both sides are cleaned, all that remains is to return the curtain to the window.

Handwash

This option is for those who are used to acting for sure. You can control the process yourself, so you definitely won’t miss a single spot. It is best to do the washing in the bathtub, because you are unlikely to be able to clean the slats in the basin well. Before washing vertical blinds, prepare all the necessary products. You can use furniture cleaning gel, carpet shampoo, baby laundry detergent, or organic powder.

On a note! The main condition is that the product used does not contain aggressive chemicals or abrasive particles that are poorly soluble in water.

As for cleaning tools, a foam sponge or soft bristle brush works great. Using scratching brushes is taboo, because they can damage the product.

Let's consider the main stages of washing:

• remove all elements from the cornice;
• carefully spread them over the surface of the bath, and then wet them using a shower with warm water (the temperature should not be higher than 30-40ºC);
• in a small bowl, prepare a soap solution from the selected product, and then soak a foam sponge or brush in it;

• slowly, with gentle movements, work the fabric on both sides;
• let stand for 10-20 minutes so that the product penetrates deep into the tissue;
• rinse and treat with the solution again;
• rinse thoroughly and let the water drain;

• perform a similar procedure with each lamella;
• hang the items on a drying rack or hanger and let them dry completely;
• If necessary, iron at minimum temperature.

Note that when processing, circular and transverse movements should be avoided. They can lead to the formation of scratches and streaks, so blinds should be cleaned strictly along the canvas. Also, after washing, the slats can be immediately fixed to the cornice.

Important! In this position, they will not only dry well, but will take on their usual shape and level out.

How to wash blinds without removing them from the windows?

Most of the time is spent wiping the slats on both sides. It will take a few more minutes to remove and hang the curtains on the window. How to optimize the process?

1. Wash blinds without removing them from the window. The procedure for this is almost the same as in the previous version. The difference is that the soap solution must be applied to the slats hanging in the opening, turned to a vertical position. Then they are transferred to the horizontal plane and wiped.
2. Instead of a washcloth, use textile gloves. Wear regular household knitted gloves over rubber gloves. This will allow you to grip each lamella from both sides at once. Cleaning time will be halved.
3. Use special brushes for cleaning blinds. They grab from 2 to 5 lamellas at the same time, and wipe both sides at once.
4. Use highly effective products that quickly and effectively dissolve contaminants.
5. After work, apply car wax or a regular antistatic agent to a clean surface. This will reduce the number of cleanings.
6. Dust or vacuum your blinds regularly.

Useful tips

• — to treat the rotating mechanism, you can use sewing machine oil or automotive lubricant;
• — When using the wet cleaning method, wipe with a soft cloth after drying;
• — Use a toothbrush if the blinds have a relief pattern;
• — You can buy a special nozzle to use for washing blinds;
• — To avoid the formation of corrosion and rust on parts, they must be removed before washing in the bathroom;
• — To ensure that the fabric parts stretch when drying, they are hung and small weights are attached.

Depending on the material from which the blinds are made, you need to follow certain tips and recommendations. Keeping your blinds clean is not that difficult. Choosing the right cleaning method will help improve its efficiency and maintain the attractive appearance and functionality of your blinds for a long time.

Wooden slats

Wood does not like moisture. However, a thin layer of varnish or polish makes it easier to care for the surface. Wooden models need to be regularly wiped or vacuumed to remove dust. Dirt from insects and drops of grease can be removed with furniture care products. To speed up the process, use textile gloves or special brushes.

Wax and polish create a thin film that allows dust to float onto the surface without sticking to it. This makes cleaning much easier and saves time.

How to properly place roller blinds in the interior?

Firstly, in the production of curtains, a special impregnation is used, which prevents dust from penetrating inside the curtain, trapping it on the surface. And secondly, the fabric will not fade or stretch. This allows you to preserve the original appearance of the product for a long time, without resorting to washing or cleaning. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the quality of the fabric before purchasing. It is better to give preference to expensive models that will be carefully treated with an anti-dirt and deformation agent.

Caring for roller blinds includes the following rules:

• Do not hang in close proximity to radiators or other heating devices.
• Do not use in areas with high temperature or humidity.
• Do not hang in places where the risk of rapid contamination of the product is obviously high.
• When cleaning the apartment, roller blinds need to be rolled into a special protective tube.
• It is not recommended to wash curtains made from natural materials.
• Products must not be bent, pierced or cut.

To reduce dust settling, you need to open the window when there is wind. This will quickly refresh the canvas from dust and get rid of any unpleasant odors that may have been absorbed into the fabric. If possible, it is better to avoid frequent washing, as this will lead to rapid deterioration of the material.

How to wash vertical blinds?

Vertical blinds are made of plastic and fabric. Each case has its own characteristics of establishing cleanliness and order.

Plastic

Plastic models cannot be rolled up and machine washed. They are washed, like horizontal aluminum models, on the window using cleaning solutions.

• Close the curtain.
• Move the slats to the open position so that their ribs are facing you. There should be enough space between the slats so that you can work comfortably.
• Apply liquid detergent from a spray bottle to the front and back of the blinds.
• Use a soft sponge or a special brush to wipe each strip of plastic.
• Using a microfiber cloth or any material that absorbs water well, wipe the blinds dry so that there are no streaks left.

Textile

• In order to thoroughly wash heavily soiled textile strips, it is necessary to remove them from their fastenings and free them from weights and control cords. Stack the slats and roll them into a roll.

• Pour water into a large container (large basin or bucket) and add cleaning agent to it according to the instructions.
• Soak the curtain in the cleaning solution for half an hour so that all the dirt is well soaked and comes off the material.
• Use a soft brush or kitchen sponge to wipe each lamella and remove any dirt.
• Hang the strips over the bathtub to allow water to drain off them.
• After drying, hang the fabric in place by inserting weights.
• Secure the controls and enjoy a clean window.

Washing blinds, depending on the type of fabric

Each type of fabric has its own nuances that must be taken into account when washing.

1. Jacquard fabric made of cotton and linen threads does not tolerate wet processing. It may shrink or become deformed during washing. Therefore, manufacturers do not recommend using water to clean such blinds. To maintain cleanliness, it will be enough to go over the fabric with a vacuum cleaner once a week. But if the curtains are so dirty that dry cleaning no longer helps, you can try washing them by hand. But try to avoid soaking and do not use too hot water. It is better to hang washed blinds immediately by inserting weights into the strips. This way, the likelihood that they will sag and not lose their shape will be higher.
2. Pure cotton vertical blinds will shrink over time, so choose a longer option from the start. This fabric can be washed either by hand or in a machine. The water should be warm and the spin mode should be turned off. If the blinds are made of colored fabric, then use a washing powder that has the inscription “Color” on the box.
3. Fiberglass blinds should never be washed. This material can only be cared for using a vacuum cleaner. You can use wet wipes from time to time.
4. Both hand and machine washing are suitable for cleaning polyester. This material is easy to clean and practically does not accumulate dust. The water temperature and washing mode should be the same as for other types of blinds.

The process of washing vertical blinds is quite labor-intensive, but if you follow all the recommendations, the result will be excellent.

How to wash Day-Night blinds

In terms of their structure, Day-Night models are classified as roller blinds and are made from textiles of varying densities. However, due to the fact that they allow you to regulate the light flux like rigid lamellas, we will consider cleaning them in this article.

In order to remove all the accumulated dirt, you need to remove the curtain from the curtain rod and soak it in a large amount of water with the addition of a cleaning agent. This is convenient to do in the bath. Let the chemicals work on the dirt for 15-30 minutes. At this time, you can wash the window and sill.

Carefully, so as not to damage the delicate mesh, wipe the curtain with a soft brush or washcloth. While working, roll the treated area onto the holder bar. Try to avoid wrinkles.

If the product does not need to be rinsed off, simply hang the curtain to dry to allow the water to drain. Otherwise, you need to rinse the fabric well in clean water.

Without waiting for complete drying, hang the curtain on the window. Here it will dry in a straightened state.

Preparatory stage

No matter how well you take care of your curtains, fabric blinds will eventually need to be washed. Of course, high-quality cleaning of suspended slats will be problematic, so you definitely need to know how to remove vertical blinds.

It's quite easy to do this:

• open the window using the control chain;
• move all the slats to one side;

• carefully release the weights from the chain on both sides (hold the clasps with your fingers so as not to break them);
• remove plastic weights from all slats;

• put all structural elements in one place so as not to lose them;
• stand on a stable surface and inspect the cornice;
• Grab the slider with one hand and hold the top of the strip with the other;
• move the long part of the clothespin of the runner aside, and then lift the base of the lamella up and, after a click, sharply lower it down in the direction opposite to the elongated clothespin;

• the product will detach from the mount, and all you have to do is fold it in the right place;
• perform similar manipulations with all elements of the blinds.

Next, you should clean each strip of dust with a damp cloth or vacuum it. This completes the preparatory stage.

Bamboo blinds - what to do

Bamboo is not afraid of dampness. However, sudden changes in humidity can lead to cracking of the reeds. Dust and accumulated dirt can be removed using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. Traces of insects are wiped off with a damp cloth soaked in any suitable product for caring for wooden furniture.

Sometimes there are tips to rinse bamboo with a stream of water. Because the stems swell from moisture, the tie cords may become loose after the curtain dries. Therefore, it is better to refrain from showering and bathing bamboo and limit yourself to wet wiping.

Can fabric blinds be washed?

When making vertical blinds, the fabric is impregnated with a special secret composition. It is designed to protect the surface from fading under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the impregnation has an antibacterial and antistatic effect; dust practically does not settle on such blinds. If you start washing them, over time all this composition will be washed off from the fabric, and it will begin to get dirty much faster, attract dust and lose its color, fading in the sun. To prevent this from happening, you need to know the rules for caring for fabric blinds.

What can't you do with a roller blind?

They, like any other window decorations, curtains, plastic windows, require careful handling. If you ignore basic care rules, this will lead to damage to the product. This will affect not only the appearance of the canvas, but also its performance. Therefore, you should definitely know what not to do with roller blinds:

1. You cannot use the washing machine.
2. Dry assembled.
3. Allow bends to form.
4. Handle carelessly.
5. Iron.

Therefore, to answer the common question: “Is it still possible to wash roller blinds?” The answer will definitely be positive if you follow these simple care rules. This will help extend their life while maintaining their original qualities.

Roller blinds are very popular today due to their practicality and convenience. They can be found in different designs and styles for modern spaces.