Like most other things in the home, vertical blinds will need a good cleaning once in a while! Luckily, though vertical blinds aren't that easy to clean, they don't need doing very often. With regular maintenance, they can last a good while.
Well, dusting them once every few months and one annual thorough cleaning should be enough for both materials – vinyl and fabric. However, you also have to consider where the blinds are located.
As with any blind style, you may notice a build-up of dust and dirt on the slats of your blinds over time. Vertical blinds attract less dust compared to other styles, however, they will still need a deep clean from time to time.
Dust Your Blinds
A damp cloth should pick up the dust nicely, but you could also use a traditional feather duster or another cleaning cloth. Move from top to bottom so you capture all the dust and don't go over areas you've already cleaned. To help remove all the dust, use your vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
They should be laid flat to dry still and not put in the dryer. The fabric of the vertical blinds is quite delicate and therefore can fray. You should only need to do a deep clean like this every once in a while, as long as you maintain them regularly.
Remember: Don't put vertical slats in the washing machine or tumble dryer – even inside a pillowcase they can fray and even shrink. Any stains that have appeared over the years may not come out during 1 wash – tough stains may need multiple washes.
“Vacuum the blinds from top to bottom to ensure that they stay in place. You can also use a feather duster or soft paint brush to remove excess dust, or for more stubborn stains, you can use warm water and dish soap.” This method generally works well for wood, aluminum, and vertical blinds.
Household items including white vinegar, lemon juice and tea tree oil mixed with water are a few of the best ways to clean vertical blinds with unsightly mould on them.
VERTICAL BLIND TRACKS and WANDS need regular yearly lubrication to keep the mechanism functioning properly. But WAIT! Make sure you are using a SILICONE based lubricant. Other products tend to congeal dust rather than dispel.
While you can have them dry cleaned, there are a few cheap and easy ways you can clean your fabric vertical blinds right at home. Avoid taking them down by spot-cleaning the hanging panels, or give your fabric blinds a deeper clean with a soapy soak.
For vertical blinds, remove the slats from the track. Fill the bathtub with a few inches of lukewarm water and a touch of very mild detergent. Immerse the slats in the water, rubbing them with your hands or a soft brush to get rid of the ingrained dirt and dust.
Made-to-measure vertical blinds commonly last 15 years plus. Readymade vertical blinds don't come close to this, but will potentially last up to around 5 years.
Can You Steam Clean Fabric Vertical Blinds? A handheld steam cleaner must be used for this type of cleaning, but it may require a person to pay too much attention as heat may damage the blinds.
As HowStuffWorks explains, the dryer sheets actually leave a positive electrical charge on the blinds, which then repels the dust from settling. The outlet notes this hack can be applied to any surface that tends to collect dust, not just window blinds.
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes may be appropriate for vinyl, plastic, aluminum and sealed wood, and can easily wipe away built up dust and grime. If allowed, wipe each slat with Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, gently wiping the top and underside of the slats at the same. Use additional wipes as needed.
Get vertical blinds, roller shades, or cellular shades! With traditional horizontal blinds, dust can settle on each slat... agitating pesky allergies, or forcing you to clean your blinds often. But vertical blinds and roller shades don't have a surface to catch dust, making them virtually allergy and maintenance free!
Since their heyday in the '80s, vertical blinds may have faded from view a little, but have never truly gone out of fashion. And they are now enjoying a resurgence in popularity, although, thankfully, we've moved on from the bright, gaudy styles (hello mirrored gold vinyl) that were considered trendy back in the '80s.
Damp can also cause mould to grow on the blind fabric. This is particularly prominent if the blind sits flush to the glass. Mould is an indicator that the blind is too close to the glass and you should consider moving it away. A good solution is to completely remove the blind and allow it to fully dry.
1) PVC Vertical Blinds or Blackout blinds can be cleaned in-situ with a soft damp cloth soaked in warm water and applied to each PVC slat.
Before you put the headrail back up, you might want to use a silicone-based spray like WD40 to lubricate the tilt rod and ensure your blinds open and close smoothly. Don't try and do this later on with the louvres attached however, as this might stain the louvre fabric.
Fill your bathtub with warm, sudsy water (use a grease-busting dish soap) and give the blinds a good soak. Then gently wash them with a sponge, wiping along the edges, where dust tends to accumulate most. Drain the dirty water, and then rinse the blinds thoroughly.