Caring for Your Blinds

Window blinds are not only extremely versatile, they are also often made from a variety high tech fabrics that have often been treated with special finishes to cope with the demands made on them from sunlight, damp and day-to-day living.

Keeping Venetian Blinds Clean & Dust Free

Venetian blinds are perhaps one of the easiest types of blinds to keep in pristine condition, making them ideal particularly as kitchen or bathroom blinds; particularly because steam and damp conditions will not have an adverse effect on the finish. Generally speaking, to clean a Venetian blind all that is required is a dusting with a feather duster, a soft, dry cloth or vacuuming the blind using the special upholstery attachment.

The blades of a Venetian blind can be wiped over with luke warm water with a very mild detergent, care being taken in the instance of a wooden venetian blind to ensure that the cloth is very well wrung out or the damp cloth may produce warping of the wooden blind slats. Venetian blinds can be kept in an immaculate condition with special venetian blind cleaning tools available from hardware outlets.

Metal venetian blinds can be removed and placed in a large container of cool soapy water, then rinsed carefully and hung to dry. Abrasives or chemical cleaners should never be used as they will damage the finish of the blind. Wooden venetian blinds that have been stained may be wiped with a quality wood preservative to maintain the finish of the blind. Lemon oil can be used to try to remove an accidental spillage.

Simple Roller Blind Maintenance

Roller blinds usually stay in good condition longer as they are rolled up out of the way during the day when the household is often subjected to more vigorous activities. In a damp bathroom or kitchen, when the blind has been used in very steamy conditions, it may be advisable to let the blind dry out a little before rolling it up.

Cleaning a roller blind is not difficult, it is merely a case of a quick vacuum with the dust head attachment or a flick with a feather duster. Some roller blinds are machine washable, but ensure that the blind is completely dry before it is rolled up or mould could form on the blind. Some roller blinds have a special DuPont Teflon coating which will help to protect the blind from general day to day usage. If your roller blind does not specifically state that it is dry cleanable or washable, then do not attempt to wash or clean it as the blind may well be ruined. It may be possible to remove stains with a fabric cleaning wipe.

Caring for Vertical & Roman Blinds

Vertical blinds are sometimes machine washable, but only if it is clearly stated. The occasional clean with a static duster or the upholstery head from your vacuum cleaner on a slow setting should be all that is required to keep your blinds in mint condition. If your vertical blinds can be washed, then never be tempted to put them in a tumble dryer, they will ruin. The blinds should be either machine washed on the stated setting, or placed in a large container, the bath is great for this, in luke warm soapy water and then hung from a line in a vertical position, left to hang straight without any folds. Stains may be removed with an upholstery spray lightly applied and left to dry.

Roman blinds usually can be washed carefully by hand or on the stated machine setting or dry cleaned. If the fabric has been treated with a special coating, then the roman blinds can be wiped with a damp cloth. To remove normal surface dust, vacuum the roman blind with the vacuum cleaner set on the minimum suction setting and use the upholstery head. Upholstery or fabric wipes are handy to remove any stains or finger marks.