How to Clean Blinds
Wiping slat by slat feels endless, but with a cotton glove you just run your fingers along them. The method depends on the material.
What you need
Supplies
- A few drops of mild detergent
- Lukewarm water
Tools
- Cotton gloves
- Rubber gloves
- Vacuum brush attachment
- Microfiber cloth
- Bowl
How to do it
- 01
Close the slats and vacuum
Tilt the slats fully closed in one direction and vacuum from top to bottom with the brush attachment. Close them the other way and repeat to clean both sides.
- 02
Put on gloves and prepare soapy water
Put a cotton glove on over a rubber glove. Mix lukewarm water with a few drops of mild detergent in a bowl.
- 03
Run your fingers along the slats
Dip your gloved fingers in the soapy water, squeeze out the excess, then pinch a slat between thumb and forefinger and slide from end to end. You clean the top and bottom in one pass. Rinse the glove as it gets dirty.
- 04
Finish with a dry glove
Run a dry cotton glove or microfiber cloth along the slats once more. Water left on aluminum slats causes marks.
- 05
Wipe the cords and headrail
Wipe dust from the cords and the top of the headrail with a damp cloth. Dust there falls every time you move the slats.
Be careful
- Wooden blinds warp and discolor with water. Use only a dry microfiber cloth and a little furniture cleaner for marks.
- When washing blinds in the bathtub, keep the headrail mechanism dry. Water causes rust and breakdowns.
- Never lean out of the window to clean the outside.
Malkkeum tips
- Closing the slats and vacuuming every two weeks greatly extends the time between deep cleans.
- Blinds near the kitchen get sticky with grease. Use slightly stronger soapy water.
- Lower roller blinds fully, vacuum from top to bottom and dab only the stains with mild detergent.
Blinds are dust shelves
Every slat is a tiny shelf. Dust from the window piles up on each one and scatters into the room every time you open or close them. Because the dust is less visible than on curtains, blinds are easy to neglect.
By material
| Material | How to clean | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Cotton glove with soapy water | Staying wet (water marks) |
| PVC | Cotton glove with soapy water; can be removed and washed | Hot water (warping) |
| Wood | Dry microfiber, furniture cleaner | Water |
| Roller / zebra (fabric) | Vacuum brush; dab stains only | Washing machine, rubbing |
FAQ
How do I clean zebra (dual-layer) blinds? Vacuum them like roller blinds and dab stains with a towel dampened with mild detergent. Check the label to see whether the fabric can be fully washed.
