17 ways to quickly wash horizontal and vertical blinds

Blinds are one of the most convenient devices for hiding from the sun and prying eyes not only at home, but also in the office. With their help, you can adjust any level of lighting; they are more compact than curtains, easy to use, and also suitable for almost any room. But there is also a minus - vertical and horizontal blinds quickly become dirty. Let's look at 7 simple ways to wash your blinds without spending a lot of time. The frequency of cleaning depends on the room itself, but usually it is 1-2 times a month.

Types of blinds

In order to understand how to properly and effectively wash blinds, you must first understand what types they come in.

The first principle by which classification can be made is the type of construction :

1. Horizontal - the most common, externally they look like thin plastic or metal strips connected by a thick fishing line. The design is simple, but reliable - it will last for many years. Maintenance is easy, but sometimes you have to remove the blinds from the window.
2. Vertical - create a less formal and more cozy atmosphere, and allow sunlight to pass through well.
3. Pleated blinds look like blinds, but in fact they are not. They are fabric folded like an accordion.

Material of manufacture

Their service life, beauty and ease of care depend on the material of the curtains. This is one of the main factors when choosing blinds. The options are as follows.

Aluminum	One of the most popular and “eternal” options. They do not deform or break, but they can heat up in the sun, increasing the temperature in the room. But they do not accumulate dirt and static voltage. It is undesirable to actively use water in maintenance - they will rust.
Plastic	Affordability and ease of care are some of the main reasons why people choose plastic options. Plastic does not heat up, does not give off heat, but can fade in the sun. And in general, its service life is quite short.
Textile	Most often we are talking about synthetic fabrics. Thanks to this, the slats will not lose color in the sun. But it is best to use it not in the kitchen, but in the bedroom, nursery or living room.
Jacquard	Some of the most expensive options. They are a beautiful textured fabric with voluminous embroidery. The pattern can be either contrasting or matching.
Tree	Rarely found due to high cost and difficult care. But they look very beautiful, and are also environmentally friendly. A bad option for the kitchen because they absorb grease, water and odors.
Bamboo	Suitable for almost any design. This option combines beauty, environmental friendliness and practicality.

DIY wallpaper blinds: step-by-step instructions with photos and videos

Do I need to remove it from the window and how to do it?

Of course, you can simply wipe the surface of the blinds with a cloth, shake off the dust and call it a day. But for a better and more efficient part, the lamellas must be removed.

Horizontal blinds are the most difficult to remove because you have to find the retainer and get rid of it. You may even need a screwdriver. There are several types of fasteners.

On brackets	The simplest type of fastener - you just need to move it to the side, and the structure can be easily removed
Tris	A lever is already used here, which first needs to be pushed with your fingers
Clamp clamps	The system itself is simple, but requires the use of a screwdriver
L-mounts	First, remove the plugs on the sides, then use a thin screwdriver to press out the ears inside the cornice. Afterwards the front wall reaches towards itself

You can see how to properly remove horizontal plastic blinds for cleaning in the following video.

How to remove horizontal blinds

If the blinds are made of hard materials, such as wood, metal or plastic, then you must first press on the brackets and then pull the entire device down towards you. The slats must be closed to avoid damage.

As for vertical blinds, the situation here is much simpler, because each lamella is attached to the cornice independently using a plug. You only need to remove the plug, which will allow you to remove the lamella itself.

The following video will show you how to remove slats from vertical blinds:

How to remove vertical blinds? / How to remove vertical blinds?

How to clean heavy stains?

Heavy contamination usually includes tobacco residue, gas dust and traces of food (for example, fruit juice). A steam cleaner can easily handle them, as can the use of chemicals (for example, window cleaning liquid).

If you decide to use steam cleaning, first set the steam temperature to the minimum. Gradually it will need to be increased. Such measures are necessary to preserve the material from chips and breaks, which so often occur with plastic blinds. Carefully direct the steam onto the lamella and slowly move it across the surface.

Attention!

Drops of dirt will definitely run off, so remove them with a rag.

How to easily clean blinds?

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question, because the process itself and detergents depend on several factors:

• type of blinds - vertical, horizontal, removable, fixed;
• materials - fabric, aluminum, plastic, wood and others.

The most common type of slats is horizontal, so we’ll start with this review of easy and quick cleaning methods.

Horizontal blinds

One of the first thoughts that comes to mind when wanting to wash horizontal blinds is to use a wet cloth. As a result, this process takes too much time, since it is necessary to wipe each lamella, and in addition to this, terrible dirty stains remain, very noticeable on light-colored models.

Of course, you can rinse the rag several times or change the water in the basin, and then wipe it with a dry cloth. But this is a rather long and tedious process. It is better to choose a method for washing blinds from the list below.

Method number 1. Spray

To wash horizontal blinds using this method, you don’t need any rags at all. All you need:

• spray bottle with water;
• a fluffy brush or brush with long, soft bristles for washing blinds.

The process is also simple : you need to brush the dust off the slats with a brush or brush, while at the same time spraying it into the air from a spray bottle (!) so that the dust that flies off settles on the floor and not the blinds. That is, there is no need to wet the slats themselves.

This option is simple, fast and effective.

Method number 2. How to quickly remove dust with a vacuum cleaner

It would be great if the vacuum cleaner came with a small attachment for cleaning furniture or cars - that’s what we’ll need. It must be connected to the vacuum cleaner and turned on. Next, you need to move this nozzle along the lamellas, starting from the top ones.

The transition from the upper to the lower slats is important, since this is the method that will allow you to get rid of dust as quickly as possible without raising it again.

Method 3. Rag or napkins

If there are any more serious contaminants on the blinds than dust, then you will have to use heavier artillery. This time you will need:

• napkin or rag for wiping dust;
• spray bottle with soapy water or window cleaner.

The blinds must be set to the “closed” position - this will make the cleaning process much easier. You need to work in small areas:

1. Spray the slats with a spray bottle until they become slightly damp;
2. Wipe with a dry cloth.

After the entire surface on this side becomes cleaner and dry, you need to turn the blinds over and repeat the procedure there.

There is a possibility that drops of the solution will get on the window itself, so you will have to wipe it too to avoid marks and stains.

Method number 4. Napkins

This method combines several previous ones. If the vacuum cleaner does not have a special attachment, then you can still use it - without any attachment at all. It is necessary to vacuum the blinds, and then arm yourself with wet wipes - regular or special for cleaning - and wipe each lamella, starting with the top ones.

Lifehack! With one napkin you can immediately cover both the top and bottom of the lamella.

At the end, you can additionally go over with a dry cloth to prevent streaks.

Method No. 5. Sponge with detergent

If you have to deal with severe contamination, you can use more radical methods of washing. For one of them you will need:

• latex gloves;
• sponge;
• fleece napkin;
• soap solution or dishwashing liquid;
• container with water;
• clean cloth.

The blinds are closed, and the sponge is soaked in a soap solution. Now you need to wipe all the slats with a well-wrung out sponge. Stains may form and should be removed with a damp fleece cloth.

At the end of the work, you need to walk with a dry, clean cloth to remove excess water. If this point is avoided, then:

• traces of dried drops may remain;
• wooden blinds may swell;
• Rust may appear on horizontal aluminum ones.

Method number 6. In bathroom

If soap sponges cannot cope with the layer of dirt and grease, then you can clean the blinds in the bathroom. But this is only allowed with specimens made of plastic or metal.

Here you can simply rinse the slats under strong pressure from a tap or shower, or even soak the blinds in a bathtub filled with soapy water for a couple of hours. After this, you need to thoroughly rinse the slats again with clean water from the tap or shower. For faster drying, you can use a hair dryer. After thorough drying, you can return the window curtain alternative.

Still, this method is perfect only for plastic slats. For metal (also called iron) options, this method of cleaning can cause rust, so at a minimum, they must be thoroughly dried. In addition, the lamella rotation mechanisms are lubricated with oil or silicone paste.

Method No. 7. Special equipment

The stores now offer a huge variety of different devices for cleaning blinds. One of the most popular is the trident-shaped brush. Such a unit can wipe up to 6 slats at once, which will greatly reduce the cleaning time, since both sides of the blinds are wiped at once.

Cleaning methods depending on the material

Owners of plastic products are luckier than others, because in this case cleaning will not require a lot of time and effort. Simply wipe the slats with a sponge dipped in soapy water.

The situation is similar with fiberglass products, because they are also not afraid of water. In addition, they can not only be wiped with a wet cloth, but also vacuumed, and even washed.

When cleaning metal products, you can also use aqueous solutions of detergents, and you can easily wash away dirt using a regular damp cloth or napkin.

Cleaning metal panels using a special sponge

It is known that wood is very sensitive to moisture; prolonged contact with water can cause deformation of the product. This is why when cleaning wooden blinds it is best to use little or no water.

Fabric products require a particularly delicate approach. Manufacturers of such products strongly recommend not using water when cleaning, but using exclusively dry mixtures.

Vertical blinds

Caring for vertical slats can sometimes be even more difficult than for horizontal ones. This applies to cases where the slats cannot be removed or unfastened.

Instances made of polymer materials are inexpensive, but they are very easy to clean - just wipe with a cloth, so when choosing, it is better to focus on such models.

Method No. 8. Wash the blinds without removing them from the windows

First, you need to prepare the blinds themselves, namely, turn them to the “open” state, that is, with the edges facing the window. After this, you should spray the slats with soapy water from a spray bottle, and then rub thoroughly with a sponge or brush.

After finishing cleaning, you need to wipe each lamella with a cloth that absorbs moisture well. If you take this process carelessly, streaks may appear on the fabric slats.

Method number 9. Collapsed

If the vertical slats can be removed for washing, then this must be done, and at the same time get rid of parts that cannot be washed. After this, all the strips must be carefully folded and rolled into a roll, as in the photo below.

This roll is placed in a container of water with cleaning agent. Leave the lamellas for half an hour or an hour, and then carefully wipe each lamella separately with a sponge. Rinse with water and hang over the bathtub so that the water can drain. When the blinds are dry, you can return them to their place.

Features of materials

The easiest blinds to clean are plastic ones. But they do not look as elegant as specimens made of wood or fabric. But you have to pay for beauty with more complex cleaning, for example, wooden models will not survive washing in the bathroom, and soap stains will remain on fabric ones.

Method No. 10. Steam for fabric blinds

But rag blinds can be treated with a steam cleaner, but to do this, the slats must be wrapped in a sheet or other fabric so as not to damage them. The steam will remove dust from the product, and the high temperature will disinfect it.

Method No. 11. Automatic in the washing machine (for fabric blinds)

If the blinds are made of fabric, they can be washed using the gentle wash cycle. To do this, you need to remove all removable parts, roll it up, as in the photo above, and put it in a special bag for careful washing so as not to wrinkle.

After washing, you must immediately remove the product from the machine and hang it to dry. If this is possible, weights can be attached to the slats so that they straighten during drying.

Tree

Wood is one of the most difficult materials when it comes to care. It is not advisable to use water, as the slats can be seriously damaged. The maximum possible is a slightly damp cloth or cloth.

It is much easier to vacuum such blinds or brush off the dust with a brush. You can use a special polish that will repel dust - this will help maintain a neat appearance for a longer period.

In general, dust should not be allowed to accumulate on wooden surfaces, since some of it can literally be absorbed, leaving marks.

If any stain appears, it must be treated only with special products that are designed for wood. You have to be prepared for the fact that the stain will never be washed off completely - wood can absorb so deeply.

One of the original ways to care for wooden blinds is rubbing them with a piece of sheep's wool. This method is often mentioned as one of the most gentle. But one of the easiest ways to deal with wood so that it gets dirty less and is easier to clean is to coat it with varnish.

Bamboo

Bamboo, unlike wood, is not afraid of moisture, but at the same time it looks just as beautiful. The only thing that bamboo will not survive is temperature changes.

It is best to deal with such blinds using a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush. If any stains occur, they can be wiped off with a soft cloth, after moistening it in a wood furniture care product.

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 wash Day-Night blinds?

The “Day-Night” design can more likely be attributed to roller blinds rather than blinds, but they also need to be cleaned. To do this, the curtains must be removed and soaked in a bathtub in a washing solution. After this, carefully wash off the dirt with a brush, being careful not to damage the mesh. Then the product is rinsed, dried and hung back.

The advantage is that with “Day-Night” curtains you don’t have to wait for the product to dry completely, but immediately hang it on the window if necessary.

How to get rid of grease and dirt?

In living rooms or bedrooms, the main problem for blinds is dust. If we talk about the kitchen, then the “filling” can be much more serious - fat, dirt and even soot. But at the same time, the whole family gathers in the kitchen, and guests are invited here, so the room should always look neat and have a decent appearance.

There are several most effective ways to combat stains on blinds. One of them has already been discussed many times today - soapy water with a high concentration of soap or dishwashing detergent. All that is required is to thoroughly wipe the slats. Another option is to soak them in a solution. But there is an alternative way.

Method No. 12. Vinegar

Be sure to protect your hands with rubber gloves. It is necessary to dilute vinegar 9% in water in proportions 1:2. A rag or sponge is soaked in this solution and the slats are wiped with it. Vinegar will dissolve even the oldest stains of dirt and grease.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

5. 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.
6. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

Advice from experienced housewives

You can clean the blinds from dirt not only with soapy water, which came up so often in today’s review. Experienced housewives have their own secrets, which they really like to share.

Method No. 13. Bath product

This method of cleaning blinds is only suitable for plastic products. All you need is a cleaner for acrylic bathtubs: apply it to a damp sponge and distribute it over the slats.

After a quarter of an hour, the product is washed off under powerful water pressure. This life hack is suitable for cases when plastic blinds are in poor condition, but you don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning.

Method No. 14. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

This method is suitable for adding whiteness to well-worn white blinds. The recipe is quite simple:

• a glass of warm water;
• half a glass of soda;
• half a teaspoon of peroxide.

Mix all the ingredients and apply the resulting mixture to the stains with a toothbrush. You can go over the entire length of the slats with a sponge. Then rinse thoroughly.

Method No. 15. Soda and soap

If you have colored fabric blinds that are a little dirty, you can use the same soda, but mix it not with peroxide, but with shavings of laundry soap. The soap is grated, but it generates a lot of dust, so a face mask and an open window are required.

Mix the ingredients, add warm water to form a paste and apply to the slats with a sponge. Then rinse under running water.

Method No. 16. Stationery eraser

If the blinds are hard, that is, made of wood, plastic, metal, bamboo, then some dirt can be removed using a regular office eraser. You just need to rub vigorously.

Method No. 17. Alcohol

Alcohol can handle small and fresh stains. It must be applied using a damp cotton cloth.

Method No. 18. From nicotine

If people often smoke indoors, an unpleasant yellow-grayish coating will form on the slats, which is very difficult to get rid of. Only special cleaning products for car showrooms can cope with this: people often smoke in cars, so manufacturers produce very effective products.

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.

Lifehack for prevention

To prevent dust from settling on the slats longer, they can be treated with a special antistatic agent. But the prices for such products are quite high, especially since there is an elementary way to make a similar antistatic agent at home.

To do this, mix a capful of fabric softener with the same capful of water. A damp cloth is soaked in the solution, and then the slats are wiped. It will be even more convenient if you put cotton gloves on top of rubber gloves and coat both sides with your hands.

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:

1. 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.
2. It is recommended to remove dirt from top to bottom. Otherwise, you can only stain the already clean slats.
3. It is not recommended to wash the assembled textile structure, because the lamellas can stick to each other and lose their original appearance.
4. Wood structures are strictly prohibited from being washed with water, otherwise they will absorb moisture and then swell.
5. 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

Tips for use

To maximize the attractive appearance of new blinds, you must follow the tips and rules for their operation:

1. For the kitchen, choose plastic slats that are easy to wash and remove. It is better to avoid fabric ones - not only are they difficult to wash, but they also absorb odors.
2. Use only gentle household chemicals. Regular soapy water can remove most stains.
3. It is much easier and more efficient to dry clean fabric slats. This pleasure is not so expensive - a meter of cleaning the most expensive jacquard blinds starts from 250 rubles.
4. If the vacuum cleaner is too powerful and the suction power is not adjustable, then it is better not to use it on blinds.
5. After cleaning, do not forget about the antistatic agent.
6. If you don’t have a suitable cloth, you can use a regular sock placed on your hand.
7. Wipe after each cooking to avoid the accumulation of large amounts of grease. Or at least turn on the hood while cooking fatty foods.
8. Before using a new detergent or recipe, it is better to test it on a small and inconspicuous area of ​​the lamella.
9. Before soaking the blinds, you need to close them, or set them to “sun protection” mode. If this is not done, then the lamellas will not only not be washed, but will also stick together.
10. It is undesirable to use abrasives and hard brushes.

If you spend up to five minutes on the slats once a day and shake off the dust, the blinds will always look neat and aesthetically pleasing, and more complex cleaning can be done much less frequently.