Blinds have become a window decoration item that everyone has long been accustomed to. With the help of a variety of types and colors, you can create a bright indoor interior. The products are a replacement for conventional curtains and are very convenient to use.
Blinds device
Let's look at the components needed for installation:
- - Cornice. It is a load-bearing element. Allows the slats to move horizontally. It is recommended to purchase a cornice made not of plastic, but of aluminum.
- - Runners. They are attached to the cornice and hold the planks. Made from plastic.
- - Weights. They add weight to the slats and make them heavier as they are built into the bottom edge of each.
- — Connecting chain. Connects the planks from below in the order in which they are located.
- — Chain of control and rope. A rope holds the slats together when you open the window, and a chain is used to rotate the slats 180 degrees.
To install the blinds, you need to prepare all the tools and read the instructions for assembling the structure. Tools for assembling vertical blinds: hammer, level, screwdriver, screwdrivers, fasteners, drill and hammer drill. Blinds can be installed on a wall, window or ceiling.
Dry cleaning: pros and cons
Some people do not have time to do household chores on their own, while others are simply unsure of the success of home cleaning.
Let's figure out in what cases it is better to seek help from professionals:
- for serious dirt and stubborn stains that cannot be cleaned at home;
- if you are dealing with expensive material, the type of which is difficult to determine;
- the instructions for use and care indicate that vertical blinds cannot be washed;
- the canvas contains an original ornament that may fade or be washed away from exposure to water;
- the curtain is equipped with many decorative elements or has an unusual covering.
If you are not sure that you can cope with complex stains and the unusual design of the blinds, leave the washing to specialists.
Of course, the procedure is not cheap, but you can definitely be sure of the integrity of the product and an excellent result. In addition, you can spend the freed time on important matters or caring for loved ones.
How to wash vertical blinds
First, carefully vacuum the slats, move them to one side, remove them and roll them into rolls. If the slats are made of fabric, they can be washed in a solution of warm water and soap or powder.
Washing methods:
- - Taking pictures from the windows. When cleaning the slats with a sponge and soapy water, streaks may remain. To properly clean the blinds, it is recommended to wash them in the bathroom under running water. Dish soap can be used to get rid of grease on blinds. The procedure must be repeated 3-4 times, each time using clean water.
Important: the method can be used to wash not only vertical, but also horizontal blinds
- - Without removing from the windows. It is recommended to clean in a certain direction, from top to bottom, the slats should be lowered parallel to the window. The space where the slats cover each other is cleaned of dust; to do this, you need to turn the blinds 180 degrees;
- — Treat the slats with glass cleaner and close the blinds;
- — Wipe each lamella from top to bottom using a cloth that absorbs moisture well.
You can also use antistatic agent and water for washing. It is recommended to wear rubber gloves and cotton gloves over them. Wet your hands in the solution and wipe the slats on both sides. After this treatment, dust will not accumulate so quickly.
How to remove vertical blinds
Using a chain, the blinds are opened and turned, and the panels are moved to one side with a rope. We make sure that the slats do not twist. Carefully, so that the fastening is not damaged, remove the weights from each lamella, remove the bar on one side and the slider attached to it. Roll each removed lamella separately. Removing the cornice is inconvenient; it is more practical to use the method described above.
Chemical detergents
You should not use washing powder to wash blinds made of any type of fabric. It leaves whitish marks and streaks. Products containing chlorine and other caustic components are also not suitable for this purpose.
It is better to choose a liquid detergent for washing delicate fabrics or wool: BioMio, Sodasan, Vorsinka, Help, Lion Acron, Laska, Care and Repair . A neutral shower gel will also work.
Shavings made from baby soap are less effective for heavily soiled areas. If the curtains are moderately or lightly stained, this option will help to wash them without ruining the structure. You can buy shavings, but it won’t be too difficult to grate a piece of baby soap on a coarse grater.
Compositions for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture help wash away stubborn dust and dirt: Shampoo 5+ Carpets, Drop Vox, Help, Vanish, Selena Carpet, Antipyatin, Nordland .
It is better to entrust expensive curtains to professionals than to experiment at home. Dry cleaning will remove all dirt and refresh the impregnation of the curtains.
How to wash horizontal blinds
The complexity of cleaning and time depend on the width of the slats and the degree of contamination. The narrower the slats, the longer cleaning will take. It will be easier to clean wide slats.
It is recommended to pre-clean the blinds with a vacuum cleaner. It is more convenient to wash horizontal slats in the bathroom after removing them from the window. It is necessary to rinse them in the shower in a vertical position, using a sponge to clean. Removing the slats will need someone to hold it, so you will need help during the procedure. Or prepare a bath with water, add a cleaning agent and place horizontal blinds in it.
To prevent corrosion, it is recommended to wipe metal and aluminum slats with a dry cloth.
Important: the more often you use the brush, the more dirty these blinds will become.
Removing heavy soiling
A washing machine is not suitable for getting rid of stubborn stains. It is better to soak the roll of lamellas in the same form in a basin of water in which the stain remover is dissolved. This will cause less damage to the structure of the material and effectively clean it of contaminants.
You can add one of the following liquid laundry detergents: BioMio, Laska.
In addition to industrial cleaning chemicals, they use folk remedies.
Ammonia
Perfectly cleans and refreshes blinds. When diluted in water, it does not leave the unpleasant odor that is characteristic of this drug. For 1 bucket of liquid, 1 bottle of alcohol. If the slats are white, they can be soaked completely. Otherwise, just wipe with a dampened sponge.
Lemon juice or acid
They even get rid of coffee and tea stains. 1 packet of powder per 1 bucket of water. Clean local contamination with a sponge soaked in a solution of the same concentration.
Ammonia with soda
Removes difficult and old stains. For 1 tbsp. l. pour soda and ammonia solution to make a liquid slurry. Soak a rag in it and wipe the contaminated area. You can even get rid of ink this way.
Cleaning blinds made of various materials
Materials from which blinds are made: fabric, bamboo, aluminum, plastic, iron, wood, plastic, jacquard. Fabric blinds are made of polyester and treated with a special compound. Aluminum blinds are often installed on glazed balconies; they are resistant to aggressive external environments and when opening windows you don’t have to worry about the condition of the blinds. Wooden blinds are made from light wood and varnished to protect them from moisture. Plastic blinds are not afraid of moisture, they are easy to clean, they are installed both in offices and apartments.
The material influences the choice of cleaning method.
How to wash aluminum blinds
There is a special method for washing metal blinds. Prepare a solution by adding vinegar or detergent to water, moisten a napkin in it and wipe each lamella. It is recommended to wash each side of the lamella at the same time and to avoid bending the slats, do it delicately. You can use a sponge and special tongs-brush.
Wet wipes are suitable for cleaning if the slats are not very dirty. Metal blinds should not be soaked in water for a long time, as this can cause corrosion on the slats. When cleaning, it is not recommended to use detergent with abrasive particles, as they can damage the surface of metal blinds.
Important: after wet cleaning of metal blinds, each slat must be wiped dry
Washing plastic products
To clean plastic blinds, you can use soap and water. Prepare a solution, moisten a napkin in it and wipe the slats.
Cleaning methods:
- — Clean each side of the plank with a damp cloth, and replace it with a clean one when dirty;
- — Prepare a solution of washing powder soap, moisten a lint-free cloth in it and wipe.
- — The lamella can be quickly wiped with a special brush-tongs.
It is recommended to remove heavily soiled blinds, place them in the bathroom and rinse them in the shower. Apply the soap solution and leave to act for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry well. Or add a cleaning agent to the water and place the strips in the solution and leave for an hour. When finished, rinse with water.
Important: in order not to damage or bend the slats, it is not recommended to wash under strong water pressure.
Wash fabric items
To clean fabric blinds, it is better to use the dry method. You can use professional dry cleaning services or remove dirt and dust at home.
Cleaning methods at home:
- - Using a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner must have a special attachment for cleaning upholstered furniture. Cleaning should be carried out at the lowest power.
- - In the washing machine. Blinds need to be removed from the windows, disassembled into parts and items that cannot be washed removed. Roll the slats and place them in a laundry bag. When washing, use a delicate cycle and washing powder without bleach. After washing, dry the fabric strips well.
Cleaning should be done once every 2-3 months. Blinds may lose their original appearance due to frequent washing.
Other cleaning methods
If the blinds are cleaned regularly, you can leave the structure on the windows and wash it with a vacuum cleaner using various attachments. This method is suitable if not a lot of dust has settled. Use glass cleaner, a solution of water and soap or shampoo. Clean with a brush or damp cloth.
Detergents. Detergents used for cleaning: soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, antistatic agent, window cleaner. You can also use wet wipes or office equipment wipes.
Selecting a detergent
This is a very important point. The drug must exactly match the composition of the textile, otherwise it can ruin it. Synthetic products are best suited. They are designed for low-temperature processing, so they wash well in cool water. No need to choose powder. Its granules do not dissolve well. There is a risk that undissolved grains will end up on the material. They can discolor or, conversely, stain a fragment of the product.
Cleaning pastes or gels are considered a good choice. They dissolve quickly, rinse better and do not leave streaks. The recommended dosage should be followed. Otherwise, there will be too much foam, and it will be difficult to rinse it completely. Tips on how to wash blinds often suggest using soap. It washes textiles well. To obtain a cleaning solution, laundry or baby soap is rubbed into shavings and then dissolved.
Rinse aids should not be used. The fabric of the lamellas is impregnated with compounds that repel dust and moisture, so they will not have any impact. Bleach is prohibited. If stains appear, they are treated with laundry soap and an alcohol solution. Stain removers are allowed, provided they do not contain chlorine. Before use, they are tested on an inconspicuous fragment so as not to spoil the entire strip.
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.
Machine washable
The slats can also be washed in an automatic machine on the “delicate cycle”; for this, the rolled-up blinds are placed in a washing net. Instead of a mesh, an ordinary nylon stocking is sometimes used; it holds perfectly, and the blinds do not unfold during the washing process.
Add washing powder and rinse conditioner to the compartment; the spin function should be turned off. When the machine has finished washing, take out the package, let the water drain and you can hang it up.
Wooden
Sun protection systems made of wood look very rich and beautiful. As a rule, the surface of natural wood planks repels most dust, but, of course, they cannot cope with grease and dirt on their own.
Wooden blinds are usually cleaned without removing them. To do this, use polishes and special products that are designed to care for wood.
If the system is too dirty, then take into account the fact that moisture may cause the wood to swell. Therefore, use wet cleaning only to remove specific dirt, and then be sure to wipe dry.
Features of washing different types of fabric
Jacquard with added cotton or linen threads
Blinds made from natural materials such as cotton, jacquard and linen are not recommended to be washed at all, as they can shrink significantly or become deformed. They are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment once a week, this way they last much longer, but if the fabric is completely dirty, then you can risk washing the slats by hand using the method described above. It is important to remember that the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees; it is best to limit yourself to soaking in a washing solution and then rinsing.
Cotton
It shrinks during washing, so, given this property, choose slats a little longer than necessary. You can wash cotton either by hand or in an automatic machine. For bright colored lamellas, powders marked “Color” are used. The temperature is the same as for jacquard. Don't forget to turn off "spin" and "automatic drying".
Fiberglass
Can't be washed! Fiberglass material is beautiful and practical, but it can only be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Wipe occasionally with a damp cloth.
Drying
Dry the fabric slats in the shade; do not bend them and hang them like this on a rope, otherwise there will be a crease. Clip the strips to the top corners with clothespins. Immediately insert the weights; under their weight, the material itself will straighten out and take the desired shape. Do not be afraid that the weights will rust and leave red marks on the fabric, this will not happen, because the weights are made of plastic or aluminum, which does not rust.
Tip : When the lamellas have dried and returned to their rightful place, spray the canvas with “Antistatic” from a spray can (sold in household chemical stores).
If you were unable to wash and dry it carefully and wrinkles appeared, you will have to take a risk and iron the slats, despite all the warnings. Experienced housewives advise ironing at a minimum temperature. Place the iron across the strip and move it slowly from top to bottom. Under no circumstances should you pull the edge of the fabric; such “barbaric” treatment will deform the material.
Washing fabrics correctly
Vacuum each sheet, disconnect weights and chains, remove all strips and roll them into loose rolls. Then place in a bowl or bathtub filled with warm, soapy water and leave for about twenty minutes.
You cannot rub, stretch or bend the fabric panels; the dirt must come off on its own. After soaking, rinse in clean water and hang to dry, maybe even in the same place.
Some lazy housewives practice washing blinds in washing machines on a delicate cycle, but I do not encourage such measures. The shape of the fabrics can easily become deformed during such washing.
Natalya Bryantseva
