How to wash vertical blinds, and is it possible to do this without removing them?

Vertical blinds made of fabric slats are a worthy competitor to curtains. They are used not only in workrooms and offices, but also in apartments and private houses. This popularity is due to the convenient design, which allows you to regulate and dose natural light, and at the same time the products look stylish in any room. But to maintain a presentable appearance, it is necessary to periodically wash vertical blinds, because they, like curtains, have the ability to accumulate dust and become dirty.

Vertical blinds - a universal curtain that regulates natural light

How to clean without removing

To remove dust, it is not necessary to wash window decor. How to wash vertical blinds:

Go over the fabric strips with a vacuum cleaner on low power. It is better to use a soft furniture nozzle.
Dissolve liquid soap in warm water, soak a cloth in the solution and wipe each strip.
Remove any remaining soap with a clean cloth.

Another option is cleaning with a steam generator. It will not only remove dust and small stains, but also remove unpleasant odors.

Replacing the slider

This repair is the most labor-intensive. First of all, it is necessary to purchase new runners and the so-called connecting distances that serve to secure them.

The procedure is as follows:

We remove the control cord (otherwise it will interfere with the work process). We unscrew the control mechanism and carefully remove it from the cornice. Carefully remove all the runners. We take the broken element, compress the distance on both sides and remove it from the damaged slider. Insert the distance into the new slider until it clicks. We pass the control cord through all the runners. We insert the runners into the cornice, stringing them one by one onto the shaft. We fasten the control mechanism. It is advisable to do this together: one person holds the cornice, the second one screws the mechanism. We return the control cord to its place. This is what the sliders for vertical blinds look like (on the left is a slider with a distance inserted into it)

This is what sliders for vertical blinds look like (on the left is a slider with a distance inserted into it)

How to wash vertical blinds

Preparation.

Fabric strips should be washed separately from clothing and other items to preserve their color. First, clean the slats from dust with a vacuum cleaner or a slightly damp cloth. If the slats have patterns on them, check to see if they are fading before washing. To do this, wet the fabric and wipe it with a napkin with detergent: if the rag remains clean, then the design will withstand washing.

Choosing a detergent.

Gels and detergent pastes are suitable for delicate machine washing: they completely dissolve in water without leaving streaks. But it is important not to overdo it with the concentrate: if you add too much product, it will be difficult to rinse out.

To wash by hand, you can take laundry or baby soap: rub it into shavings and dissolve it in water. You can also use a stain remover, but make sure it does not contain chlorine, otherwise the composition will ruin the fabric.

Do not use powder - large granules can damage the texture of delicate fabric when rubbed.

Handwash.

Before washing, roll each fabric strip and tie it with thread - this way the slats will not lose their shape. Try not to twist the fabric too tightly, otherwise it will not wash out. You can roll it in a stack of several pieces, but no more than five, to avoid creases.

Place the rolls in a deep basin with water (temperature no higher than 40°C) and add detergent. Leave the fabric to soak for 1-2 hours. If the material is very dirty, the soaking time can be increased.
Unroll the strips and wipe on both sides with a soft sponge soaked in soapy water. Make sure that the fabric does not wrinkle.
Rinse the slats with warm water. Do not squeeze them so as not to deform them.

Machine washable.

Roll the strips as you would for hand washing. Check that the thread holds well, but do not tighten too much.

Place the rolls in a special laundry bag. If this is not the case, use a regular pillowcase.
Set the mode to “delicate” or “hand wash”, select a temperature up to 30°C. Turn off the rinse and spin function.
After the end of the cycle, rinse the slats under running water, do not wring out. Place it in the bathroom to drain the water.

Care Tips

Vertical fabric blinds should not be washed frequently in order to preserve the dirt-repellent protective coating. The maximum allowed is 2 washes per year, but it’s better to get by with just one. They should not be washed in hot water to prevent the fabric from shrinking. Before washing, it is better to check the color fastness by running a damp cloth over the surface. If there is a suspicion that the fabric will fade, use only cold water.

It is better not to wash blinds with a photo print yourself, but to take them to dry cleaning or use cleaning services. It is also worth doing if blinds made of fabric of unknown composition are very dirty.

How to remove heavy stains

Oily spots.

Any dishwashing detergent, for example Fairy, Sarma, will remove them well. Straighten the strip, treat it with a soft sponge with the product, leave for a few minutes and rinse in warm water.

Pen and felt-tip pen.

Traces will be cleaned with ammonia. Dilute the bottle in 10 liters of water, place fabric strips in the solution and leave for a few minutes. If stains remain, wipe them with a cloth soaked in alcohol.

Tea and coffee stains.

Citric acid can remove dirt. Dilute the powder in water, soak a sponge in the solution and treat the stains. Caution: acid has bleaching properties, so before using the product, test its effect on an inconspicuous area of the material.

Stains on colored blinds.

To maintain the vibrancy of the color and pattern while still removing difficult stains, use baking soda. Dissolve 20 g of powder in a glass of water with shavings of laundry soap. Stir and apply the solution to the stripes with a regular sponge. Then rinse and rinse in cool water.

Reassembly procedure

As already mentioned, in order to easily put the blinds back together, you need to thoroughly remember all the details of the process of disassembling them. But this only applies to horizontal and roll models.

In the case of vertical slats, everything is a little different, so it is better to adhere to the following sequence:

For convenience, it is best to assemble it on an already fixed cornice, since hanging it together with the blinds can be difficult.
The sliders must be positioned so that they are perpendicular to the window plane.
Each canvas is equipped with a special tongue. This tongue must be inserted into clips or special clamps located in the sliders.
After fixing the slats, it is necessary to install weights with fastening chains. They are located at the bottom of the canvases, in special through pockets.
After all these manipulations, it is necessary to check the operation of the blinds. If they rotate and move freely, the assembly is correct.

How to dry vertical blinds

Dry the blinds immediately after washing: if they sit, creases will form that will be difficult to get rid of. Straighten and hang the strips over the bathtub to allow water to drain. To prevent the strip from bending, secure the slats to the rope with a clothespin using a plastic fastener. Do not dry the fabric on a radiator or with a hairdryer, this will damage the shape.

It is better to hang the slats while still wet. This will allow them to dry faster and expand better under the weight of damp fabric. But you should not open the window so that dust and dirt from the street do not stick to the material.

Proper drying

The last, but no less important step in washing vertical fabric blinds is drying them. Properly dried strips will remain smooth and continue to serve properly, protecting the room from bright light and heat.

After washing, the rolls should be unrolled and hung upright in a well-ventilated place. This could be a bathroom, the main thing is not to close it so that excess moisture can evaporate. Or you can dry the blinds outside away from the sun's rays.
The use of household appliances for drying lamellas is prohibited.
You need to hang it using a special strip fastening.
When placing the elements of the blinds, they should be straightened, avoiding creases and distortions.
Manufacturers recommend drying the product by hanging it back on the curtain rod. In this case, a special weight is hung from below, removed before washing.

How to care for vertical blinds

Frequent washing will cause blinds to fade and lose their shape over time. To avoid having to constantly expose the fabric to water, follow the care recommendations:

clean the slats with a vacuum cleaner with a furniture attachment at least once a week;
wipe the material once a month with a cloth soaked in soapy water;
do not wash windows with aggressive compounds containing chlorine - if it gets on the fabric, it will ruin the color and damage the fibers of the material;
treat the strips with an antistatic agent - this way they will be less covered with dust;
Once a year, lubricate the cornice guides with a special silicone grease - this will make it easier to move the strips.

If you decide to remove the blinds and replace them with other or regular curtains, roll the strips into rolls and carefully tie them with thread. A dry and warm room is suitable for storage.

Removing horizontal curtains

There are several types of fastening curtains with horizontal slats:

Plastic fasteners are used for fastening short curtains. To separate them, the clasp is simply moved to the side. This releases the curtain from its fastenings.
The L-shaped fastening consists of a pair of plastic clamps that extend over the side of the cornice. To dismantle them, carefully bend the cornice strip towards you and hold it with your fingers. After this, remove the fastening. To simplify the work, you can bend the wall of the cornice with a nail file or a narrow screwdriver.
The narrow twist holder is a clamp that rotates around a bolt and securely holds the curtain. It is convenient to detach it if there is access at the top. Then the latch is moved towards you with your fingers. If this option is problematic to implement, the lower part of the holder is pryed up with a narrow screwdriver and moved in a circle to the right. This releases the fastener.
The wide twist holder is stronger and more reliable. It is removed in the same way as a narrow twist holder.

If all manipulations are performed correctly and carefully, the curtain control system will easily separate from the brackets holding it. If difficulties arise, you should completely disconnect the system from the frame, without separating it from the brackets.

Important!
To avoid breaking parts of the blinds, do not pull the fasteners too hard.

Most blinds are attached to the frame without the use of additional corners. If they are present, they are disconnected from the frame by unscrewing the hexagon screws with a special key. Only after disconnecting the corners do they begin to remove the curtain itself.

Before starting work, it is necessary to understand by what principle the brackets are attached. Most often, a socket wrench is used for fastening, turning it clockwise. Then, to remove the system, the fasteners are turned in the opposite direction.

Main

The blinds can be machine washed, but only on a delicate cycle at temperatures up to 30°C and without spinning. If you wash the slats by hand, it is better to first soak them in a basin with a solution for a couple of hours.
Before washing, it is better to roll the strips and secure them with thread, put them in a special bag or pillowcase. Do not use aggressive chlorine products or powders.
To dry the strips, you need to hang them in the bathroom, let the water drain and return them to their place while still damp.
It is advisable not to resort to frequent washing, but to clean the slats without removing them using a vacuum cleaner, rag or soft sponge, and remove stains locally.

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.

Detergents

A variety of products can be used to clean blinds. These are folk or chemical remedies. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Both folk and commercial products are suitable for washing.

Vinegar

This method is effective for removing grease and old stains that can accumulate on structures located in the kitchen. When cleaning, it is recommended to wear gloves to protect the skin of your hands.

Vinegar can be used to clean grease and stains that appear in the kitchen.

It is necessary to make a solution: dilute vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:2. Using a sponge or spray bottle, treat the surface of the blinds. Then wipe with a clean damp towel and then wipe dry.

Ammonia

This method is not suitable for wooden and fabric structures, as they absorb odors. Ammonia works best on plastic and metal. To clean, you need to blot the towel and wipe the product. Finally, be sure to dry with a clean towel.

Ammonia is only suitable for cleaning plastic and metal structures.

Important! In order to get rid of an unpleasant odor, you need to wash the product with a detergent with a pleasant smell or powder.

Detergent

Greater results can be achieved by using more active agents. These are dishwashing gels or washing powders. They quickly and efficiently allow you to get rid of even the most stubborn stains.

What's the fastest way?

To properly wash your blinds, you don’t have to spend a lot of time on it. However, you still have to remove the structure from the window.

Move the mechanism to the closed position.
Remove the curtain from the brackets.
Hang the removed part above the bathtub.
Apply active car wash foam.
Wait 2 minutes (or other time indicated on the package).
Rinse off the product with a strong stream of running water from the shower.
Wipe the slats dry.
Spray with antistatic agent.

The contactless car wash product does not damage paint or metal, but is not cheap. However, this option is one of the simplest and most effective.

Design options

Various modifications of light filters are available. The following varieties exist:

Horizontal window blinds

These are light filters with transverse stripes, which are assembled using a simple regulation system - fishing line tension. The main advantage is ease of use. You can change the luminous flux and ventilate conveniently. Pairs perfectly with curtains. They can be mounted between frames.

Vertical window blinds

The plates are arranged vertically. They completely cover the window opening. Available with long and short slats, which can be up to the middle of the window, to the window sill. You can choose the length yourself. The slats may have a design or some kind of pattern on them. You can remove the slats without disassembling the entire structure.

Roller window blinds

They are made in the form of a roll from a single piece of fabric or special material. Various shades and materials are available. There are a lot of modifications. You can decorate and update the interior. The combination of price and quality is available. The ease of use and installation is captivating. A roll-up version for plastic windows is an affordable and easy way to arrange calm lighting in a room.

Design features include:

The fabric itself, treated with a special compound that allows the curtains not to get dirty or collect dust particles, does not wrinkle.
Control chain holder or spring system.
Shaft for holding the web.

One of the varieties is Zebra or Day-Night blinds. This is a special fabric with different textures, you can achieve optimal lighting.

Cassette window blinds

The strips are folded into a cassette when twisted. Plastic or aluminum box.

Benefits include:

Suitable for any design.
Ease of installation work.
Simple regulating mechanism