How to wash blinds, washing horizontal and vertical slats

Blinds are widely used to protect premises from direct sunlight; in addition, it is also a design addition, which in some cases suits the design style best. Blinds are distinguished by convenience, functionality and visual appeal. But they, like any things in the house, require constant care. The question of how to wash blinds at home is of interest to many people who are encountering such an interior detail for the first time and do not know about all the nuances of caring for them.

How to wash blinds at home

Types of structures

There are several options for window slats, differing in type of design.

Horizontal is the most common type. Most often they are represented by thin metal or plastic strips connected by a thick thread. These are simple curtains that last for years. Caring for such interior elements is simple, and you can do this without removing them from the windows.

Vertical ones are less formal, let in sunlight and create a calm, cozy atmosphere in the room.
Pleated curtains. They resemble horizontal ones, but when you look closely, you remember that this is a strip of rigid fabric folded like an accordion.

Remember that not only blinds require regular maintenance, but windows also need to be thoroughly washed at least 2 times a year.

How to wash horizontal aluminum blinds in 4 minutes

If you want to do the cleaning quickly, you need to remove the blinds from the window, otherwise you will have to do a major cleaning, including washing the frame and glass. For the express method, you will need high-quality chemicals for contactless car washing. The good thing about this product is that you are spared the need to wipe each lamella on both sides with a sponge or a special brush.

Removing and hanging an alternative curtain is a matter of one minute. And for active foam, two minutes is enough to dissolve all existing dirt.

The sequence of actions in this case is indecently simple.

Switch the curtain to the “closed” mode so that the slats take a vertical position.
Remove the blinds from their brackets. To do this, turn the levers to the right to open the latch mechanism. Lifting slightly, remove the curtain rod.
Move the slats into the bathroom and hang them above the bathtub.
Apply a touchless car wash product to the curtain. Active foam will lift all dirt, including dust, grease and soot deposits within 2 minutes.
Rinse off the detergent with clean water using a shower head.
Let the water drain and wipe the curtain dry with a microfiber cloth.
Spray with an antistatic agent to reduce future contamination.
Hang blinds on the window.

The method is good in everything except the price. Car shampoos are quite expensive, and if you don’t have a car, buying such a product just to wash your curtains twice a year can be done with cheaper options. However, you will have to spend much more time cleaning.

Material for production

The degree of preservation of comfortable curtains directly depends on the material they are made from.

Textile. Typically, polyester is used in the manufacturing process. Modern achievements in the textile industry do not allow the fabric to fade in the sun, so the original color is retained throughout its operation.
Plastic. The slats are versatile and affordable. Even on the hottest day, such material does not heat up, thereby not being an additional source of heat.
Jacquard. Fabric with a voluminous, convex pattern that can either duplicate the main shade or contrast.
Aluminum. “Eternal” material for stripes. They are not deformable and durable, but they heat up, which makes the room even warmer.
Tree. It is difficult to find such slatted curtains, and their price is very high. Such curtains look beautiful on the window and are completely environmentally friendly. Wood can absorb odors, grease and water.

Bamboo. In this material, practicality, beauty and environmental friendliness are combined in a beneficial tandem. Suitable for almost any type of interior.

Wooden horizontal blinds – beautiful and capricious

Wooden light-protective structures are made from thin strips of natural wood. Therefore, they contain all the advantages and disadvantages of wooden products. They are beautiful, environmentally friendly, but do not tolerate high humidity, even with special treatment designed to increase their moisture resistance. To care for wooden light-protection systems, only special cleaning and care products are used.

Did you like the curtains? You can order the same in the section Blinds, pleated, roller blinds

Wet or dry clean?

Washing blinds at home can be done dry or wet. The choice of method depends on the type and material of the curtains.

The transverse slats are very thin and flexible; cleaning them must be gentle and careful, because replacing one or two strips is almost impossible.
Vertical fabric roller shutters are more resistant to mechanical stress. They can be safely removed and washed.

Important! When washing, do not use aggressive cleaning agents containing chlorine, as this may harm the fabric.

For routine cleaning or just dust deposits, the roller shutters can simply be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or wiped with a damp cloth.
For kitchen, office or schoolroom types, dry cleaning will not be enough.

How to wash properly: tips and tricks

You won't be able to simply wash your blinds like curtains; you'll probably have to put in a little more effort. Horizontal and vertical blinds, fabric, plastic and metal, are washed differently. But there are also common features:

It is necessary to wash blinds regularly - this is the main secret of cleanliness and maintaining a presentable appearance;
you should choose a cleaning agent in accordance with the material from which the lamellas are made;
Antistatic treatment will help reduce the frequency of washing;
they start wiping from the top and move down; you need to remove the slats and hang them back carefully so as not to damage the mechanism;
Every time after washing, do not forget to wipe the glass from dust and stains with a window cleaner, this will help keep the curtains clean.

Maintenance of horizontal roller shutters

Lightly soiled horizontal blinds can be easily washed without removing them from the window, while dirty ones can be washed dismantled.

If the contamination is light, you can wash the aluminum blinds without removing them from the window with a cloth soaked in a soapy solution. Before you start wet washing metal slats, you need to thoroughly clean them of dust deposits using a vacuum cleaner at the lowest power.
Plastic versions of roller shutters are convenient to wash in the bathroom. Remove the curtains from the windows, fill the bathtub with warm water, lower the plastic into it, and leave it in the water for 20 minutes. You can add some liquid soap to your bathroom.

You can use baking soda to clean stains. Just 2-3 tablespoons per bucket will be enough for effective cleaning.

Kitchen roller shutters made of plastic are washed in water with the addition of dishwashing detergent. Soak them in soapy water and leave for 20 minutes to remove any adhering fat from the surface.
Do not use too hot water in the procedure. It should not exceed 40 degrees.
Lift the curtain as you go, cleaning the slats one at a time using the shower jet. When you finish the procedure on one side, turn it over and wash the other side. When finished, wipe the surface with a clean cloth.

Important! If you are a happy resident of a private house, then you can dry your blinds directly on the fence in the yard.

Once drying is complete, take a soft cloth and run it over the surface to remove any dried water droplets.

What products are best to use?

Use cleaning agents and chemicals to wash heavily soiled slats. You should not use them too often, so as not to wash off the protective layer of impregnation. The most common means include:

baking soda is an affordable and safe remedy. It is suitable for all types of blinds. Used in powder or solution form;
washing powder - it is effective when washing blinds in a bathroom or a wide basin. The lamellas, rolled into rolls, are soaked in the solution;
alcohol-based window cleaner - spray on plastic or metal roller blinds, then wipe dry;
soap - soap napkins and wipe the slats in areas of more contamination. The product is effective and safe in any case;
stain removers based on fabric type - use preparations with caution. Read the product manufacturer's instructions. Determine if it can be used to clean your blinds.
bleach - the product is used only for bleaching and cleaning heavy dirt from undyed fabrics;
aerosols for cleaning car showrooms - special preparations perfectly clean slats and roller blinds made of metal and plastic from traces of nicotine.
Dishwashing liquid is an excellent and harmless product. It is added to drug solutions to obtain a thicker foam.

Cleaning fabric roller shutters

Vertical blinds are a little easier to clean, but these types require more frequent maintenance. The most common type of care is washing. You can wash fabric blinds as follows:

Go over each panel with a vacuum cleaner.
Remove all strips, disconnecting weights and chains.
Roll them into a large roll.
Place in a container with a soap solution already poured in.
Leave for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse carefully, without bending or stretching.
Hang to dry.

Fabric strips wash well if you roll each strip into a roll. For this purpose, soaking the canvas in soapy water is suitable.

You should not rub or crush them, as this will deform the material. Machine washing is also not suitable.

Important! If you wash fabric slats, they will eventually lose their special impregnation, which is designed to repel dust.

How to wash vertical blinds?

Vertical blinds are made of plastic and fabric. Each case has its own characteristics of establishing cleanliness and order.

Plastic

Plastic models cannot be rolled up and machine washed. They are washed, like horizontal aluminum models, on the window using cleaning solutions.

Close the curtain.
Move the slats to the open position so that their ribs are facing you. There should be enough space between the slats so that you can work comfortably.
Apply liquid detergent from a spray bottle to the front and back of the blinds.
Use a soft sponge or a special brush to wipe each strip of plastic.
Using a microfiber cloth or any material that absorbs water well, wipe the blinds dry so that there are no streaks left.

Textile

In order to thoroughly wash heavily soiled textile strips, it is necessary to remove them from their fastenings and free them from weights and control cords. Stack the slats and roll them into a roll.

Pour water into a large container (large basin or bucket) and add cleaning agent to it according to the instructions.
Soak the curtain in the cleaning solution for half an hour so that all the dirt is well soaked and comes off the material.
Use a soft brush or kitchen sponge to wipe each lamella and remove any dirt.
Hang the strips over the bathtub to allow water to drain off them.
After drying, hang the fabric in place by inserting weights.
Secure the controls and enjoy a clean window.

Cleaning metal blinds

We clean metal blinds directly on the windows.

Open the aluminum shutters and turn the slats to the “closed” position.
Carefully go over the surface with a vacuum cleaner so that later the dust does not roll into lumps.
Dampen a rag in plain water and wipe the strips one at a time from top to bottom. Rinse the cloth periodically and repeat the procedure several times.

If the roller shutters are very dirty, it is better to vacuum them, remove them and soak them in a soapy solution.

Important! It is better not to immerse the upper and lower strips in liquid, because they are most susceptible to corrosion. Wet only the canvas.

Leave the curtain in the soapy solution for 20 minutes.
Remove and rinse with high pressure water.
Dry the cleaned blinds thoroughly. Wipe each strip with a dry rag and hang it to dry in the yard or on the balcony.

The nuances of cleaning wooden structures

Obviously, you should not wash such blinds under running water. Instead, use polishes or other special products. Although you can use a damp cloth to wipe the slats.

Step 1. First of all, clean the blinds from dust with a vacuum cleaner. Instead of a vacuum cleaner, you can use a soft cloth or brush.

Cleaning wooden blinds from dust

Step 2: Prepare a cleaning solution. It is better to use special means. Wring out the dampened cloth thoroughly before use to prevent water from dripping from it.

Preparing and Using the Cleaning Solution

Step 3: Gently wipe down the blinds, paying attention to each slate. It is advisable to first walk through the closed ones, and then through the open slats. Thanks to this, you will get rid of dust as efficiently as possible.

Blinds can be wiped with a damp cloth

Step 4. With a relatively clean structure, you can do without wet cleaning. Remove individual stains and prevent dust from accumulating on the slats.

Drying open blinds

If the blinds are relatively clean, then you should not resort to wet cleaning. It is best to simply remove specific stains and ensure that large amounts of dust do not form on the structure

Regardless of the cleaning method, work with wooden blinds with care and precision. They cannot tolerate excessive humidity and can swell due to it. From this point of view, metal blinds are more convenient, but wooden blinds, of course, look more attractive.

Useful tips

An ordinary sock placed on your hand will help you quickly wash plastic blinds. Just spray a 1/3 vinegar-water solution on it and wipe the slats.

If there is no need for washing, and using a vacuum cleaner is inconvenient, an ordinary paint brush or a piece of sheepskin will come to the rescue.
Try cleaning blinds with a relief pattern with a soft toothbrush.
Wipe clean slats only with a lint-free cloth.

Metal, wooden and plastic blinds are equipped with a rotating mechanism. It needs to be lubricated from time to time. To do this, take spray lubricant, which is sold in car stores or oil for sewing machines.

Blinds take a powerful dust blow. After mosquito nets, they are second in line of defense from the street. Use useful and simple tips, and your roller shutters will serve you for many years.

Features of cleaning lamellas by material

We have already mentioned that before choosing a detergent to clean the blinds, you should determine the material of the slats:

Plastic. Absolutely not afraid of moisture or aggressive chemicals (except for models with photo printing). To simply and quickly wash your blinds, just soak them in a warm soapy solution and rub them with a brush.
Textile. They are not as durable, but they are machine washable. We will tell you how to do this correctly in the following sections. For care, do not use aggressive chemicals and abrasives; it is also better to replace the brush with a soft sponge.
Metal. Contact with water leads to rust, so you need to act clearly and quickly. To avoid scratching the paint, use a soft brush or sponge.
Tree. Such models are not intended for rooms with high humidity, so washing them with water is also not recommended. Carry out regular dry cleaning or occasional wet cleaning with special products for wooden furniture. Polish will help restore the freshness of the slats.

What to do with bamboo blinds

On the one hand, bamboo curtains are not afraid of wet processing, since the raw material successfully resists dampness. But a large amount of liquid after drying out in a city apartment can lead to swelling and subsequent cracking of the reeds. And the binding cords will stretch after washing and drying. Therefore, it is better to regularly wipe the components of the curtains with a damp cloth. It is not forbidden to wet the bamboo with polish.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are many main advantages of vertical fabric blinds.

Unusual design that fits perfectly into any interior.
Variety of colors and textures.
The ability to visually stretch the room and raise the ceilings thanks to its shape and direction.
Control the degree of illumination of the room by adjusting the position of the slats.
The ability to combine blinds with items such as lambrequins or curtains.
Good resistance to dirt and dust.

Along with their advantages, blinds also have some disadvantages. First of all, such vertical curtains are not suitable for decorating windows of non-standard shapes. Also, they should not be used to decorate large openings. Often, if there are blinds, difficulties may arise with opening the shutters or windows. In this case, you will have to move the slats to the side. Sometimes vertical curtains interfere with plants or decorative items located on the windowsill. But all these shortcomings are completely insignificant. Therefore, fabric vertical blinds are in great demand and popularity.

Cleaning roller blinds

A significant difference between this type of blinds is that the slats do not rise when assembled, but are rolled into a horizontal roll. Features of caring for roller blinds are determined by the material used to make the lamellas. As practice has shown, the easiest way to care for roller blinds is with a vacuum cleaner. Once a month, the slats are wiped with a slightly damp soft cloth or brush . For fabric roller blinds impregnated with special dust-repellent compounds, it is enough to go through a vacuum cleaner once every three to four months.

Jacquard and cotton slats: how to care for them?

It is highly not recommended to wash such items in a washing machine; even traditional hand washing may be too aggressive for them. Despite the fact that cotton, although not a delicate fabric, can shrink after being processed in a washing machine.

In order to wash such fancy materials, you need to fold each element separately. We put them in a linen bag or laundry bag and soak them in a warm solution made from a mild detergent or liquid concentrate.

After half an hour in the detergent, the bags are removed, the elements are rinsed and checked. If necessary, the approach is repeated. Rubbing jacquard and cotton is strictly prohibited. With this approach, the special impregnation that repels dust is very quickly washed off, and the lamella becomes like a shapeless ribbon.

Do not expose these materials to iron. After washing, such slats are immediately hung on the curtain rod; the weights must cling to the lower part, otherwise the fabric will shrink. There is no need to apply a hairdryer or other artificial heat sources to the blinds; they will dry quickly on their own.

How to wash fabric slats by hand

Hand washing is more gentle than automatic washing and is suitable for slats made of all types of fabrics. But even for this you need to follow a few simple rules.

The sequence of actions for hand washing is as follows:

The slats are removed from the cornice, rolled one at a time into loose rolls and placed in a container with warm (35-40 °C) water with a liquid gentle detergent pre-dissolved in it to soak. When soaking, the rolls should be completely covered with water.
After 30-40 minutes, unroll the rolls and see if the dirt has come away from them. Fabrics that have not been washed are soaked again in a fresh soap solution.
Clean lamellas are rinsed one at a time under running cool water, but under no circumstances are they wrung out. The easiest way to do this is to use a hose and shower head.
Dry the fabrics in the same way as after automatic washing: let the water drain and attach them to the cornice while still wet. Until the blinds are completely dry, the window should be closed.

Stubborn stains on the slats can be gently (without enthusiasm) rubbed with a soft sponge. It is prohibited to rub the fabric with a brush or washcloth. Otherwise you will ruin it.

Drying

After rinsing in warm water, the blinds must be dried. Hanging it on a rope, attaching it to the top with clothespins is an ideal option. The lamellas must not be allowed to bend. Drying is allowed over a bathtub and outside, in the absence of direct sun exposure.

Drying blinds

Weights are hung on the lower part of the lamella to ensure that the lamellas are not deformed. Before final drying, the blinds are returned to their place. It is not advisable to open the window. Drying fabric blinds with heating devices is prohibited to prevent their deformation.

The specificity of the process of washing fabric elements in a washing machine

Before washing blinds in a washing machine, you should read the manufacturer's recommendations on this issue. Most often, this approach is prohibited, and if the object is damaged, the warranty does not apply to it. Despite this attitude of professionals toward an aggressive approach, if you act wisely, you can get the desired result with minimal energy expenditure.

Advice:

If vertical blinds are made of some very delicate, lint-free fabric or simply expensive material, then it is better to dry clean the product and not take risks by experimenting at home.

In practice, machine washing fabric slats looks like this:

We set the delicate mode without drying and spinning, the temperature no higher than 35 degrees. The mildest detergents are chosen, without aggressive components.
Vertical strips are collected in 5-10 pieces (the denser the fabric, the fewer parts), folded into a neat roll and placed in laundry bags. The latter can be replaced with old unnecessary pillowcases.
We place the elements in the drum of the washing machine. It should not be filled to capacity; it is better to divide the process into several approaches.
We wash fabric curtains only once. Even if the stains remain on the surface, we no longer use the washing machine. If necessary, we perform additional manual processing of individual elements. If you wash your products this way too often, it will soften the material and the curtains will lose their original attractive appearance.
Dry vertical strips of soft fabric on the curtain rod. If there are noticeable folds or grooves during processing, ironing is acceptable. True, this is done through a layer of fabric; pressing on the iron and stretching the element is strictly prohibited.