Venetian blinds are a popular choice due to their stylish look and outstanding light control qualities, but they're also great at gathering dust and grime due to their horizontal slats.
We've put together this expert guide on how to clean your venetian blinds, depending on how dirty they are, how much effort you want to put in and ways to clean them depending on which type of venetian blind you have.
What's the best way to clean venetian blinds?
The best way to clean venetian blinds varies depending on the level of cleaning required and the type of venetian blind you have. Our cleaning methods involving liquids are suitable for aluminium venetian blinds and PVC plastic or synthetic blinds only, as they are waterproof. When cleaning wooden venetian blinds, you should use cleaning methods that do not include moisture, as water or cleaning liquid could warp the slats and cause permanent damage.
Venetian blinds cleaning guides
- How to light clean venetian blinds
- How to remove stains from venetian blinds
- How to deep clean venetian blinds
- Perhaps the least time-consuming of the four, use a feather duster to sweep across each slat horizontally. We recommend using a microfibre feather duster which is fantastic at pulling up dirt, dust and bacteria from the slat surface.
- Use a venetian blind cleaner tool to clean the top and bottom of two slats at a time as you glide it across. You can buy these online and in most bargain and DIY stores.
- Take a dry, clean microfibre cloth or cotton sock to clean each slat, this method allows you to get closer to areas around the ladder cords.
- A vacuum can be pretty effective used with a small soft brush attachment but be careful that the suction is not too strong as you don't want to bend or pull the slats.
- Create your cleaning solution by taking a bowl of warm water and adding a mild detergent such as washing up liquid or using white vinegar. (For any stronger detergents or specialised cleaning liquids, we encourage you to do a spot test and leave for 24 hours to ensure the colour and material aren't affected.)
- Take a clean microfibre cloth or a cotton sock, dip in the water and ring out until damp.
- Gently rub the stain until it disappears, be careful to keep moisture away from operating mechanisms, tapes and ladder cords to prevent damage or mould forming. For stains around cords and tapes, we suggest taking a cotton wool ball and gently dabbing.
- Dry the area with a soft dry cloth and buff out any water spots or streaks.
- Remove the blinds from the bracket according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Fill the bath with warm water and add a mild detergent such as washing-up liquid.
- Put down a bath mat or towel on the bottom, and another towel at the side where the blinds will rest while soaking.
- Lower the blinds into the water however, avoid immersing the headrail and control components.
- Leave the blinds to soak for half an hour to two hours, depending on how dirty they are.
- Drain the water.
- Use a soft cloth or cleaning brush to remove any excess dirt and grime that has not loosened during the soak.
- Rinse with cold water, using your shower head to spray over the slats until the soap and dirt have washed away.
- Air dry your blinds outside if the weather is good and you have a suitable place to hang them, or inside on your shower rail or bannister. If you want to dry them quickly, use a hairdryer on the cool setting, and avoid radiators.
How to light clean venetian blinds
To keep your blinds looking fresh and avoid a nasty build-up of dirt and dust, we recommend regularly dusting your venetian blinds. Of course, every week is ideal, or if you have less time, every fortnight won't hurt, but the more regular, the better.
There are a few different dusting methods for light cleaning. Here are your options:
How to remove light stains from venetian blinds
This method is recommended for venetian blinds made from aluminium, PVC plastic, and synthetic venetian binds only. It's a great way to give your venetian blinds a proper clean without having to take them down.
How to deep clean venetian blinds
Some venetian blinds may require a deep clean, depending on how badly soiled they are. For example, blinds in the kitchen are exposed to grease and residue, whereas it would rarely be necessary to deep clean your living room venetian blinds.
Use the below method to deep clean venetian blinds made from aluminium, plastic, PVC and synthetic materials. Avoid this cleaning method on real wood blinds as it would warp them, and they would no longer do their job.
FAQ's
How to take down venetian blinds?
To take down Venetian blinds, first, tilt the slats upward to the closed position. Next, locate the brackets holding the blinds in place on either side of the window frame. Release the blinds from the brackets by lifting the blinds upward and then pulling them out gently from the brackets.
How to clean tapes on venetian blinds?
To clean the tapes on Venetian blinds, gently wipe them with a damp microfibre cloth, using a mixture of mild soap and water, and then let them air dry.
Can you wash venetian blinds in the bath?
Yes, follow our instructions on how to deep clean venetian blinds
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Want to replace your Venetian blinds?
We hope the tips in this article will leave your venetian blinds as good as new and your home feeling fresher. However, if you think your blinds are worn out and even a deep clean won't cut it, browse our stunning collection of high-quality made-to-measure aluminium venetian blinds and wood venetian blinds. If you enjoyed reading our guide, please consider sharing this with others and spreading the love.
Looking for more expert advice?
Take a look at our other expert guides.
