Roman blinds can look luxuriously stylish in any interior, but if they aren’t properly maintained over time, there’s a chance they might lose their lustre. Dust, dirt and stains can all blemish the fabric, but the good news is that roman blinds can be cleaned - and if you use the right techniques, cleaning them can be easy.
Can You Vacuum Roman Blinds?
Yes, roman blinds can be vacuumed. In fact, it’s recommended that you vacuum them regularly in order to prevent a build up of dust. The key is to use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, which is designed specifically for use on fabrics. You should fully extend the roman blind and use the upholstery attachment to gently remove dust from the fabric, from top to bottom. Make sure to pay attention to the edges, corners and folds of the fabric, as this is where dust is most likely to accumulate over time.
If you aren’t dusting or cleaning your window sill, there’s a possibility that it starts to dirty the blind above it, particularly if the bottom part of the fabric regularly comes into contact with it. For this reason, it’s also recommended that you also regularly clean your windowsill and window frame to keep your roman blinds in top condition.
How To Take Down Roman Blinds For Cleaning
Sometimes you might find cleaning roman blinds easier if they’re laid down on a flat surface, in which case you’ll want to take down the blinds. Thankfully, it’s usually easy to take down Roman blinds, as they tend to be attached to their track using Velcro. In which case, you simply need to detach them from their track by unstrapping them from the Velcro and laying them down - voila! Ready for cleaning!
Can You Wash Roman Blinds?
Dust is one thing, but if your roman blinds are stained or dirty, you’ll probably want to wash them. So, what is the best way to clean roman blinds with stains? Soaking them in lukewarm water is a safe bet. We don’t necessarily recommend rubbing the stain, but if you do, it should be done as gently as possible with a clean damp cloth, preferably blotting lightly at the affected area. Rubbing too harshly or wringing the blind could potentially damage the fabric or bleach out the colour, so do take care.
A washing detergent for delicate fabrics can work wonders if it’s mixed with the water, but you’ll want to do a patch test first on a less visible area of the roman blind just in case the detergent isn’t right for the fabric.
Do your roman blinds still need a deeper wash? Be careful with the washing machine. Our roman blinds can use delicate, soft fabrics such as cotton and polyester blends. Putting them on a powerful wash, or using the wrong kind of detergent, could risk stress to the fabric or the dye bleeding out. You’d also want to make sure that any attachments to the fabric are removed first prior to machine washing.
Can You Steam Clean Roman Blinds?
If you’d rather not soak your roman blinds, there’s always steam cleaning, which can be a great option particularly if the blind is a heavy fabric or has interlining. As with the washing detergent, test out the steam cleaner on a small patch first. If it’s good to go, make sure to steam clean on a lower temperature, keep a reasonable distance from the fabric and pass it over evenly so that you don’t overdo it in one area. You don’t want to scald the fabric, potentially causing it to shrink or discolour, so always practice caution.
Should Roman Blinds Be Dry Cleaned?
If you’ve tried everything at home - or you don’t want to risk it - and your roman blind still needs a deeper clean, you can always get them done professionally by a dry cleaner. Given the delicate fabric roman blinds use, the milder process of dry cleaning can be the safest and most thorough cleaning method.
Looking For More Cleaning Tips?
If you’re looking for more information on how to clean your blinds, curtains and shutters, make sure to check out our following cleaning resources: