Cleaning mini blinds is a problem faced by many householders who choose to have mini blinds installed in one or more their windows. Mini blinds are an attractive replacement for the older style of Venetian blinds and they are great for fitting in smaller windows around the home.
Mini blinds have more slats than conventional Venetian blinds. The slats are usually narrower, which can make them extremely fiddly to clean effectively. Many people tend to avoid cleaning mini blinds until they have actually changed colour because they are so filthy. This is, however, not the best way to treat your mini blinds!
The easiest way to clean your mini blinds is to use chemicals rather than brute force. Not only will this take less time, it will also be significantly more effective. Firstly, you need to vacuum your blinds to remove any excess dust and debris. Use the nozzle attachment of your vacuum cleaner to make the job easier. Once you have done this, you can take the blind down and examine it for damage before moving on to the next stage.
Ammonia and water is an excellent compound for mini blind cleaning. Mix one part water to one part ammonia in a bucket. This is best done outside, but you can also do the job inside as long as you make sure you have adequate ventilation. It is also a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands.
Using a small sponge, wipe the ammonia mixture across each part of the blind, making sure you treat both the front and the back. Scrubbing should be unnecessary unless a significant amount of grease has built up on blinds—usually those hung in a kitchen. Once the ammonia mixture has been on the blinds for at least 5 minutes, hose the blind down with clean water. If you are forced to clean your blinds inside, place the blind in the bath and use a shower attachment to rinse the ammonia mixture away. If you do not have a shower attachment, simply fill the bath up with clean water and rinse the blind that way.
Once you have rinsed all of the ammonia away, use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe the blind slats and then hang the mini blind over a clothes line to dry. If you are inside, hang the blind over the shower rail. Remember to leave the binds open to ensure they dry more quickly.
Before re-hanging your clean mini blinds, make sure they are completely clean and dry. If you have missed a section of dirt, reapply the ammonia and repeat the process. A good way to prevent future dust and dirt build up is to wipe each slat down with an anti static dryer sheet before re-hanging them.
If you have multiple mini blinds that are ready for a good clean, you can save time by cleaning them together. Just make sure you have adequate space to dry them before you embark on a marathon session of cleaning mini blinds.