Cleaning vertical blinds sounds difficult, but if you follow a few simple tips, it is really very easy and should not take too long as long as you do it fairly regularly. Many people choose to install vertical blinds in their home and when they are kept in good condition, clean vertical blinds look very stylish and attractive. However, if left to attract dirt and grime, they will deteriorate and look distinctly unattractive and nasty.
Regular cleaning is the key to maintaining nice looking vertical blinds. Cleaning heavily soiled blinds is not only time consuming, it is also likely to be unsuccessful, so when you purchase new blinds, make sure you embark on a regular cleaning schedule.
Vertical blind cleaning on a daily basis is really only a matter of doing a little light dusting. Vertical blinds do not attract dust in the same way as horizontal blinds, but they still require regular dusting with a soft feather duster or vacuum cleaner. Most vacuum cleaners manufacturers provide special attachments specially designed for cleaning vertical blinds. It will resemble a thick fork that fits between the vertical slats, cleaning down each side as it slides along. This is usually enough to keep your blinds dust free on a long-term basis.
Occasionally, despite your best efforts, vertical blinds do get dirty—especially those hung across doors or patio windows. Cleaning vertical blinds when they are still installed is possible, but it can be a very messy unless you protect the window behind and the floor beneath. In most cases, it is far better to remove the individual slats and clean them separately. To do this you will need to unhook each slat from the head rail, disconnect it from the chain at the bottom, and then remove the small weight from the pocket at the base of the slat.
If your vertical blind slats are made from vinyl or aluminium, they can be cleaned using water mixed with mild detergent. Heavy dirt can be removed using a scrubbing sponge. Once all of the dirt has been removed to your satisfaction, rinse the slat using clean water. If you have white slats, add a small amount of bleach to the water to brighten up the whiteness. Slat cleaning is usually best done outdoors so the rinsing process can be done using a hosepipe. However, it can also be carried out in the bath using a shower attachment. Once the slats are clean, they can be left to dry in the sun, hung over the shower cubicle, or dried with a towel.
If you are cleaning fabric vertical blinds, check to see if the slats are machine washable. If it is safe to wash them in a machine, use a delicate cycle and extra gentle detergent made for fine fabrics. Any serious stains can be pre-treated using a spot stain removal agent prior to the wash. If your fabric slats are not machine washable, use stain removal agent and then wipe off using a cloth or soft brush. This can be done while the blinds are still hanging.