How to Clean Blinds Like the Experts

You see them every day, and when that sunlight hits them just right, you’re easily reminded of the amount of dirt built up on your home’s blinds. Even though you look at them all the time, if you’re being honest, how often do you think about cleaning them? Do you know the best way to clean blinds? Or what about the easiest way to clean blinds? As cleaning experts, we recommend giving your blinds a quick clean roughly once a week to avoid dust build up. But occasionally, they need a more thorough clean. We know it’s a daunting chore, but lucky for you, this guide will teach you exactly how to clean window blinds.

There are 3 main types of blinds: wooden, metal and fabric. Of course, in each of those categories, there are more specific types but for simplicity’s sake, we’re going to stick with these three types. If you’re trying to figure out how to clean mini blinds, the good news is all of these tips can be used for cleaning mini blinds as well. Unfortunately, there’s no magical blind cleaner machine (at least that we’ve found), but we’ve developed so many tools that will help you clean tricky spots in your home, like blinds. We’re confident this guide will help you successfully clean your blinds and see things more clearly!

Cleaning Wooden Blinds

We’re putting vinyl blinds and faux-wooden blinds in this category too, because the steps for cleaning these types are all pretty similar. This also includes venetian blinds. How to clean venetian blinds, and all the others in this category is simple - a microfiber cloth. Just close the blinds one way and wipe them with the cloth from side to side. Make sure you start at the top and work your way down because all that dust and debris will fall as you clean. Once you do the first side, turn the blinds so they’re closed the opposite way and wipe again. If you’re really dedicated and looking for a thorough clean, you can open the blinds and wipe between each slat. We also sell a High Reach Duster that extends up to 14 feet to reach the higher blinds in your home.

In some cases, the microfiber cloth or the duster may not be enough. If you notice tougher messes on your blinds, use a damp cloth and give the stains a gentle scrub. If you want to be a real overachiever, you can whip up a mixture of warm water and dishwasher detergent. Or if your blinds need a machine clean, try something like our BISSELL® ICONpet™ Cordless Vacuum to vacuum those high up spots in your home.

Cleaning Metal Blinds

Metal and aluminum blinds can be cleaned using the steps in the section above, but they’re also a little more durable, and that can sometimes mean they need a deeper clean. First, decide how deep you’d like to go with your blind cleaning. This mainly means deciding if you want to take these blinds down to clean them. If you’re looking for the best way to clean blinds without taking them down, the steps above will help. However, if you decide to take them down, you have two options. First, fill your bathtub with water and a little bit of dish soap. Let the blinds soak for a few minutes in the water, but not for too long, because they’re metal, water can cause them to rust. Once a few minutes is up, shake excess water out of the blinds and hang them back up. Then, take a dry towel and individually dry the slats to ensure they don’t rust. Doing so definitely takes more of a time commitment, but it’s also a good way to get a better clean.

But, let’s say you don’t have a tub at your home. Your second option for cleaning metal blinds is the hose. You still have to take the blinds down, but this one may be a little more fun. Take the blinds outside and spray them clean with your hose. Again, only let them be wet for a few minutes, because they can rust. Once they’re rinsed, shake out any excess water, hang them back up and wipe the slats with a dry towel.

Cleaning Fabric Blinds

Now, let’s say you have fabric blinds or are looking to clean your curtains. For most fabric window treatments, you should be able to toss them in the washing machine. Just be sure to check the manufacture’s tag – they’re usually better at telling you exactly how to clean their products. If you don’t have time to run a full washing machine and dryer cycle, our recommended and personal favorite method to cleaning these types of blinds is with a vacuum cleaner. BISSELL makes attachments specifically for this situation. In fact, our dusting brush is perfect for cleaning fabric blinds. It slides right on the hose of our upright vacuum to clean tricky spots like blinds. And, for a little extra reach while vacuuming blinds, attach it to our vacuum extension wands.

We hope these tips help you find the best way when it comes to window blind cleaning in your home. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference a good, clean set of blinds can make in any room, especially when the sun is shining through them! Plus, since this guide shows you how easy and quick it can be to clean your blinds, you’ll be able to spend less time cleaning them and more time enjoying life’s little moments with the people you love.