Blinds play a crucial role in keeping your room cool, providing privacy, and blocking out light. But just like any other surface in your home, dust easily builds up on your blinds. However, most people overlook blinds when cleaning windows, thus leading to dust buildup.
Although blinds come in different types, including vinyl, wood, fabric, or aluminum, they all collect dust, pet hair, or dirt, thus needing some TLC. When it comes to blinds, the question remains how to clean mini blinds.
You can clean your mini blinds monthly to avoid having dust harden due to frequent sun exposure. But before cleaning your blinds, ensure that you know how to install mini blinds if you need to take them down.
Tips and Tricks on How to Clean Mini Blinds
So, to keep your mini blinds clean, consider using the information discussed below.
01. Gather Your Mini Blind Cleaning Tools
When cleaning your mini blinds, the main aim is to eliminate dust and contaminants safely and effectively. So, to start, gather the right cleaning supplies guaranteed to control allergens, including dust and mold.
All the cleaning supplies needed for mini blind cleaning include:
- A soft brush attachment vacuum cleaner easily cleans the mini blinds’ loose dust.
- Microfiber cloths to help clean stubborn dust exposed to the sun.
- Dishwashing liquid and baking soda to make the solution that breaks down all the dirt and grime.
- Water to rinse off the dirt and grime, leaving the blinds clean.
You have to have the proper mini blind cleaning tools. It will help speed up the task while ensuring it becomes 100% clean.
02. Vacuuming Blinds
After gathering your cleaning supplies, take the next step and vacuum your blinds. First, lower the blinds, especially those close, including vinyl and aluminum blinds with slats.
Next, use a vacuum cleaner with soft brush bristles and a low suction setting to remove dust. When working, begin from the top slat to the bottom to avoid dust falling on areas you’ve already worked on. Next, flip the blinds and work on their other side.
03. Cleaning your Blinds Using a Microfiber
Vacuuming doesn’t necessarily eliminate all the dirt and grime; thus, you’ll need to clean using microfiber. To start, use a microfiber or sock to wipe the blinds from top to bottom.
You can use a solution of water and washing liquid with microfiber to clean the stubborn grime. When cleaning, maintain a downward motion on blinds to avoid having them come unhooked. However, if you have horizontal blinds, wipe from side to side to avoid ruining them.
Additionally, hold the blinds securely in one hand while rubbing the cloth from front to back. Clean the blinds this way every week or two to keep them sparkling.
04. Prepare A Cleaning Solution For Stubborn Stains
When preparing a cleaning solution, you must consider the material from which your mini blinds are made. By knowing the material, you won’t ruin your blinds. For instance, the solution used on wood blinds isn’t the same as on fabric blinds.
Consider using warm water, dishwashing soap, a fifty-fifty water solution, and vinegar for aluminum, plastic, and faux wood with tough stains. This solution will break down the grime that tends to accumulate over time.
You might need a tougher solution for white blinds to get all the dirt out. This solution should include three tablespoons of bleach and hot water. Afterward, you can wash them with a mixture of water and vinegar.
05. Deep Clean Your Mini Blinds
Even though you might dust your mini blinds weekly, you still need to deep clean them every month. Deep cleaning your mini blinds will vary depending on your type of blind. One option is taking down your blinds and using the bathtub to clean.
When taking down your blinds, close them to make the process easier. If your blinds can come apart, ensure that you label them to avoid mixing them up. Next, get your tub ready by filling it with water.
Depending on the blinds, add the right solution to the water. However, don’t soak a cloth or wooden blinds as they might get ruined. The standard cleaning solution for most blinds includes four drops of dish soap and a cup of vinegar.
Using a soft-bristled brush, clean your blinds with the proper movement. If the blinds are very dirty, let them soak for about an hour, then drain and fill the tub with more water to thoroughly rinse the soap.
Suppose you are washing white blinds; you’ll need to use a tougher solution. Add hot water, four tablespoons of bleach, soap, and vinegar to your tub. Place your blinds in the solution, and with gloves as protection and a soft brush, clean your blinds.
If you are experiencing great weather, you can clean your mini blinds outside. Additionally, this cleaning method is ideal if your blinds are too big for your tub. The first step is to take down your blinds and lay them on a tarp, on grass, or in your driveway. Next, spray the blinds using a hose gently to remove dirt and dust. When hosing your blinds, ensure that the water doesn’t soak them. Next, use a solution of water and vinegar, then rub them down a clean cloth on each side of the slat. Once you are satisfied with the outcome, thoroughly rinse the blinds using the hose.
06. Dry Your Blinds
The drying process remains the same, whether you wash your mini blinds inside or outside. So, get a towel to blot the extra water and lay down the blinds. Let them air dry and carefully hang them back up once they are well dried.
Bottom Line
As seen above, mini blinds can serve you for a long time if well taken care of. And part of the care process includes cleaning to get rid of all the dust. So, to keep your blinds well maintained, you need to use the proper cleaning methods.
For instance, ensure that you flip the blinds to clean both sides. In addition, when vacuuming blinds, hold them an inch away, especially for woven wood blinds. When cleaning your blinds with the right solution, use a cloth or socks, but avoid paper towels as they leave behind fibers in the blinds.
For the extra effort, if you have shutters or fabric shades, consider cleaning them as well. You can use the cleaning method on blinds to clean your shutters.
Image Courtesy: Image 3
