How To Clean Wooden Blinds?

Best Ways To Clean Your Blinds

We’re all used to cleaning windows when they’re dirty. Whether it’s the weather outside or the dogs and/or kids inside, removing marks from windows can be a pain (or should we say pane!).

The glass itself is usually only half the story. Most windows will have some decoration, whether it’s curtains, shutters or blinds. If you have wooden blinds, then you will already feel the benefits of the way they can control light and, more importantly, your privacy. But you will also have noticed that they have a way of attracting dust and dead insects. Fear not, your days of hoping they might just clean themselves are over. They won’t, but there are a number of ways of keeping them looking their best:

Dust Will Build Up

Whether you have bespoke blinds that are made to measure or have off-the-shelf blinds installed, they’re going to need cleaning at some point. Dust will build up constantly so you’ll need to clean them every couple of weeks at least. If you leave it months between cleans, then the dust and debris will build up and can, in some cases, stain wooden blinds thanks to a mixture of dirt and sunlight. If you haven’t cleaned your blinds for some time (or ever) then they might be beyond repair. If that’s the case, then you might have to replace them.

Elbow Grease

Before you open your can of elbow grease, you need to check for stains. If there are any, you’ll need to remove them first. Any stains can usually be buffed out with a dry cloth. You can also use a very mild detergent or dedicated wood cleaner if necessary.

Let’s assume then that your wooden blinds are just in need of a good dedusting. How do you do it? Depending on how high the blinds are installed, you may need a step-ladder or stool to stand on. Make sure you can do so safely before carrying on.

Adjust The Blinds 

Before you clean the blinds, regardless of the method you’re going to use, you should adjust the blinds so they are in the closed position. This gives you more surface area to work on so it doesn’t take as long. Clean the blinds in this position from one end to the other, then twist the blinds the other way and repeat the process. Pay particular attention to the small areas between the guide string as they can be missed quite easily.

Vacuum Cleaner

The easiest way to clean blinds is with a vacuum cleaner, providing you have a brush attachment. This is the simplest and quickest way to remove dust and grime from your wooden blinds. By using the brush, rather than just the pipe, means that you are less likely to damage the blinds as the soft bristles capture the dust without marking the surface of the blinds.

Feather Duster

If you prefer your cleaning to be more manual, then consider using either a feather-duster, micro-fibre cloth or a speciality slat cleaner. The latter works, and depending on the style allows you to clean two or three blinds at once. This is because the blinds sit between the fingers of the device with each one covered in fibres that catch the dust as you swipe along with the blinds.

Cotton Glove 

It is always a good idea to use a cotton glove when cleaning blinds. If you hold the blinds in your gloved hand as you clean them with the other, you will remove the chance of getting fingerprints on your lovely newly cleaned blinds.

 Do Not Use Water

One thing you shouldn’t do when cleaning wooden blinds is to use water. Wood will absorb moisture which can cause your blinds to expand and warp. Not only that, but in many cases, wooden blinds will have been treated with special stains or varnishes during their manufacturing process and water can cause this to streak, or worse, peel off completely.

Wooden blinds, if looked after, will enhance any home. Like any part of your room, they will need cleaning, but integrating it into your routine means they will look their best for longer and allow everyone inside and out of the home to feel their benefits.

We hope you have enjoyed this month’s blog post, and hopefully have a better idea of how to clean wooden blinds. If you have any other queries or wish to contact us, visit our contact page or call us on 01908 503200.