Don’t Be in the Dark About Cleaning Your Window Blinds

Cleaning window blinds is one of those household duties that’s easy to put off or forget entirely. But the task is not complicated, so wait no longer. Here’s our handy guide to cleaning window blinds.

The right tools for the job

Try cleaning your blinds once a month to keep down the dust and dirt. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a hose and a soft bristle attachment. A microfiber cloth is helpful as well.

Step one

Start by vacuuming your blinds. Close them completely, then start at the top of the blinds and move down the window. Vacuum horizontal blinds from side edge to side edge, letting the brush attachment stir the dust into the suction of the vacuum tube. Vacuum vertical blinds from top to bottom. If you take your time, the vacuum will remove most of the dust. Once you’ve finished one side, turn the blind slats so you can vacuum the other.

Step two

Dampen your soft microfiber cloth with warm water and wring out the excess. Again, start at the top. Wipe horizontal blinds side to side and vertical blinds from top to bottom, then clean their other side. Frequently rinse your rag and wring it out completely. This step should remove any remaining dust, but in a kitchen, you may need to use a solution of mild vinegar, dish soap and water to remove greasy or sticky residue.

Deeper cleaning the blinds

If these cleaning steps have not worked, fill a bathtub with a few inches of warm water, some mild dish soap and two cups of baking soda. Remove the blinds from the window and gently lower them into the water. Let them soak for an hour. Drain the tub, run fresh water to rinse, and dip the blinds again. Spread towels on the floor and lay the blinds on them to drain and dry. Give them a rubdown with a dry towel before rehanging.

While you’re at it

Since you are already cleaning your blinds, now is a good time to give your window glass a good cleaning, inside and out, as well.

Gadgets

For a nominal price, you can buy small blind dusters that make cleaning your blinds faster and more efficient.

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