Venetian blinds can pick up grime and dust like nobody’s business, and are notoriously known for being tricky to clean – but fear not! While the best way to clean venetian blinds depends on how dirty they are, as well as whether they’re made from wood or a synthetic material, this guide makes cleaning either type a breeze!
Remember: Test all cleaning products or polishes on a small, inconspicuous patch before going over the whole area to avoid any unwanted effects such as discolouration.
How to Clean Venetian Blinds: Frequent Cleaning
Though it may sound like a cliché, ‘little and often’ also holds true if you want consistently clean Venetian blinds. Regular cleaning will prevent dirt from building up, reducing the need for a lengthy deep clean. Follow these simple steps to make things a little easier on yourself:
- Tie back the curtains and make sure all other soft furnishings are out of the way.
- Dust with a light feather duster (an old t-shirt or tea towel works well too).
- Wipe each slat with a dry cloth to remove visible debris.
- Apply a bespoke blind cleaning solution – look for one with an anti-static agent to help prevent dust from gathering in future.
Timesaving tip: Instead of going over each slat by hand, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush attachment to avoid scratching the blinds and suck up dust in half the time.
Cleaning Venetian Blinds – Synthetic Materials
One of the best ways of thoroughly cleaning Venetian blinds from top to bottom is the tried and trusted bath method – (of course, the following steps are not suitable for wooden blinds):
- Detach blinds from their fixing (most modern designs sit on slide-off plastic fittings for easy removal meaning you don’t have to be a DIY whizz and remove the brackets).
- Fill a bath around a third full of warm water. Add half a cup of biological detergent powder – use a fragranced product to add a subtle scent to freshen up the room.
- Submerge the blinds and run a cloth over each slat.
- Leave to drip dry over a shower rail or on the washing line outside if it’s a nice day, then put back up, and you’re done!
Wooden Venetian Blinds Cleaning
Although wooden blinds lend a rustic feel to modern homes, cleaning them requires a more delicate approach. Detergent is a no-no as it could end up warping the wood. Follow these no-fuss steps for a quick, easy clean:
- Poke a feather duster through each groove to dislodge the excess dust and traverse from left to right to dislodge any dirt.
- Apply a wood cleaning spray to a soft cotton cloth and run over each slat.
- For best results, run over the slats once more with a non-wax furniture polish.
Timesaving tip: Instead of using a soft cotton cloth for step 2, apply the cleaning spray to an old sock and wear it as a glove, running your hand over each slat for a handy shortcut!