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.
Give your venetian blinds a quick clean each week with the vacuum. Close the slats and vacuum them using the brush attachment. Then open the blinds again and shut the slats the other way, so you can vacuum the underside.
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!
Dusting blinds regularly can help to prevent a build up of dirt and dust.
An old sock can be used as a soft cloth to clean venetian blinds.
Synthetic blinds can be washed in the bathtub with a biological detergent.