It’s a good idea to get into the habit of removing dust from these often forgotten areas and clean them every couple of weeks, as it will reduce your family’s susceptibility to illness or allergies. Although dust is unlikely to cause significant health issues, it might aggravate symptoms, especially for asthma or hay fever sufferers. In this article we will provide some simple tips to show you how to clean your blinds with minimal effort and fuss.
Equipment You Will Need
The best news about cleaning your aluminium blinds is that you won’t need any fancy equipment other than a microfibre cloth and a vacuum cleaner. You can use a multi-purpose cleaner such as Handy Andy if you require a deeper clean for removal of stains, but good, old-fashioned vinegar or soapy water can be equally as effective.
Don’t be tempted to use a feather duster to clean your blinds, as they tend to spread the dust around rather than trap and remove it, whereas a microfibre cloth will catch the dirt. The only downside to this is that you may need to shake off the cloth in between wipes, or fold it in a different way to ensure you are using a clean section.
Dry Dusting Method
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The best way to start is by wiping down the blinds with a dry microfibre cloth. If the blinds are dusty rather than dirty, this might be all you need to do other than vacuuming any dust residue afterwards. Close the blinds fully and wipe them either horizontally or vertically depending on the design of the slats.
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Open your blinds fully and clean them again with the microfibre cloth to remove the dust on the other side.
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Close the blinds for a final time and check any areas that you may have missed. Give them a final wipe down in both the open and closed positions and then vacuum them with a brush attachment to clear any remaining residue. You may also need to vacuum the floor beneath the blinds depending how dusty they were when you began.
Dishwashing Liquid Cleaning Method
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If you dust your blinds regularly, you are unlikely to need to clean them with a cleaning solution but accidents do happen and, in the unlikely event that they are sticky or dirty, a simple mix of warm water and dishwashing liquid can provide a cheap and effective cleaning solution. After you have dusted your blinds, fill a bucket with warm water and add a small squeeze of a dishwashing liquid such as Sunlight.
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Dip a microfibre or soft cloth into the soapy solution and wipe the slats of the blind either vertically or horizontally according to their design. Make sure you clean them in the open and closed position.
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Wipe the blinds dry with a dry, soft cloth, or open the window and leave the blind slats open to dry naturally.
Vinegar Cleaning Method
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If you have neglected to clean your blinds for a long time or the aluminium has become tarnished, you might find they require a tougher course of action to remove the dirt and grime. After you have dusted your blinds, fill a bucket with 2 parts warm water and 2 parts white vinegar.
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Dip a microfibre cloth into the cleaning solution and wipe the slats horizontally or vertically according to their design on both sides. Be sure to rinse the cloth in between slats if it becomes too dirty.
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Wipe the blinds dry with a soft cloth, or dry them off with newspaper or paper towels to ensure a streak-free finish.
Aluminium window blinds are a decorative and useful means of privacy for those who aren’t keen on fabric curtains but want to keep out the sunlight. However, the shiny surface is like a magnet to dust and dirt and they can very quickly become an eyesore if they are not cleaned regularly.
Follow our simple cleaning tips and you can have them sparkling again in no time with the help of a few stock items you probably already have in your home. Aluminium blinds can last between five and eight years, but you can improve their longevity and prevent discoloration and deterioration by maintaining a regular cleaning schedule.
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