How to clean horizontal blinds at home

How to remove blinds from a window

In principle, you can clean the curtains in their working form, without removing them from the opening. But only if the contamination is insignificant and you can get by by wiping the slats with a damp cloth. If there are serious stains, a general cleaning is necessary. Before this, the structure must be removed from the window.

Vertical

They work like this:

The blinds open completely.
Using a control cord, they are assembled together.
Remove the chain from the weights by holding the clasps with your fingers.
Take out the plastic parts.
Carefully remove the slats from the cornice runners.

If the design is complicated and it is difficult to remove the slats, it is better to contact a dry cleaner.

Horizontal

Dismantling will have to be carried out armed with a screwdriver. The reverse process may require spare parts (screws and bolts).

Close the curtain.
Remove the box by prying the fasteners with a screwdriver.
Raise the bars.
Pull the latches located on the bracket towards you and remove them from the mount.

If the clamps are difficult to bend, the slats are removed along with the fasteners. But before washing, they still remove it (it’s more convenient to do this at the bottom).

Rolled

You will also have to go through several stages.

Roll the blinds as tightly as possible.
Disconnect the line.
Remove the plugs.
Free yourself from the protective capsule.
Using a screwdriver, pry up and remove the rod on which the blind strip is attached.

In general, roller blinds can be disassembled without much difficulty.

Should I remove the blinds to clean them?

Before choosing a method for removing dirt from the slats, you should decide whether it is possible to remove them from the window or whether you will have to carry out the entire procedure on site. This will depend on the size of the structure. If the window is large, then you can bring a basin of water and wash the horizontal blinds.

The small size will allow you to remove metal shutters, and the whole process will have its advantages, namely:

All contaminants can be removed more effectively and quickly. Each plank can be treated with soapy water or powder, and if necessary, soaked for a while.
When the curtain is removed, you can always remove dirt even from the farthest corners and rinse it more efficiently from the cleaning agent.
Any moisture after washing is completely dried so that it does not subsequently lead to the appearance of unsightly rust spots.
You can even wash the cords that connect the slats and also get dirty over time and acquire an unattractive dark shade.

But if it is not possible to remove the blinds, then there is no need to be upset about this. If you wash horizontal blinds on site, this will have its advantages, namely:

You can save time on dismantling and installing panels after cleaning.
The drying process will occur independently, without additional effort.
In one go, you can wash the surrounding objects, including the window sill and glass.

Having decided whether to remove the blinds or leave them in place, you can begin the cleaning process itself.

Caring for vertical blinds

Much depends on the material of manufacture.

Plastic blinds are not afraid of moisture. A sponge soaked in soapy water is perfect for cleaning.
Blinds made from natural materials (cotton, linen) can also be wiped with a slightly damp cloth.
It is more difficult with synthetic and polyester vertical curtains: they cannot be exposed to hot water: the slats will move in waves.
Fiberglass slats can only be cleaned dry. Occasionally you can walk with a damp cloth.

Vertical blinds should be washed at home on the window using soap or other similar solution.

Important: Plastic slats can easily become deformed if handled carelessly. To avoid creases, proceed carefully.

The algorithm is simple.

Close the curtain.
Install the slats so that the ribs are facing you.
Apply diluted detergent to both sides of the blinds with a spray bottle.
Wipe each plastic lamella with a napkin or brush.
Using a lint-free cloth that absorbs moisture well, carefully wipe the blinds.

It is very convenient to work with a steam generator. Some models have a special attachment for blinds. It covers both stripes at once. The device is passed along the vertical bars from bottom to top, practically without stopping. Such cleaning is rarely done, since steam, like water, has a negative effect on the impregnation of the slats.

Get rid of dust

How to effectively wash vertical and horizontal fabric blinds? First of all, you need to remove all dust from the fabric. Use a handheld or regular vacuum cleaner that has a small brush attachment. It can be purchased separately. Vacuum both sides of fabric blinds.

Wash fabric blinds with a solution

Mix dish soap, warm water and a couple of tablespoons of baking soda. Dampen the entire length of the fabric with the solution - it’s easier, of course, to remove the blinds, but if this is not possible, just take the solution into a sponge and squeeze it onto the fabric. Then rinse the fabric blinds with water in the same way.

How to wash fabric blinds

Fabric blinds are vacuumed regularly. If the fabric is dense, it is not forbidden to wipe it with a dampened brush.

Important Fabric blinds are covered with a protective layer at the manufacturing stage, which “works” only until the first wash. Therefore, you should avoid dry cleaning as much as possible.

Heavy stains can only be removed by washing. We are not talking about a washing machine. Only hand washing will preserve the lamellas from deformation and loss of presentable appearance.

Remove the blinds from the mounting. Place in a stack and place in a bathtub filled with warm water and diluted liquid soap or dishwashing gel.

After half an hour, when the dirt has soaked and moved away from the fabric, wipe each part of the curtain with a sponge or soft brush. After cleaning, rinse and dry.

Hanging blinds over the bathroom. When the water has drained, the curtain is returned to its place. Ironing fabric slats is not recommended, except through gauze and at low temperature.

Stains from fabric blinds can be removed at home with a chlorine-free stain remover. Gently rinse off the product with water and wipe the treated surface dry.

Options for wet cleaning of horizontal blinds

Before washing horizontal aluminum blinds, choose the appropriate option. If the surface of the slats is contaminated with dust and grease deposits, then only a thorough cleaning of the bathroom and dismantling the entire structure will help. Minor dirt and dust, which can be removed simply with a damp cloth without using detergent, can be cleaned without removing the blind system.

Advice! To choose the appropriate cleaning method, try wiping the dirty lamella with a damp cloth. If the dirt comes off quickly, then it is allowed to wash without dismantling. Otherwise, you need to place the entire canvas with the cornice in the bathroom.

In the bathroom

To wash the entire structure in the bathroom, it needs to be removed from the window frame, so first you need to figure out how to remove the blinds from the window for washing. Since horizontal blinds with slats made of plastic, aluminum or wood are quite heavy, they are fixed to the sash using special brackets.

How to remove and wash vertical fabric blinds from a window at home

To remove the entire structure from the bracket, do the following:

first, lower the curtain completely and bring the slats to the closed position (this will make them easier to wash);
remove the control stick so that it does not interfere with the washing process;
remove the side plugs from the ends of the eaves box;
we unclench the holding mechanism of the metal bracket or simply release the box from the bracket latches (the method of removal depends on the design of the fastening element);
after this, the curtain needs to be moved to the bathroom along with the cornice.

Now let's talk about how to wash aluminum blinds in the bathroom. There are different washing methods. If grease and dirt are difficult to wash off, it is recommended to soak the canvas in warm soapy water for a couple of hours. After this, the dirty water is drained and the curtain is washed by pouring hot water from the shower and wiping with a sponge soaked in liquid detergent. Finally, the canvas is rinsed with clean water and hung on the sash to dry. There is no need to open or lift the slats until they are completely dry. Otherwise they will stick together and will have to be separated by hand.

Attention! Be careful not to allow water to get inside the box and wet the swing-and-lift mechanism. Otherwise it will rust and stop working.

You don’t have to soak the fabric for a long time, but wash it immediately. In this case, it is better to work with an assistant. One person should hold the curtain rod with the slats down over the bathtub, while the other person washes it with a sponge and detergent and waters it from the shower. Don't forget that you need to wash the slats on both sides.

Without removing the structure

Now we will tell you how to clean blinds without removing them from the window. If dust has accumulated on the lamellas, they can be cleaned without dismantling them. This is done using a dry rag or a special dust brush, the bristles of which accumulate static electricity and attract dust well. To do this, bring the canvas into a closed state and go over the surface with a dry cloth or brush.

The slats can also be cleaned of dust using a vacuum cleaner. To do this, install a soft nozzle for cleaning furniture on the unit and turn it on at minimum power. While working, hold the blade with your hand so that it does not get damaged. Wet cleaning can also be carried out without removing the louver structure.

We carry out the work in this order:

First, remove dust from the surface of the slats with a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner.
After this, using a damp cloth or damp disposable wipes, wipe the surface of the closed canvas from top to bottom, holding it with your hand.
When the fabric gets dirty, rinse it in clean water and change the napkins.
If necessary, you can wipe each lamella separately. To do this, we transfer the canvas to an open state. Although the work is quite labor-intensive, the result will please you.
After wet cleaning, allow the slats to dry completely. To prevent them from attracting dust in the future, spray them with an antistatic laundry solution and let them dry in the open position.

Important! Since the glass will also become a little dirty when washing the canvas on the window, after the slats have dried, they lift the curtain and wipe the glass itself.

Features of cleaning blinds Day-Night

These are roller blinds made of textiles. Caring for them is not difficult. The fabric strips are specially processed. Impregnation prevents dust from accumulating intensively. But you still need to clean them. It is better to do this systematically, for example, monthly vacuuming with a brush attachment. Or sweeping away the dust with a broom or a dry rag.

More thorough care involves wiping the roller shutters with a damp sponge. It should be washed periodically in a solution of chlorine-free detergent and wrung out. You don't have to remove the curtain from the window. Dry unfolded.

When cleaning, do not rub or twist the fabric too much to prevent the product from becoming deformed. Stains are removed with natural stain removers. Do not use solvents or chlorine bleaches. In advanced cases, the recommendation not to wash the blinds is ignored.

The curtain is removed from the curtain rod, rolled into a tube, and soaked in warm water with the addition of detergent. After 30 minutes, clean the fabric strips with a sponge. Then rinse and roll onto the holder rod. Hang them on the window where they dry quickly.

With timely and proper cleaning, the curtain will last a long time and will delight you with a fresh look.

Plastic and plastic products

Structures made of plastic or resin are usually horizontal. If they are not very dirty, then it is enough to close them and wipe them one by one on each side with a soft damp cloth or a special brush for cleaning blinds. The procedure is repeated approximately once a week. For more severe contamination, open structures are wiped on both sides, first with a rag soaked in soapy water, and then simply with a damp cloth (or, accordingly, first with a “soapy” cloth, then with a damp brush). After the “water procedures” the slats are wiped with a dry soft cloth.

Blinds that are completely dirty will have to be removed and washed thoroughly in the bathroom. In warm weather, if possible, “bath procedures” are also carried out in the yard (for example, if you live in a private house). The blinds are hung open (you can use a clothesline for this purpose), washed with a stream of warm water (not very strong so that the slats are not deformed), while wiping them with a soft brush or sponge, moving from top to bottom. If the slats are contaminated not only with dust, but also with grease, which often happens in the kitchen, soap suds are additionally used to clean them. Foam from dishwashing detergent works well. After the blinds are cleaned on one side, they are carefully turned over to the other side and the procedure is repeated. Then the slats should be carefully rinsed with clean water. After it has drained, the structures are thoroughly wiped with a dry cloth.

Blinds can also be soaked before sponging. Dilute the detergent in the bath, lower the structure into it and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then proceed as written above: hang it, treat it with a sponge, etc.

What to do with bamboo blinds

On the one hand, bamboo curtains are not afraid of wet processing, since the raw material successfully resists dampness. But a large amount of liquid after drying out in a city apartment can lead to swelling and subsequent cracking of the reeds. And the binding cords will stretch after washing and drying. Therefore, it is better to regularly wipe the components of the curtains with a damp cloth. It is not forbidden to wet the bamboo with polish.

How to wash blinds without removing them from the windows

This is done when the curtains are monitored and not allowed to become heavily soiled. They use the already mentioned vacuum cleaner and broom. Wet wipes are also good. Additionally, they resort to wiping the slats with a soap solution. Act carefully so that splashes do not scatter around.

An original way to wash blinds is to use textile gloves instead of a sponge. They are worn over thin rubber ones. By wetting it in a cleaning solution, they simultaneously wipe the slats from the front and back sides, thus reducing cleaning time.

You can purchase special devices for washing blinds. Such brushes capture several lamellas at once and on both sides.

Metal and plastic curtains can be cleaned with a steam generator. If you don’t want to clean the blinds yourself, place an order with cleaning specialists. They will clean the curtains without removing the structure, quickly, professionally, using special products.

Fabric blinds

Most often they are installed in offices, since such curtains are multifunctional and perfectly complement the business style of the workplace. If dust settles on the strips in your office, go over the covered fabric slats with a vacuum cleaner. Often this is enough.

If you want to clean some spots, you will have to work hard. The manufacturer does not recommend washing such blinds in order to preserve the specific impregnation on the material for as long as possible.

Such curtains can be wiped with... wet wipes to care for the baby's skin. They easily remove small dirt and water stains.

Advice. Do not overdo it - you should not clean the entire lamella with wet accessories. It is enough to clean the overly contaminated area with it; wipe the rest of the surface of the segment with a regular damp cloth.

Removing stains

How to clean blinds if the slats are stained with grease, drinks, or children have drawn lines with felt-tip pens, etc. They try to get rid of the contamination immediately.

Use a stationery eraser to erase the stain, as if from paper. Do not press too hard so as not to damage the coating.
Use natural bleaches and stain removers, never chlorine.
They use liquids intended for cleaning certain types of blinds.
They resort to a steam generator.
Go to dry cleaning. They clean curtains using professional equipment and special products.

The rules for caring for blinds are simple. With regular dry cleaning there will be no stubborn stains. If, however, the condition of the curtains is brought to a critical level, they can be saved using special detergents.