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Shiny windows are a must, but window treatments need TLC too, which is why you need to know how to clean blinds in a snap. “Although many remember to clean windows regularly, cleaning the window coverings that protect windows can often slip your mind,” says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys, a custom window treatment retailer in Nottingham, England. Window blinds—whether the slats are vinyl, wood, fabric, or aluminum—are great at keeping a room cool, blocking out light, and providing privacy from nosy neighbors, but they’re also great at collecting dust, pet hair, and other grime.
If you’ve been avoiding the duster because you think clean blinds require hours of painstakingly wiping down one slat at a time, worry not. You don’t have to micro clean or take the entire thing off the window (most of the time). Don’t go into blind cleaning, well, blindly. All you need know about how to clean blinds in 30 minutes or less is what tools to use.
Read on for expert-approved cleaning tips that help you utilize vacuum brush attachments and the power of a microfiber cloth, and see how a clean sock could be a superhero.
What is the easiest way to clean your blinds?
The easiest way to maintain your blinds is to prevent them from getting too dirty in the first place. Clean your blinds regularly—every week or two is best—and the dust won’t have a chance to build up, says Sara San Angelo, a professional housecleaner and founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady. Invest in a hand-held blind-duster tool that quickly picks up lint and other particles in a jiffy. Think of it as flossing for your window treatments.
Aside from looking better, keeping your blinds clean can also help your investment last longer. Blinds that are well taken care of should last for decades (even though most new blinds have a warranty of five years).
What is the best way to clean blinds without taking them down?
Most of the time, there’s no need to remove blinds from your window before cleaning them, no matter what type of blinds you have. “You can use a vacuum to remove everyday dirt and dust, and we would recommend using an upholstery wand,” says Adam Skalman, vice president of sales development and training at The Shade Store. “Vacuum the blinds from top to bottom to ensure that they stay in place. You can also use a feather duster or soft paint brush to remove excess dust, or for more stubborn stains, you can use warm water and dish soap.” This method generally works well for wood, aluminum, and vertical blinds.
Below, a detailed outline on how to clean blinds in five easy steps:
First things first: Designate cleaning supplies to tackle the blinds. Check to see which vacuum cleaner brush attachments best fit the blinds in your rooms. You’ll also want to have some microfiber cloths to get into the nooks and crannies. You can also put a clean sock over your hand, dip it into water, and you’ll be able to clean all the window treatments in your house. A small tub of warm water and dish soap will help with more stubborn grime. Careful with harsh chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, as they can damage aluminum blinds as well as vinyl and wood.
Begin by fully lowering the blinds so that they’re covering the entire length of the window. Wood and faux-wood blinds can be completely closed; the slats of vinyl and aluminum blinds, which often overlap, should be tilted downward, but not completely closed for cleaning.
For vertical blinds, hold the bottom of the blind in one hand to stabilize it. Wipe the blinds with a microfiber cloth, starting from the top and working your way down. Wipe in a downward motion or they could come unhooked. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a soft dusting brush attachment and a low-suction setting to remove dust. For horizontal blinds, the process is exactly the same except that you wipe from side to side. Work from the top slat to the bottom slat, so dust doesn’t fall on areas you’ve already cleaned. Greenworks Handheld Cordless vacuum with a HEPA filter can clean blinds in less than five minutes.
Once one side of the blinds is clean, flip them so the other side is facing you. Even if you’ve already vacuumed with a brush attachment, you have to repeat the process, especially if this is not a chore you do often. You can also go over the surface area with a microfiber cloth to handle any stubborn spots. You might even notice that the window-facing side is a bit dirtier as outside pollution can build up on the slats. In this case, a solution of dish soap and white vinegar can help dislodge the grime. Wipe away with a damp cloth and let air dry.
When cleaning blinds, you’re likely to shed a lot of dust and debris onto the floor and possibly into the surrounding area, especially the windowsill. Be sure to clean this up with a vacuum. A microfiber dusting mitt is also a quick solution for picking up stray particles. You might also want to plan ahead for future blind-cleaning sessions. If your blinds haven’t been seen a blind cleaner for a while, and you see visible dust bunnies, consider putting a drop cloth down to catch any dust as it falls.
How do professionals clean blinds?
There’s no special trick to cleaning blinds. Professionals use the same tools and techniques that DIY homeowners have access to. Remember, many experts rely on workhorse tools like a microfiber cloth. They’re inexpensive, easy to care for, and you can keep multiple on hand for cleaning jobs. They’re ideal for cleaning blinds since they’re less likely to leave behind the debris that you might get with a regular duster or feather duster.
How do you clean vinyl blinds and wood blinds?
Most traditional blinds are plastic (also referred to as vinyl) and can be cleaned using the process outlined above. If you’re reaching for a cleaner, most all-purpose cleaners should work, says San Angelo. If you’re not sure if the solution is safe for your vinyl blinds, try it on a small area first, as certain cleaning agents can turn the material yellow.
For wood blinds, dust as outlined above. Then consider finishing with a bit of furniture polish. Spray some onto a microfiber cloth then wipe it on the slats. This will help preserve the wood and repel dust.
What if blinds need more than dusting?
“Dusting once a week or two weeks is often enough to clean your blinds, but sometimes dust will stick to them, especially in the kitchen where grease will accumulate on the blinds,” San Angelo notes. For this type of grime, reach for a microfiber cloth dampened with warm water. If you have wooden blinds, be careful not to get them too wet.
Store-bought cleaners can also be helpful, and San Angelo often uses Dawn Powerwash Spray for tough jobs. But beware that this approach is more time consuming. “Cleaning blinds with any type of liquid cleaner can be a laborious task as you really need to clean each slat individually,” she says. Instead, consider soaking them. Here’s how:
Step 1: Take the blinds off the window and place them in a bathtub with warm water, a few generous squirts of dish soap, and a cup of baking soda (a natural stain fighter).
Step 2: Let the blinds soak for about an hour, and then rinse with clean water and let dry before rehanging.
Step 3: If white blinds are still looking dingy and yellowish, they’ve probably been stained by the UV rays of the sun. Don’t worry, though, because that can be fixed too. Pop the blinds into the tub with cold water and three cups of liquid bleach. Let the blinds soak for no more than 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry off. The bleach should revive the blinds.
How do you clean other types of window treatments?
If you have shutters, you can use the exact same process outlined above. If you have fabric shades—such as Roman or honeycomb shades—you can clean those at home too, but the process is a little different. Lower the shades, then use the soft brush attachment and the low suction setting on your vacuum cleaner to go over the shades, starting from the top. When you’re done with one side, maneuver behind the fabric shade and vacuum the other side.
If there are stains, spot-treat them with a mixture of clear liquid dish soap and warm water in a bowl (and a teaspoon of baking soda for a heavy stain). Wet a microfiber cloth with the solution and wring it out, so it is not soaking wet or dripping. Dab at the stain with the damp cloth. Do this multiple times depending on the stubbornness of the stain. Repeat with a clean cloth moistened with plain water and let the shade air dry. If spot cleaning is not enough to clear up the stain, you can take the fabric blinds to the dry cleaner for a thorough refresh.