Window blind cleaning can be easy and make even cheaper blinds look spotless and attractive. These simple instructions will tell you how to clean vertical blinds, clean wood blinds, clean faux wood blinds, clean fabric blinds, and more!

When tidying around the house, it’s easy to forget to dust the blinds. The best way to clean your blinds is prevention: regularly dust them and you won’t have to worry about stains and dirt build up, which are more difficult to clean. However, if you do forget, here are some cleaning methods. Here are some general tips for all types:

• Remember, the best method is a regular dusting. You can use a feather duster, dusting cloths, or even an old sock.
• You can also vacuum once a month to keep them spotless.
• Make sure you get both sides. To do this you can turn the slats at a 45 degree angle, dust, then turn them at a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction. If you close the blinds completely to clean them, you might miss spots hidden behind the overlap.
• While dusting or cleaning blinds that are still hanging (if you don’t take them down), lay a sheet or garbage bag below the blinds to catch any dust or dirt that might fall. When finished with one set, take it outside and shake it out before moving on to the next set.
• Only use warm water where necessary. Hot water can cause damage.
• Once blinds are clean, you can use a fabric softener to prevent static (which attracts dust). Note: if using a liquid softener, make sure it is only damp (excess water can damage wood blinds).
• If you have any questions or doubts, you can also refer to a manual or call the manufacturer.

Some types require specific methods of cleaning.

Wood blinds

Remember to dust regularly; vacuuming will work as well. Be careful when cleaning the cheaper wood blinds. Do not use water or get these wet! Water can seep into the wood, even with higher quality finished shades, and cause warping. Also, make sure the blinds are clean and dust free before using a furniture wax based furniture polish. The wax can trap dirt and dust – so do not use a wax based polish before cleaning! If slats are really dirty, you may use a small amount of oil soap, but be careful.

Faux wood blinds

These fashionable blinds are cheaper and easier to clean than real wood blinds. Dust regularly; a vacuum with a brush attachment is also ideal for cobwebs and bugs. If more extensive cleaning is necessary, you can use a sponge or cloth with warm water (you may need to add soap as well; dish soaps are good). Do not use hot water. It may be easier to take them down to clean them. Make sure you let them dry before hanging. If they are hanging, you can point a fan towards them to help them dry faster.

Vinyl Blinds and Aluminum Blinds

As usual, dust and vacuum. If necessary, use a mild detergent with warm water. While washing these more affordable blinds, take care so you don’t bend or break the slats. To clean aluminum blinds, you can wipe them regularly with a damp cloth.

Fabric Blinds

Try to vacuum these regularly. You can use mild detergent and warm water for small stains. When using water, wring out the cloth to get rid of excess water. You can wipe them with a dry sponge.

Honeycomb

These are usually stain resistant and anti-static, so they probably will not require as much cleaning. They can be vacuumed (low setting), and you can use water for stains, but not often as it may cause discoloration. Do not use magnetic cleaners as they can damage the room-darkening backing.

Vertical Blinds

These might seem like bargain blinds, since you may think they require less cleaning (less dust will settle on vertical blinds). They still do need to be dusted and vacuumed, as neglect can cause dirt build up or stains. When vacuuming, make sure you start at the top and go down. There are special attachments for vertical blinds

If you have to clean them, it will probably be difficult if they are hanging, so you’ll want to take them down. Fabric vanes have a weight in the bottom of them; take this out before cleaning. Be careful not to bend or be too rough with vinyl or aluminum

There are also blind cleaning services out there, but why not save money and use these do-it-yourself methods?

1) Leaving windows for last !!!!!!!!!!!!! Window fashions create pleasing illusions of depth or Purchasing new furniture before measuring the room. Spend time in the room, instead of using a presale floor plan or picture. Have the window treatments in place early to protect furnishings from UV rays. One option for large slider windows is new Cadence® Motif Soft Vertical Blinds with the first and only curved, soft-fabric louver.

3) Buying area rugs too small. Area rugs should reveal only 12 to 16 inches of floor. Furniture should ground the rug.

4) Choosing wall colors that are too pale. The larger the room, the more depth a color needs. To enhance the effect, use a matching or complementary window fashion. Silhouette window shadings in fabric from the Matisse Collection™, the first fabric with colored sheer facings as well as colored vanes, enrich the color impact.

5) Hanging artwork too high. The bottom of the art should be eight to 10 inches above the furniture tops.

6) Highlighting wimpy trims and moldings. Paint trims three inches or smaller the same color as the wall to avoid a “racing stripe effect.” You can even cover trim with a vertical window fashion, such as Luminette® Privacy Sheers, mounted outside the window frame from ceiling to floor.

7) Buying too many small accessories. Hold off on trendy accessories for a year or two and you could save enough for a substantial piece of furniture.

Scattering your collectibles. If displaying collectibles in a sunny spot, choose a window fashion that will protect them from fading. With its two sheer panels, Silhouette shadings are among the few that offer generous protection against UV rays while allowing for light and a view.

9) Having more than one focal point. If it’s the window, it will visually influence the rest of the room. Duette® honeycomb shades with the top-down/bottom-up feature create appealing visual patterns. They soften light while lowering energy bills.

10) Getting it all done in a day. When you buy all the décor in a day, it looks it. It’s more fun to “build” the look.

Sometimes you walk into a room that is perfectly decorated, only to get the feeling that things are just “too perfect.” Sometimes all that’s needed is a little surprise–something that doesn’t really belong but adds a touch of whimsy.

In this type of situation, I like to add the unexpected.

In a perfectly traditional room with matching sofas, matching end tables, matching side chairs, and matching lamps, consider adding something ultra modern. A modern painting, a minimalist chair or table, or a contemporary sculpture could be just what’s needed to jolt your eye away from the boring.

In a very contemporary interior with stark white walls, black furniture, sleek and smooth surfaces, try a textured area rug in fuscia, add a bold-patterned pillow on a chair, place a pair of classic silver candlesticks and colored candles or a traditional floral arrangement on a dining room table. Just something enough to break the tedious look of everything matching.

Apply these principles to your window dressing choices !! have fun.. be wild and creative !

Lizzy

I was browsing around window treatment sites today and found these great installation movies. They really show how easy it is to install blinds yourself. Remember that you will find your best sales, best rebates and product options with online shopping. And helpful information, like these movies, give you the confidence to purchase online. You can check them out here.

Freddy the installer

Faux Wood Blinds  are one of my favorite blinds.   They are particularly effective in more traditional homes where existing woodwork needs to be complimented with natural (or natural looking) products.  And  Faux Wood is so realistic these days that they often appear more realistic than the real wood in the room that they were supposed to compliment !

But Faux Wood blinds are not only for looks.  Their robust structure gives them the key functions you desire in a blind:  privacy, weight that let’s them hang correctly and 100% privacy when needed.   And the best part of Faux Wood is that they are as durable as the siding on your own home.

Yes, Faux Wood for tradition, for durability, for functionality.  One of our favorite products.

Thank you for reading our review.

Blindshadestore

Light bending, elegant blinds in both horizontal and vertical configurations.  Expert help and top sellers on sale now.  Explore the free shipping options.

Beautiful Faux Wood blinds will bring the look of quality and elegance into any home.  10% joff and more !  Rebates on some of our most fashionable styles.

Bright and cheery.  Our shudders can bright up a room, provide privacy yet allow you to easily oversee your property with just a glance.  Best selection, save money, free samples and more !

Remember, that shudders are not only a bright and cheery option, but allow the free flow of air into your room.  Top sellers only now on sale.

Brighten up any room, yet retain all the privacy you need !  Free samples.

Create more possibilities by combining our shade products with other window treatments. In this case we combined shades and custom shudders to achieve an old world look.  Rebates on some models now.

You may live in the city, and have only limited room and window size, but this only increases the possibilities for a dramatic look because your visitors eyes will be fixed on your window treatments as soon as they enter your room ! Explore all the possiblities.

Drapes are often the perfect choice for that elegant look.  Save money on our top sellers.

Nothing says “home & family” more than the traditional look of curtains.  Free samples available on many models.