By Alex Pupkin Submitted On March 23, 2015
Venetian blinds are versatile and popular window treatments that are constructed from a wide range of materials including plastic, metal, or even wood. If you have Venetian blinds in your home, you're no doubt aware of their propensity to attract dust. As such, cleaning these window treatments is a necessary endeavour that requires special attention to the type of material and even the amount of dust.
Regular Maintenance is Best
Ideally, you want to regularly clean your Venetian blinds so they require only light cleaning. Weekly wiping and dusting of your blinds will prevent stains and dirt from building up making the job of cleaning much easier. Simply put your blinds in the closed position and wipe them clean. Flip the blinds to the opposite position and wipe again. Using a soft cotton glove, dust-attracting cloth, or even a clothes dryer sheet helps to remove dust more easily. You may even want to spray your blinds with a mild cleaning spray or warm soapy water if you're cleaning metal or plastic blinds. If you have wooden Venetian blinds, wipe them with a dry glove or cloth to avoid streaking.
When you're wiping your blinds, start from the center and wipe to the edge on both sides and from the top of your blinds to the bottom. This will help ensure that you remove all dust the first time. Also, if your blinds are more heavily soiled, be sure to change your cloth or gloves regularly to prevent spreading dirt across your blinds.
Vacuum Cleaning
Another method for cleaning Venetian blinds is to vacuum them. Again, regular cleaning is ideal to maintain the quality and condition of your blinds, so you probably want to vacuum them at least a few times a year. Most vacuum cleaners come with a soft brush attachment that can be used for cleaning blinds. If you don't have this attachment, you should purchase one as other attachments may scratch or chip the slats in your blinds. With the blinds closed, vacuum each of the slats from center to edge and from the top of the blinds to the bottom. You'll also want to steady the blinds with your free hand. Once you have vacuumed one side of the slats, flip them to the opposite direction and repeat this process.
Deep Cleaning
Even the most assiduous cleaner will likely discover that their blinds need a deeper cleaning at least once a year. For plastic or metal blinds, immerse your blinds in warm water and add a cleaning solution such as dishwashing soap or bleach. Allow the blinds to soak for at least half an hour and then gently wash with a soft cleaning brush. Then just rinse your blinds clean and allow them to dry. For wooden blinds, you should never use bleach or detergent, so it is important to maintain a more regular cleaning schedule.
For more information on blinds and how to take care of it, please visit Arlene's Interiors
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