You adorned your windows with beautiful roller blinds that add another layer to aesthetic appeal. However, these accumulate dust over time, and you crave the sight of vibrant window coverings. We are here to tell you what any trusted blinds manufacturers do: learn how to clean roller blinds, with different techniques for daily, occasional, and yearly cleaning.
In this guide, we will break down how to keep your roller blinds fresh while maintaining integrity and appearance. Take notes, as your window blinds play a massive role in how well-kept your home looks!
How To Clean Roller Blinds: Dusting, Vacuuming, Washing and More
A timeless choice, roller blinds fit nearly any kind of home and any room. Like any window covering, these need your attention to stay pristine. Lucky for you, cleaning roller blinds is fairly simple, easier than cleaning many other types of blinds that fit every room. We’ll go through this guide with the simplest to the most strenuous methods of how to clean roller blinds yourself.
Note: You do have to apply ALL of these methods to keep your roller blinds clean and extend their lifespan. The easiest methods are a part of your daily chores, while ways that need more effort are for occasional cleaning.
Method #1: Cleaning roller blinds with daily dusting and wiping.
Routine dusting for roller blinds takes about 5-10 minutes and saves you from the hassle of frequent deep cleaning.
Roller blinds have no complicated crevices in the fabric, which makes this stress-free. When you clean Venetian blinds or vertical blinds, the slats make removing the dust a tad trickier. When you clean roller blinds, close these all the way down. Hold the bottom in one hand to straighten the material and use your duster.
Dusting is a safe way to clean roller blinds. That said, you should be careful about how sturdy the fabric is. Most modern blinds have a vinyl coating, and you use a damp cloth to wipe away the dust.
However, traditional fabric blinds need more TLC. When dusting these, go for tapping motions to loosen the particles trapped in fibres. It makes the blind look fresher and helps keep your indoor atmosphere cleaner.
Method #2: Using your vacuum cleaner for tougher debris.
You can use vacuum cleaning instead of dusting if you prefer for daily cleaning. This works well enough for PVC or vinyl blinds. However, with cotton, linen, polyester, or any synthetic fabric, too much vacuum cleaning may hinder fabric integrity.
Most homeowners who buy window Blinds in Hinckley and other places choose something water-proof, while some prefer the classic fabrics that need more attention to detail while vacuuming, especially blinds that feature embroidery.
So, use your vacuum cleaner occasionally (once or twice a week) and know how to clean roller blinds using it properly. Use the brush attachment, and make sure your blinds are fully shut. Run the vacuum clean from top to bottom on each side of the blind. Keep the blinds straight by holding the bottom edge to avoid any creasing.
Method #3: Safe stain removal without the need for washing.
There are times when window blinds cannot escape a stain or two. Maybe you had food near your windows, or a child decided to test their crayon on low-hanging roller blinds. Regardless of how they occur, blind stains are usually removable. Act fast, and follow these steps:
- Choose a stain remover according to the fabric and know how to clean roller blinds with it by checking the label. Do a spot test first.
- If you have water-proof blinds, it is likely that the stains don’t set. Using soap and water to clean the stain should suffice.
- When you apply a stain remover (home-made or store-bought) let it sit on for a few minutes (or as long as the label indicates).
Make sure you use a gentle chemical remover if the stain is new and easy to remove. Some chemical cleaners can hinder the durability of the blind fabric.
Method #4: Check for moulds and clean accordingly.
If you have roller blinds up in a room with high moisture, there may be time you sense a musty odour in these. So, when maintaining the best blinds for bathroom or kitchen, or anywhere else where mould is likely, experts advise that you clean with a bit more care.
So, how do you clean roller blinds that have mould buildup? You need a diluted mixture of water with lemon or vinegar (or both). The acidity is effective in killing mould spores. A simple soap and water solution may suffice. However, if you want to ensure all mould spores are gone, and get rid of that musty smell, take turns cleaning the blind first with a soapy mixture, and then the lemon-vinegar solution.
Tip: If your roller blinds have a severe mould buildup, take the fabric down from the headrails and run it in the washer. For vinyl blinds or similar, you should not machine-wash, soak and then handwash.
Method #5: Deep cleaning with a complete wash.
Once or twice a year take down your roller blinds. Remove the fabric from the headrails. Add it to the washer and use a gentle detergent only. For roller blinds with fabric that does not fare well in a machine for cleanup, soak them in a tub and clean them using a soft-bristled brush.
Always air-dry the material, flat on a dry towel or sheet (never hang!). Consult your blind specialist in Kidderminster or wherever you sourced these from to know if you can iron (steam ironing may be ideal for some blinds). Hang these back up safely, and voila. You get your nice roller blinds back to a new-like appearance.
Need to Replace Old Roller Blinds? Queen Blinds Can Help!
Starting with top-quality new window blinds is one way to simplify cleaning down the line. At Queen Blinds, we offer expertise in custom window blinds manufacturing, and installation service, plus any guidance you need regarding how to clean roller blinds.
Reach out to us today to let us know the blinds you have in mind that complement your space. You can also place an order for custom blinds and get a free quote.