Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

How to Clean Vinyl Blinds

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

If you've ever tried to clean vinyl blinds in your home, you know how easy it is to get frustrated and give up. You can only go one row at a time for so long before you get impatient and each successive row ends up a little less clean than the previous one. The fact is though that the process isn't and does not have to be difficult. With a little practice and planning you can easily learn how to clean your blinds like a pro, saving time and money in the process.

First off, check the label or instructions that came with your blinds. Some will provide detailed instructions on how to clean them and those instructions should be followed. Most of the time, dirty blinds consist of mainly dust. This means that you can close your blinds, dust thoroughly with a feather duster, then close them again with the reverse side facing you and repeat the process. Usually this is sufficient for cleaning.

Cleaning Very Dirty Blinds

What if the blinds are too dirty to simply dust? These will take more than a feather duster to clean. You will want to use a bucket of warm soapy water and a cloth, wiping the blinds down thoroughly, reversing the blinds and repeat. Don’t forget to dry the blinds one at a time with a soft towel. It is not necessary to remove the blinds for cleaning purposes.

Sometimes removing the blinds completely is necessary, which can become an awkward and cumbersome process. You can remove them and washing them in the tub. This keeps the blinds and the dirt confined to one space and makes the process easier. Fill the tub with warm soapy water and place the blinds gently in the water. Loosen the string and pull them up slowly, moving them back and forth to loosen any dirt, grime or grit. Then let the water out of the tub and use the shower to spray rinse the blinds clean. You can then shake them out and rehang them (open) to dry.

Vertical blinds hang down and sway freely. Cleaning them follows the same principals as listed above, except that for tub cleaning they will have to be individually taken down and placed in the tub. Vertical blinds are typically easier to clean this way, washing with a sponge and a gentle cleanser in water. Rinse and hand dry.

Some also suggest placing the blinds outside to dry, but it isn't really necessary, as they will get all the sunlight and warmth they will need by hanging in the windows.

Mini-blinds are another story, as they can be more difficult to maneuver. One method for cleaning this type of blind setup is to remove the unit and take it to a spray car wash center or use a garden hose sprayer with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge.

Recommended Reading
How to Wash Dirty Windows
How to Choose a Vacuum Cleaner