Tips to Clean Blinds

Blinds are an integral part of home decoration. They are important for light and privacy control. Like any other household items, they demand your care and attention too. Routine cleaning helps you get the best look, maintain hygiene and add more life to the blinds. 

Here are some simple tips to clean blinds easily.

 #1. Dust them daily or weekly

Blinds brave all forms of dust and dirt particles to keep your home clean inside. Dust unwanted particles easily. Use a dry broom or fabric. You may also vacuum clean your blinds to save time. Use fabric twice – first a dry one and then a fabric wet in the solution of white vinegar and water. Use the fabric gently to clean the slats individually. The hardware part also needs your attention.

#2. Wipeout dirt from slats 

a. For FAUX-WOOD or PVC slats

You may use different techniques and cleansing agents for faux wood blinds. Vinegar is one of the most effective and economical options. Here is how to use it:

1. Mix 1 cup vinegar to 4 cups hot water.
2. Use a spritzer bottle to spray on the PVC
3. Leave this for 10 minutes.
4. Use a clean dry cloth to wipe down.

 b. For Real-Wood slats

There are many cleaning agents available in the open market. I will focus on the composition or ingredients that make things happen. The common ingredients used in wood cleaner solutions are Water, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, Butoxypropanol, Colorants, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, and Citric Acid. Most of them are water-based solutions. Go for a biodegradable product that is safe for the environment as well.

To finish up, wipe off any residual soap or water and buff with a clean cloth for the original texture.

#3. Clean the hardware

Tarnishing or rusting of hardware acts as a spoiler. Depending upon the hardware material, you can follow different techniques. For some common materials, I have listed some effective ideas using economical and easily available items at home. 

1. Copper: Use lemon or a mixture of salt and vinegar
2. Chrome and steel hardware: Use a vinegar-soaked cloth for normal dust but for rusts, use an aluminum foil soaked in water and then scrub. Do not use steel wool or rough cloth on stainless steel, they can leave scratches over the surface.
3. Brass has a great shine but it tarnishes easily. Using a mixture of vinegar (½ cup), salt (1 teaspoon), and flour, you can prepare an effective brass cleansing formulation. Alternatively, you can use a chemical cleaner like Brasso.