Having clean blinds doesn’t only look good, it makes for a healthier home. Although the task can look daunting, making sure your blinds and insect screens are clean is easy and can be done with items you’re likely to already have. Different blinds require slightly different methods, so we’ve covered each below.

Roller blinds

These can all be cleaned in a similar way using a duster or cloth, and if necessary spot-cleaned with a damp cloth.

Cleaning method

1. Roll the blind all the way down and use your spare hand to hold it steady.
2. Gently dust both sides by wiping downwards with your cloth (or duster).
3. If you need to spot-clean, use a damp cloth with a small amount of non-abrasive cleaning product.
4. Wait until the blinds are completely dry before winding them back up. Dual roller blinds are a little trickier but can be cleaned using the same method (and a bit of coordination).

Venetian blinds

Horizontal blinds shouldn’t need a lot of cleaning, but they do gather dust and the occasional insect. The best tools for cleaning your horizontal blinds are:

1. A microfibre cloth
2. A duster
3. A vacuum with the soft-brush/upholstery attachment
4. A toothbrush
5. Our personal favourite: the “sock puppet” – a clean, old sock worn as a mitt.

Cleaning method

1. Start with your blinds rolled down, then tilt the slats to a 45 degree angle first one way and then the other. This should knock off larger amounts of dust, especially if your blinds haven’t be used for a while.
2. Using your cloth, duster, or sock puppet, individually wipe down both sides of each slat. Alternatively you can do this by vacuuming with the soft brush attachment.
3. f you are cleaning PVC or aluminium blinds, you can wipe them with a clean damp cloth once the majority of the dust is removed. If necessary, a small amount of warm (not hot) water and gentle detergent can be used. On wooden blinds, we recommend you skip this step and avoid any liquids – even though the wood is sealed, water or chemicals can warp or discolour it.
4. If there are niggly bits (such as insects) that don’t clean off with your cloth, avoid scrubbing with pads or Steelos. Instead use a dry toothbrush in a circular motion to lift the dirt.

Vertical blinds

The best way to clean our vertical blinds is with a soft brush (such as a baby brush) or the upholstery fitting on your vacuum.

Cleaning method

1. Simply close the blinds and brush or vacuum downwards to remove dust, hair, or fur. You can use your free hand to hold the blind to make it easier.
2. Once you have done one side, face the slats the other way and repeat. If you do happen to have stains on the blinds, you can spot-clean with a warm, damp cloth with a small amount of detergent.

Insect screens

Insect screens take a bit more of a beating than blinds, as they are exposed to dust, wind, pollen, and rain. Although our screens are fairly durable, it is best to either take them down (if they are magnetic) or be gentle when you are wiping. Too much pressure on the screen can be damaging.

Cleaning method

1. Wipe screens down with a clean lint-free cloth or use your vacuum with the soft-brush fitting to remove dust. If they are still dirty or have insects stuck to them it’s best to use a bit of warm water and cleaning product.
2. Magnetic screens are best cleaned by laying them on a tarp outside and hosing them down. If you have a hand-held shower head, you can also wash them in the shower. You can scrub them with a small amount of detergent and a toothbrush or scrubbing brush.
3. If the screen isn’t removable, use a mixture of warm water with a few drops of detergent and gently scrub with a toothbrush or scrubbing brush. It’s a good idea to lay an old towel down and clean them from the inside so that excess liquid can spray outside.
4. Wipe the screen – magnetic or otherwise – down with a clean towel when you’re done to stop airborne dust from sticking and sabotaging your hard work!

If you have any other concerns regarding cleaning your blinds, contact us for a recommendation for a professional cleaner. Email info@blindsmith.co.nz call 0800 16 1415