The type of blinds you choose to cover your windows can make or break the look of a room. Venetian blinds are the perfect solution as they offer privacy, let light in and they’re a great look for any room.
Venetian blinds are an attractive and practical window covering and they come in a number of shapes, sizes colours and materials – including metal and wood.
If you own Venetian blinds, it is important to keep them in good condition by cleaning them on a regular basis.
Over time they will build up condensation as the warm air from inside the house comes into contact with the cool windowpane. This will cause dirt and dust from the air to gather on the venetian blinds. The problem is less prevalent with well insulated double-pane windows, as they will keep the glass of the window warmer and reduce this effect.
You can simply wipe down your Venetian blinds with a damp cloth on a regular basis, but if you want to thoroughly clean them it is recommended that you remove them and wash them in the bathtub.
Washing Your Venetian Blinds
Keep in mind that this method of cleaning is only suitable for metal Venetian blinds and should not be used on wooden blinds, as they absorb too much water. Carefully take the venetian blinds off of their mechanism and place them on a towel on the floor of the bathroom.
Be careful not to bend the blinds themselves as this can damage them. Once the thin metal slat has been damaged in this way, it cannot be repaired back to its original condition. Before you fill up the bathtub, lay a blanket or some towels along the bottom to protect the blinds. Next, fill the bathtub with warm (not hot) water to around five inches deep.
Carefully place the blinds in the water. Add a little bit of dishwashing liquid to the water and mix it in, but don’t create too many bubbles. Use a soft sponge to gently rub the surface of each venetian blind – from front to back. After you are done, drain the water from the tub and stand the blinds on their side in the bathtub. Pour a little bit of clean water over the blind to rinse off the leftover soap residue.
Next, lean the blinds up against the wall and leave it for 30 minutes so that it can drain. Once it is fully dry, you can replace it back into the window brackets. You might need to use a clean and dry cloth to wipe the last bits of moisture from the top and bottom of the slats. Leave the blind extended for a while, so that it can fully air dry.
Using a Vacuum to Clean Your Blinds
Cleaning your Venetian blinds in the bathtub is not necessary for every cleaning – just every now and then. On a regular basis you can clean your blinds with your vacuum to get rid of the dust. To do this, use the dusting brush vacuum attachment to gently vacuum the blinds.
Hold them steady with one hand and with your other hand, brush a few slats at a time from the centre to one edge and then from the centre to the other edge. Once you have vacuumed the top of all of the blinds, you can twist the rotating bar all of the way around so that you can vacuum the bottom of the blinds.
Tips for Wooden Venetian Blinds
What if your venetian blinds are made of wood? Here are some tips to keep in mind for maintaining wooden Venetian blinds:
- When you are wiping down the blinds, you can wear damp cotton gloves that are dipped in a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water.
- You can effectively clean the slats by gripping them with your index and middle fingers, so that the glove is touching both sides of the wood. Slide your hand along and you will clean both sides at the same time.
- Never soak your wooden blinds in water, as they will absorb the water and start to warp.
- There are even special sprays designed for cleaning wooden Venetian blinds which you can use. Before using these, be sure to check with the blind manufacturer to ensure that it is suitable.
With these tips, it won’t be long until your Venetian blinds are looking good as new once more!