When it comes to cleaning your home, there are always a few areas that are overlooked - and one of the things we often miss during our spring clean is the blinds.
While you don't necessarily notice the dirt build up as much as you would on your carpet, flooring or curtains, eventually, blinds will become dusty, and can even be stained from dirt and grime.
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Luckily, the YourHomeStyle team have caught up with the experts at 247 Blinds to find out exactly how to keep yours looking as good as new all year round.
Whether you have roller blinds, venetian blinds, or anything in between, read on to discover how to clean your blinds using just a few items from your cleaning cupboard.
How often should I clean my blinds?
'Ideally, your should clean your blinds once a month, as the dust that gathers can be harmful to ourselves and our families’ immune systems' explains Nayden Delchev, director at Cleaners of London. 'If you live on a main road or have pets in the home, you should consider cleaning them on a weekly or fortnightly basis due to smears and extra dust' she adds.
In short, if you want to maintain your blinds and set them up for a long life, a regular clean is a must. Remember this when you're choosing them - after all, some types are easier to clean than others. Roman blinds, for example, are quick to clean, while roller blinds gather less dust thanks to their vertical surface. You should be able to get away with a soft dusting or gentle vacuum to keep them looking spick and span.
How to clean your blinds
You will need:
- Feather duster
- Odd / old sock
- Vacuum cleaner
- Damp towel
- Bathtub
Dust
Use a feather duster to clean any dust build up in hard to reach spots.
Start at the top of your blinds and work down, keeping your duster flat to make sure it properly wipes away any dirt and dust.
Wipe with an old sock
An old, recycled sock can become quickly become your best friend when you're carrying out household chores. Put your old sock on your hand, and use your hand to wipe down the surface of your blind - whether it's individual slats or one whole piece of material. Take care, as it’s a delicate process that could damage your blind if you’re too rough. We suggest using your other hand to hold the blinds steady as you wipe them.
Vacuum
If you have lint-laden blinds, giving it a brush with your vacuum's attachment provides a gentle solution.
Whether it's aluminium or wooden, your blinds are sure to benefit from a soft nozzle, and by doing this, you maximise the chances of covering the whole blind, and subsequently minimising the danger of damage.
Wipe with a damp cloth
Dampen a microfibre cloth in a solution made from warm water and washing up liquid. This solution is particularly good if you have grease-stained blinds, as the washing up liquid will help to break down the grease. Use the cloth to wipe away any tough-to-clean residue on your blinds - just remember, if they're wooden blinds, don't dampen them too much as this could lead to watermarks.
Soak off stubborn stains
If you have persistent dirt on vinyl or aluminium blinds and wiping them down hasn't worked, it could be time to turn to the bathtub. You can give them a deep clean by placing them in warm water and washing up liquid and let them soak for around an hour. When the hour is up, give them a rinse and wipe them down with a clean cloth.
Looking for more cleaning ideas? Don't miss our pick of the 10 best refillable cleaning products!
