You may be incredibly proud of your Denver mini blinds, but they need some attention to stay in tip-top shape. While blinds are mostly maintenance-free, they still need regular cleaning and TLC. Dust and grime accumulation can be extremely difficult to clean. It’s better to spend a couple of minutes wiping away the dust with a microfiber cloth than spending a day deep cleaning your blinds.
Easiest Ways To Clean Blinds
How you clean your blinds will depend on the type of blinds you have. Different materials have unique restrictions, such as wood blinds warping when exposed to water.
The easiest way to clean blinds is with daily cleaning to remove dust and the occasional wash to remove stains or spots. The only difference is the exact method you’ll use to clean your horizontal mini blinds.
#1. Metal Or Vinyl Mini Blinds Care Tips
Metal or vinyl blinds are durable and easy to maintain. For daily care, get some used fabric softener sheets and gently wipe the dust off. The fabric sheets create an anti-static layer that prevents dust from settling, meaning that you can get away with only cleaning your blinds every couple of days.
If your blinds have a bit more grime and settled dust, the best way to clean them is to remove them and wash them in the bathtub. It’s a good idea to do a deep clean every six months to keep your blinds looking their best.
The deep cleaning process involves:
- Remove the blinds and place them in the bathtub
- Add just enough warm water to cover the blinds fully
- Add a small amount of dishwashing soap and a lot of white vinegar to the mix
- Let the blinds soak for a couple of minutes
- Gently move the blinds around, which will remove any loosened dirt
- Drain the tub
- Rinse the blinds with warm water
- Hang the blinds in the tub until they shed most of the water
- Use a soft towel to gently pat the blinds, ensuring that they’re fully dry before hanging them back up
While it may seem that it’s easier to deep clean your blinds with dish soap while they’re still hanging, this method is actually much more labor-intensive. You’ll have to go over every slat at least twice (once to wash and once to rinse) and have to clean the back and front manually.
#2. Wooden Mini Blinds Care Tips
Wooden mini blinds made from real wood require a slightly different approach. Your daily routine will remain the same, but you won’t be able to deep clean them in a bathtub. In general, avoid using water with your wooden blinds, as it can warp the slats.
The best way to clean wooden mini blinds is:
- Draw the blinds and close them for maximum cleaning area
- Use a cotton sock or microfiber cloth
- Wipe each slat starting from the top and working your way down
- For more stubborn dirt, spray some high-end wood furniture polish on the cloth, not on the slat itself
- Thoroughly wipe the dirty slat
- Turn the slats up and repeat the process for the other side
You can also use an anti-static spray to create a small dust barrier to repel ordinary household dust.
#3. Fabric Mini Blinds Care Tips
Fabric mini blinds may not be very common, but they’re gaining popularity with people who want a novel window treatment. Unfortunately, cleaning fabric blinds is more labor-intensive than any other type of blind.
When it comes to fabric mini blinds cleaning tips, the major one is to avoid using water completely. Water can stain the binds, and damp blinds will lead to mildew growth.
You can remove dust from fabric blinds with your vacuum cleaner and brush attachment. Start at the top and work your way down.
If you see any stains or spots, use a small amount of detergent and just enough water to form suds. Avoid rubbing the stain as it will often make it worse. Use a blotting motion instead. The stain should disappear as the fabric dries. If it doesn’t, it may be time for a professional clean.
Mini Blinds Easy Care Tips
Taking care of your blinds shouldn’t be too difficult, but there are some pitfalls that you may encounter. Here are some of our mini blinds care tips for your Denver mini blinds that will make the cleaning process easier.
- Start at the top: clean your blinds from the top down, allowing any dust to trickle down. If you start at the bottom, you’ll be dealing with dust falling down, forcing you to reclean certain areas.
- Keep the cords hanging: wound up or folded cords will degrade faster. If you have children or pets, consider getting motorized blinds for windows to reduce the risk of strangulation.
- Be gentle: whenever you interact with your blinds, do so gently. Aluminum and vinyl slats are durable, but rough handling will cause them to warp and bend. Also, avoid excessive wand twisting, which can put additional pressure on the opening and closing system and dramatically shorten your blinds’ lifespan.
Cleaning Hacks to Avoid
#1. Power Washing Your Mini Window Blinds
Power washing is a great way to remove stains from bricks, stone, asphalt, or tiles. It’s also a great way to completely ruin your blinds. Stick to one of our mini blinds care tips instead.
#2. Using Hydrogen Peroxide on Fabric Blinds
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent stain remover, but it can also damage and discolor fabric. Try to avoid using it, or start with a small test spot first.
Denver Horizontal Mini Blinds Installation
Horizontal blinds are an excellent way to add privacy and block light without affecting a room’s ventilation. Working with a professional installer reduces the risk of misfitting or loose blinds and will give you peace of mind.
At Royal Textile Products, our expert installers will do everything: measure, fit, install, and provide aftercare. Whether you want extra advice on how to clean your blinds or want to book a consultation, don’t hesitate to call us at (720) 619-8789 today!