Cleaning guru Don Aslett shows how to clean window blinds (figure A).
- There are basically three types of window blinds--wooden, fabric and vertical.
- Vacuum blinds often with the brush attachment. Vacuum across the slats, not up and down.
- Use a lamb's wool duster, again working across the slats and starting at the top. Do not use plastic dusters.
- When dusting or vacuuming vertical blinds, brush downward only, as the slats often become unhooked if you brush upward.
- Use a rubber dry sponge (found at hardware or paint stores) to remove dust and residue from both fabric and vinyl blinds. Simply wipe the dry sponge firmly across the blinds.
- For spot cleaning, spray an all-purpose cleaner onto a clean, dry cloth and wipe the soiled area on the blind. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the blind.
- You can wet wooden blinds when cleaning, but don't soak them. Clean them in place instead of removing them, as you would for other types of blinds.
- If fabric blinds become very dirty, take them to a dry cleaner.
- Do not try cleaning blinds by spraying them with a car-wash hose, dunking them in the tub or one slat at a time.
Cleaning Metal or Vinyl Blinds
Ingredients:
small rug or piece of carpet
dishwashing soap
bucket of water
car-washing brush
garden hose
Steps:
- Take the blinds outside to your patio or driveway and lay them on the rug (figure B).
- Put a few drops of soap in the bucket of water.
- Wet the brush and brush the blinds from side to side.
- Turn the blinds over and brush the other side.
- Rinse the blinds gently with the garden hose while tilting the blinds so that the water will run off.
- To prevent water spots, quickly run your finger down the slats a couple of times to remove excess water.
- Drape the blinds over a fence or couch to dry.
Clean Vinyl Vertical Blinds
There is a cleaning tool available for this at most janitorial-supply stores. Simply dip the tool in soapy water, and, starting at the top, squeeze it around a slat and slide it down. Rinse in water and repeat.
