Making your window blinds fresh and clean is a quick and easy task that has a big impact. Maintaining your blinds extends their lifespan, makes them easier to operate, and brings a sparkle to your windows and room. All you need is a small handheld vacuum, a microfiber cloth, and a gentle cleaner to efficiently and effectively do the job.
Learn how to properly clean your window blinds to get rid of accumulated dirt, dust, and dinginess.
How Often Should You Clean Window Blinds?
Vacuum metal, wood, or plastic blinds weekly to reduce the build-up of dust and dirt. Do a deeper clean every two months to remove all layers of debris. However, clean window blinds once a month if they are located in the kitchen near your cooking space, if you have pets, or if you leave your windows open frequently.
Choosing the Right Vacuum to Clean Blinds
Using the right vacuum to clean your blinds gives you the most thorough and effective result. A small handheld vacuum can be easy to use, but if you have a standard canister vacuum with a shoulder strap that is easy to lift off the ground, you can use that to clean blinds, as well.
Look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter or one that can easily have a HEPA filter attached to it. HEPA filters help trap fine dust found on surfaces like windowsills and blinds so the dust is not released back into the room.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
- Non-abrasive sponge
- Microfiber cloths
- Bathtub or large washing area (optional)
- Towels (optional)
Materials
- Liquid dish soap
Instructions
How to Properly Clean Window Blinds
Close and Flatten
BlindsAdjust your blinds so that they lay flat with the widest part of the blind facing you. You’ll want to create a smooth, flat surface that is easy to vacuum.
Vacuum the Blinds
Start at the top and work down by vacuuming across each slat in a horizontal stroke.Open and close the slats in the opposite direction and vacuum the entire flat surface, as well.Fully open the slats so you can vacuum the edges, as well.
Spot Clean
Keep the blinds fully open and look for finger marks and dirt buildup that may need some extra attention. Grab a damp non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth, lather with soapy water, and wipe away the marks.
Bathe and Air-Dry Non-Wooden Blinds
Fill a bathtub or large washing sink with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Submerge only aluminum or plastic blinds (do not immerse wood, faux wood, fabric blinds, or any blinds with decorative tapes in water) in the sudsy water and let them sit for about an hour to help release more dirt. Rinse blinds with clean warm water.
Remove the blinds from the water, shake them out, and hang them back up to air-dry. They will air-dry quickly. If you use a towel, gently blot the blinds dry and be extremely gentle so you do not cause slats to bend.
Whiten Dingy Cords
Wipe down the cords with some soap and water to remove greasy dirt. Do the same on other dingy white cording, ropes, and taped areas.
Tips to Keep Your Window Blinds Clean Longer
- Wipe the blinds with used dryer sheets to help lift dust off and repel any future dust.
- Avoid using wood spray cleaner on wood blinds or faux wood blinds because it can cause a sticky build-up that attracts dust.
- Loosen up and blast dust away in hard-to-reach or hidden places, such as the header of your blinds, using a powerful blow-dryer on a cool setting.
- Add a bit of vinegar and water to your cloth when you are doing a quick cleaning.
