Cleaning your roller blinds doesn’t have to be an arduous task. It’s not the easiest job on the chores list, but routine maintenance lets you keep your internal blinds free from dust and grime.
Often, roller blinds are neglected because they’re difficult to reach or because it looks like they will need to be removed from the window, but that’s not the case. You can freshen them up while they’re still in place. The longer you leave your blinds without cleaning them, the tougher it will be to get them back in good condition. Regular dusting, vacuuming, and wiping will prevent small marks from becoming a larger – more bothersome – task.
What’s The Best Way to Clean Roller Blinds?
If you don’t want to take your blinds down, you’ll be glad to know that it’s not necessary at all. The best way to clean roller blinds in place is to roll them down completely. Use the small brush attachment on your vacuum to remove dust buildup. Start at the top and move the brush from side to side. Following the grain makes it easier to remove the dust.
Once the surface dust has been removed, get a bowl of warm soapy water and a cloth. Again, it’s best to start at the top and wipe in a sideways motion if you have fabric blinds.
Vinyl blinds don’t have a grain, nor do they absorb water. That means you can wipe them down without the need to go in one particular direction.
Tips for Deep Cleaning Roller Blinds
Like any other household cleaning task – the longer you ignore the task, the harder it becomes to complete. If your blinds have accumulated excess dust, grime, cobwebs, or stains, you might need to remove them completely for a thorough and revitalising clean.
Roller blinds are simple enough to remove from the frame, though it can be tough to reach the top, especially if the sink and counter are in the way. Once you’ve taken them down – your bathtub is the ideal place to let them soak. Part fill with enough lukewarm water to cover the fabric and add some fabric-safe detergent.
White blinds look fantastic – when they’re clean, but they will probably begin to yellow over time. To get your white roller blinds back to peak appearance you might want to add a small dash of bleach to your bathtub solution.
If you don’t have a bathtub, a plastic tub (like a storage box) large enough to submerge the blinds will work just as well.
How to Remove Stains from Roller Blinds
Any stains can be scrubbed using a small cleaning brush, or even a toothbrush. Try to brush in the direction of the grain – typically in a sideways motion. This helps keep the fibres aligned and reduces breakage that might be obvious once dried and put back on the window.
Thoroughly rinse your blinds to remove the soap – dried soap leaves a residue that holds tighter to dust creating more work for you in the long run.
If you can, hang your roller blind outside to dry. Alternatively, you can dry it indoors but ensure it’s kept flat to prevent creases and wrinkles.
Washing Roller Blinds That Have Mould
Roller blinds typically hang in the more humid rooms of our homes – particularly in the bathroom and kitchen. Mould can grow quickly in these conditions and can pose health risks to you and your family. Kitchen blinds are especially susceptible as they are more likely to capture small organic particles from cooking – the ideal conditions for mould to take hold.
It’s best to take steps to remove mould as soon as you notice it’s growing. While it can be difficult to completely remove large patches, small new growths are easier to tackle.
Using a feather duster or a dry cloth, wipe the surface of the mould to begin breaking up the colony and dislodging any extruding growths. You can use a mould removal cleaner; however, these can contain bleach and may not be suitable for darker-coloured blinds.
You can make a mould-killing solution from lemon juice, salt and water for light-coloured blinds. Or, for dark colours, you can use baking soda and vinegar. Always test a small inconspicuous area first to ensure the solution is compatible with the fabric/colour.
Air drying your clean blinds prevents hidden pockets of moisture from cultivating further mould growth.
Cleaning Roller Blinds Regularly Prevents Buildup
For best results, we recommend cleaning your roller blinds twice a month. You don’t have to completely remove the blinds from the window every time, only when you feel they would benefit from a deep clean.
Otherwise, it’s fine to simply dust your blinds with the small attachment on your vacuum, and wipe with a damp cloth. Some manufacturers even recommend using a baby wipe as it’s only slightly damp and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals. Whatever method you use, please remember to test a small, unnoticeable area to reduce the risks of discolouration or fabric damage.
The Best Way to Clean Roller Blinds – An Overview
- If you’re doing regular maintenance, unroll the blind all the way down. Vacuum the dust, cobwebs, and grime by starting at the top and working in a sideways motion (direction doesn’t matter as much for vinyl blinds).
- If you’re getting ready for a deep clean, remove the blinds, unroll, and soak in a bathtub part filled with warm soapy water.
- Stains can be removed with a homemade – environmentally friendly – solution of lemon, salt and water for light/white blinds, or baking soda and vinegar for dark-coloured blinds. Always test in a small area before applying to the whole blind.
- Ensure your blinds are fully dried before rolling them up – failing to do so may result in mould and mildew growth that’s harder to completely remove than any other surface stain.
- Stains can be worked and removed using a gentle, fabric-safe soap and a small brush – a toothbrush will do.
- Adding a little extra vacuuming and wiping to your regular cleaning routine will prevent heavy buildup that requires more effort to undo.
While maintaining your roller blinds is key to a beautiful and allergen-free home, it’s worth noting that at Uniblinds, we specialise in providing top-tier home improvement solutions. If you’re in Melbourne and considering upgrading your home’s aesthetics or security, exploring our roller shutters in Melbourne or security doors can be a great start.