How To: Clean Mini Blinds

Available in a wide array of materials from vinyl to wood, mini blinds make an attractive feature in any interior. But the popular window treatments also act as a magnet for dust, dirt, mold, and mildew caused by everyday activities and moisture exposure. In direct sunlight, these particles can harden into stubborn grime that stains and discolors your blinds while aggravating allergies. Adding to the dismay of busy homeowners, the narrow slats of mini blinds make them more tedious to clean than Venetian blinds. Thankfully, the following cleaning ritual saves time and effort while keeping your mini blinds beautiful and blemish-free year-round. Here’s how to clean mini blinds with a few common household essentials.

Routine Cleaning of Blinds

MATERIALS AND TOOLS
– Feather or microfiber duster
– Clean cloth
– Sock
– Vacuum cleaner
– Compressed air sprayer (optional)
– Hair dryer (optional)

Whether you have vinyl, metal, wood, or fabric mini blinds, you can banish light dirt and debris accumulations by dusting the blinds on a weekly to monthly basis. The key to reaching those narrow slats is fully extending the blinds, then turning the slats closed until the convex side of the slats face you. Using a feather or microfiber duster, soft cloth, or clean sock, gently sweep in the direction of the slats, making contact with each one. Turn the blinds ninety degrees and sweep the sides of the slats. Then, turn the blinds another ninety degrees and sweep the convex side of the slats.

To combat heavier dust accumulations, enlist a vacuum cleaner with a small brush attachment to draw out the debris from your mini blinds. Adjust the vacuum suction to a low setting, and then vacuum the blinds from side to side in the direction of the slats. In lieu of a vacuum cleaner, you can also use a compressed air sprayer or a hair dryer set to the cool setting to blast away any loose particles.

When stubborn grit and grime take root in your mini blinds, a deeper clean addressing the specific type of material is necessary. Following these more thorough instructions for how to clean mini blinds on a semi-annual to annual basis will help lengthen the lifespan of your window treatments.

Deep Cleaning: Metal and Vinyl Blinds

MATERIALS AND TOOLS
– Inflatable yard pool (optional)
– Liquid dish soap
– Soft mop
– Sponge
– Non-abrasive brush
– Degreaser
– Hose with spray nozzle (optional)
– Towel (optional)

STEP 1

After lifting the entire mini blind from the mounting hardware, rest it in an empty bathtub, shower, or inflatable yard pool, depending on the size of the blind.

Note: Lead dust can form over time on the surface of older vinyl mini blinds that contain lead. If you’re unsure if the blinds contain lead, use a lead testing kit before cleaning. Safely dispose of any blinds that contain lead.

STEP 2

Fill the tub or other vessel of choice with water, and add enough liquid dish soap to create suds when swishing the water. Let the blinds soak in the solution for five minutes to loosen up grit and grime.

STEP 3

Gently but firmly glide a soft mop, sponge, or non-abrasive brush saturated in the dish soap solution, wiping the top and bottom of each slat from side to side. Spread the blinds to work the solution between the narrow slats.

For particularly dirty mini blinds, like those in the kitchen that have been exposed to cooking fumes, skip the soap and instead apply a degreaser (like 409 or Simple Green) directly to the slats. Let the blinds soak in the degreaser for a few minutes before wiping them down.

STEP 4

Rinse the blinds thoroughly with a shower attachment or the spray nozzle of a garden hose. Do this quickly after washing, so the suds don’t leave dried spots on the blinds.

STEP 5

Once the blinds are clean, hang them on a shower rod to air dry, or towel dry them. Then re-mount the blinds in the window frame, keeping the slats partially open to encourage the slats to dry completely.

Deep Cleaning: Wood Blinds

MATERIALS AND TOOLS
– Furniture polish
– Soft cloth
– Clean sock

STEP 1
Wood can warp or discolor with prolonged exposed to water, so your go-to weapon for combating grime on wood mini blinds should be a high-quality furniture polish. Spray a small amount of furniture polish onto a soft cloth or clean sock.

STEP 2
With the blinds fully extended, use a circular motion to gently rub the furniture polish into both sides of each wood slats. Dry the blinds completely with a clean cloth.

STEP 3
If stubborn spots remain, or if you don’t have furniture polish on hand, go over the slats with a clean cloth or sock dipped in water. Immediately remove the excess water with a soft cloth before it settles into the slats.

Deep Cleaning: Fabric Blinds

MATERIALS AND TOOLS
– Vacuum cleaner
– Clean cloth
– Liquid soap

STEP 1

Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust and debris on fabric mini blinds. If you notice any stains on the blinds, you can remove them with a simple spot treatment. Dampen a clean cloth with warm water mixed with enough mild liquid soap to create suds.

STEP 2

Blot the offending spot, taking care not to rub the fabric, as this can worsen the stain. The discoloration should diminish in appearance as the fabric dries.

STEP 3

Still seeing spots or stains on your fabric mini blinds? Take the blinds to a professional dry cleaner to get them looking like new again.