Vertical blinds offer privacy while allowing you to control the amount of light entering the room. They are made of various materials like fabric, bamboo, and many more materials. They look pretty when installed. Over time they attract dust, and the cyclic exposure to moisture and sunlight makes them a perfect breeding ground for moulds.
Are you thinking, ‘how to clean vertical blinds?’ Cleaning vertical blinds can be a difficult task. To make things easy for you, we have shared tips related to cleaning mouldy vertical blinds.
Method One – Cleaning Them Without Removing
There is a misunderstanding you have to remove the vertical blinds from the windows to get off the moulds. You can leave them hanging when cleaning them.
1. Remove Loose Dirt
The first step in cleaning vertical blinds is removing any loose dirt sticking to blinds. During the cleaning process, you can keep the window open or wear a dust mask to protect you from airborne allergies.
2. Use Vacuum Cleaner
The next step involves using a vacuum cleaner. Use the upholstery cleaning attachment to remove stubborn dirt. The vacuum cleaner can be used to clean difficult to reach areas of the vertical blinds.
3. Clean with Mild Detergent and Water
To completely remove the mould off the vertical blinds, you need a cleaning solution. You can mix some mild detergent in water to prepare a cleaning solution. Or you can use a natural cleaning product.
Method Two – Machine Wash
This method does not apply to all vertical blinds. You can machine wash your vertical blinds in the washing machine only if the washing instructions mention it. You need to select a gentle wash cycle like the settings for delicate wash or woollen.
Machine washing exposes the material of your vertical blinds to fraying and snagging. To prevent this, you need to tie the blind louvres together. Make sure the edges are in line, and there are no creases. You can place the rolled vertical blinds in a pillowcase and put it in the washing machine. Avoid the final spin cycle when washing vertical blinds.
Method Three – Manual Cleaning
This is the safest way to clean the moulds off the vertical blinds. Manual cleaning of vertical blinds takes a long time but you will be delighted by the results. Here are the steps to clean the vertical blinds:
- Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing mild detergent and water. You can also use a commercially available cleaning solution for vertical blinds. There are two ways to clean vertical blinds.
- You can dip the cloth in the cleaning solution and wipe clean the vertical blind from top to bottom. Another method is removing the blind and soaking it in a cleaning solution for a few hours and then washing off the cleaning solution.
- The vertical blinds are fragile and hot water can cause irreversible damage. So, ensure that the water is warm and not too hot.
Experts recommend taking the vertical blinds outside the house for cleaning. The open space makes the cleaning process easy and fast. Washing the vertical blinds on a sunny day will solve the problem of drying.
The Right Method of Drying
You need to follow the right method to dry the vertical blinds. Air drying is the best method. You can lay the vertical blinds flat on the floor or any surface. If you have a space problem, you can dry the vertical blinds with a towel. It would help if you hung the vertical blinds on the window after they are completely dried. Never think of tumble drying to dry the vertical blinds.
Products Suitable for Cleaning Vertical Blinds
Here are some of the safe to use products to remove the mould off vertical blinds:
1. Lemon Juice
If you have fabric blinds, lemon juice can effectively get the mould off from the blinds. One of the benefits of using lemon juice is it will also kill mildew spores. You can prepare a lemon juice solution and spray it on blinds and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
2. White Vinegar
It is the cheapest cleaning product found in most kitchens. Spray white vinegar on mouldy vertical blinds and leave it for an hour. Wipe it with a damp cloth in order to remove the mould and dry the blinds.
3. Essential oils
Essential oils like cinnamon, clove, and tea tree effectively remove the mould of the blinds. Mix a few drops of essential oil in water and spray it on blinds. Wipe with a damp cloth.
Removing mould off will make the vertical blinds look like new. This is also important for health reasons as moulds are breeding grounds for germs.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
