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CLEANING

If you’re looking for advice on how to keep your blinds looking their best, take a look at our 'Hints & Tips' below. Just click on one of the links:

Cleaning Image

VERTICAL BLINDS

General cleaning

Vertical blinds need very little maintenance to stay looking good, as the louvres simply hang down so don’t trap dirt and dust easily. And because our blinds come in a range of practical fabrics, including PVC, they are very easy to wash clean simply using a clean, damp cloth which means you don’t have to take them down to keep them looking great.

 

The only part of your blind which may need more attention is the headrail which is where the operating mechanism sits. This can gather dust and will benefit from an occasional deep clean. 

Stubborn stains

If your Vertical blind is in a high usage area, such as a kitchen, you may find that you need to clean them more frequently to remove stubborn stains.

 

If you do have a stain that will not lift easily with a damp cloth, then you could try treating the stain with a fabric stain remover.

 

To do this, simply rub the affected area with the stain remover according the manufacturer instructions. However, be aware that there is a chance that the treated area may look significantly lighter than the rest of the blind.

Cleaning the headrail

To clean your headrail, you should carefully unclip each of the louvres from the headrail brackets so that you can get easy access to the underside of the headrail. 

Once you have removed the blind, simply wipe the headrail clean with a damp cloth. Then simply click your blind back into place.

While you are cleaning your headrail, you could also squirt a drop of silicone spray into the side rail which is where the winding mechanism sits. Silicone spray will keep the mechanism well lubricated and ensure its smooth operation. Use the spray sparingly and avoid contact with the blind fabric so that it does not become stained.

VERTICAL BLINDS
VENETIAN BLINDS

VENETIAN BLINDS

WOOD & FAUXWOOD

The natural warmth of wooden blinds enhances any home, but requires regular cleaning to keep it looking good.

Like all wooden products, excess moisture can be detrimental to your blinds, causing them to expand and warp, so we strongly recommend that you avoid using any water or liquid cleaning products as part of your cleaning routine.

General cleaning

The quickest cleaning method is to simply close the slats in one direction and wipe over with a feather duster or dry cloth. Wipe in a downwards motion so as not to disturb the slat positions. Open the slats and close again, this time in the opposite direction and wipe down the slats as before.

For a more thorough clean, you will need a dry, lint free cloth, soft duster or specialist blind cleaning tool. Open your blind and clean the top of each slat by running the duster across the slat, starting at the centre and working outwards. Then close the blind and open in the opposite direction to clean the underside of the slats. 

Using a vacuum cleaner

If you have a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, you can also use this method to clean your wooden blinds. Vacuum cleaners with powerful suction can cause damage by pulling the slats downwards.

Using the soft brush attachment, open your blind, and, taking a slat in one hand, carefully run the brush over the slat with the other. Repeat on each side in the same way as the duster method above.  If the uppermost slats are not within easy reach, use a sturdy, well-positioned step stool to avoid over-reaching and pulling on the blind slats. Alternatively, take the blind down and carefully lay it on the floor, using an old blanket or towel to protect the blind and your floor covering from damage. 

Stubborn stains

For sticky and stubborn stains that you can’t remove with a dry cloth, rub lightly with a damp cloth until the stain lifts. Do not rub too hard as this may affect the paint or varnish finish on your wooden blinds. Once the stain has lifted, wipe away any excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.

Faux wooden blinds

The easiest way to clean faux wooden blinds without having to remove them is with a feather duster or microfibre cloth. Work the cloth over the slats side to side moving down the blind gently. To remove stubborn grime, dip a cloth into a mixture of detergent and water being careful not to push dirt into the corners of the blind. Dryer sheets are also great for lifting dust. 

ALUMINIUM

​While metal Venetian blinds are highly practical, like any other surface they gather dust and stains over time. Regular cleaning will help you to maintain your blind and keep it looking its best. It’s very easy and should only take a few minutes each week. 

General cleaning

First, check whether your Venetian blind has any sticky stains.  Gently remove these using a mild detergent, such as washing up liquid or window cleaning spray. Then carefully dry the louvres with a paper towel.

Next, move your blind to the closed position.  Use a soft cloth or a special duster mit or glove. Systematically clean each slat, starting from the middle of the slat and wipe towards the edges.  Once you have cleaned all the slats on this side, open and close your blind on the opposite side and do the same again.

Using a vacuum cleaner

You can save time by using your vacuum cleaner to clean your blinds, but it is very important that you only do this if you have an upholstery attachment brush, otherwise you might scratch your blind.  Set the suction to a low level and test it before you start to clean, as the slats could be pulled out of shape if your vacuum cleaner is too powerful.

Attach the upholstery brush to your vacuum cleaner and close your Venetian blind. Gently run the attachment brush over the slats, working from top to bottom. Then open and close your blind on the other side and repeat.

Stubborn stains

Every now and again, it’s worth giving your Venetian blind a thorough clean particularly if it is in an area that’s prone to dirt, like the kitchen.  Before you start, protect the steel components in the head-rail, as these can rust if exposed to excess moisture. Once you have done that you do either of the following:

Clean indoors:

If you do not have any outdoor space, you can clean your Venetian blind in the bath. Again, put a towel or rubber mat in the bath before you begin to prevent scratching. Fill the bath with enough warm water to completely cover the blind and then add a mild detergent. Place the blind in the bath and gently clean each slat with a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge. For heavy staining, leave the blind to soak for several hours or overnight before cleaning the slats. Rinse the blind thoroughly with cold water and then hang securely over the shower rail to dry.

Clean outdoors:

First, prepare the cleaning area by laying down an old blanket or groundsheet. This will prevent your blind from getting scratched or damaged. Next, fill a bucket with warm water mixed with a mild detergent. Then carefully take down your blind and lay it on the prepared surface. Using a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge, gently clean each slat. Then rinse with cold water or a garden hose. For very stubborn stains, you may need to repeat this process several times. 

Once your Venetian blind is thoroughly clean, you will need to find somewhere to hang it to prevent the build-up of mould as it dries. A hairdryer on a cool setting can speed up the drying process.

If you have a garden fence, you could tap in two or three strong nails to hang the blind from as it dries. However, make sure your blind sits securely so that it doesn’t fall off and get damaged.

ROLLER BLINDS

ROLLER BLINDS

General cleaning

Even if you don’t have a specialist fabric, your Roller blind is easy to keep clean.

 

For regular cleaning without having to remove your blind, all you need to do is roll your blind down fully and use your vacuum's upholstery tool to gently remove dust and dirt.

 

For a deeper clean, wipe in a downward motion from top to bottom using a clean, damp cloth afterwards. Let your blind fully dry before pulling it back up.

Stubborn stains

If you cannot remove a stain with water alone, try using a fabric stain removal product. Simply treat the stained area following the manufacturer instructions.

While this is an effective cleaning method, be advised that once cleaned, the treated area of the blind may look significantly lighter than the rest of the blind. Remember to leave the blind open to air dry to prevent mould build up.

Removing mould

Condensation on windows can mean mould starts to grow on blinds as it thrives in warm, damp conditions. The spores cling to the fabric and need to be destroyed to keep the blind in good condition. 

 

Mould can be difficult to clean but there are a number of methods you can use like dry cleaning or spot treating with fabric detergent that is formulated for killing spores. Gently brushing patches with a stiff brush can help to remove build up.

 

Leaving the blind to air dry after cleaning can help to prevent further outbreaks or smells from forming.

ROMAN BLINDS

General cleaning

The easiest way to keep your Roman blind clean and dust free is by using a vacuum cleaner with a specialist upholstery attachment.

 

Open your blind fully and, using the upholstery attachment, carefully brush the fabric in a downwards motion until you have vacuumed the whole of the blind surface.

 

Pay special attention to the bottom and side edges of the blind. These attract the most dust as they are in regular contact with your window sill and frame.

Stubborn stains

If your Roman blind does get stained, first try to remove the stain using a clean, damp cloth. Gently rub the affected area with the cloth until the stain begins to lift.

For more stubborn stains, you may need to apply a specialist fabric stain remover. There are many suitable stain removal products on the market. Always check that the product you are using is appropriate for your Roman blind fabric and make sure you follow the manufacturer instructions for removing the stain.

 

One thing to be wary of when using a stain remover is that you may end up with a clean spot on your blind which is significantly lighter than the rest of your blind fabric. 

Professional Cleaning

We do not recommend machine washing any of our Roman blinds. However, many of our fabrics are dry clean only. Look out for the dry clean symbol on our fabric swatches, but do always check with your local dry cleaning company before taking your blinds down. 

ROMAN BLINDS

SHUTTER BLINDS

General cleaning

wooden products do not cope well with excessive moisture. Wood is a natural fibre which responds by swelling and then shrinking back as it dries out. This can result in warping, which in turn leads to ill-fitting shutters.

Because of this, we never recommend using excessive amounts of water or liquid cleaning solutions to clean your wooden shutters. Light cleaning with a clean, dry cloth is all you need for most every day dust and debris.

 

  1. Take a dry microfibre cloth or duster and run along the slats to remove dust.

    Simply tilt your slats to the open position and wipe each slat from the centre to the outer edge. Or, if time is limited, adjust your slats to the closed position and wipe the slats and frame all over with a clean cloth.​

  2. Use a clean, soft toothbrush to remove any built up debris in the corners.

    Dust can collect in corners of the frame and the ends of the slats. Gently push this out with a dry, clean toothbrush and wipe it away with a dry cloth.​

 

Stubborn stains

For sticky and stubborn stains that you can’t remove with a dry cloth, rub lightly with a damp cloth until the stain lifts. Do not rub too hard or use any cleaning products, as this may affect the paint or varnish finish on your shutters. Once the stain has lifted, wipe away any excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.

 

Using a vacuum cleaner

Alternatively you can clean your shutters with a vacuum cleaner as long as you have a soft upholstery attachment. Clean your slats in the same way you would with a duster, opening your slats to clean each one, or closing the slats and brushing over the entire shutter. You can also use the attachment to lightly clean the frame surround.

SHUTTER BLINDS
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