Fabric blinds are a great way to add privacy and personal decoration to any room in the house. Fabric blinds come in two different types:
- Vertical or horizontal blinds often come constructed of fabric and semi-flexible plastic slats that are strung together.
- Another type of fabric blinds can be woven fabrics that are sometimes translucent or have darkening properties. These woven fabrics create soft lighting unlike traditional metal or wooden blinds that block out all light completely. These blinds can be motorised or manually tilted to let in more or less light.
Fabric blinds are more delicate than solid blinds. They should be regularly cleaned and, lucky for you, you only need a few simple household products to do that.
You should dust your fabric blinds every week while doing your regular cleaning. However, you probably skip that part of your cleaning schedule. You should deep clean your blinds as well, however, that is only necessary twice a year. If you have fabric blinds in your kitchen or bathroom, you should clean those more often because of grease buildup and product residue.
- Gather all your cleaning supplies – you will need baking soda, dishwashing liquid detergent, distilled vinegar, and microfiber cloths.
- Close your blinds, no matter if they are horizontal or vertical. Make sure there is as much fabric exposed as possible.
- Vacuum them with a fabric/upholstery brush attached to your vacuum. if you don’t have a vacuum you can also wipe the blinds down with a microfiber cloth. You can hold the bottom of the blinds to get more support. Make sure you carefully wipe every slat. Do not apply excess pressure since you may damage the blinds. When you are done with one of the sides, tilt the slats and expose the opposite side. Wipe it again. When vacuuming vertical slats, hold the bottom of each one and work down from the top. When done, reverse the slats and repeat the vacuuming.
- Inspect the blinds from stains of any kind.
- Mix a cleaning solution of two cups of lukewarm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
- Spot clean – Dip a microfiber cloth in this solution and wring it until it’s just damp. Place your hand behind the stained area and gently work the stains out. Dab the stain and do not scrub it, since you may damage the fabric. If there are any hard-to-remove stains, dip the damp cloth in some baking soda and rub the stains again. The baking soda will act as a mild abrasive and help loosen up the dirt. Wipe the soda and soapy residue away with a clean damp cloth, dipped in plain water.
- Air-dry the blinds. You can open your windows to help speed up the process but never apply direct heat to your blinds.
Additional tips for maintaining your fabric blinds in good condition:
- Vacuum regularly. If you remember, vacuum your fabric blinds weekly when doing regular cleaning at home. That way you will prevent dust and dirt from building up and will ensure that your blinds are looking their best. By regularly vacuuming them you will also prolong their life and maintain their good condition for longer.
- Treat stains as soon as possible. If you notice that a stain is on your blinds, waste no time and take care of it immediately. If you are lucky enough to be present at the time when the stain occurs, that will give you the chance to quickly and easily get rid of the stain (most fabric blinds are dust and water-resistant up to a point). Leaving stains on for too long will cause them to set deeper in the fibres of the fabric and possibly become permanent.
- Always ‘’dry-clean’’ your fabric blinds. Never soak them in water since that may cause them to lose their shape. What is more, excess water may damage the fabric permanently.
- When washing the inside of your windows, it is best to remove your blinds. That is also a great time to thoroughly vacuum and clean them. Lay them flat on the floor and vacuum. When done, turn them around and vacuum the opposite side. You can check for stains and other dirt on them and clean them on time.
Make sure to regularly clean and spot clean your blinds. They will look better and preserve their healthy condition for longer. Do not allow them to gather dust and dirt that will build up with time and cause them to look dusty, dull, and unattractive. Take care of your fabric blinds to continue enjoying their beautiful looks and the privacy they offer you.