How to Clean Window Blinds

When I was a kid I remember watching my Grandmother put her Venetian Blinds in the bathtub and scrub them. When she was done she would hang them over the cloths line to dry. Oh the good ole days! Window Treatments have come a long way from the days of the old fashioned Venetian Blind. Today's window treatments are a lot more complex. The old Venetian Blinds were made primarily of Aluminum and had wide Vinyl tapes instead of cloth tapes or ladder cords. Because the blinds did not have Cloth tapes to get mildew or watermarks on them or Wood slats to warp this was an acceptable way to clean these blinds. This would not be a recommended form of cleaning today. Even if the Head rail of the blind is made of aluminum, the blinds components can be steel, which can rust when exposed to moisture or they may have cloth tapes that will stain from watermarks. If it's a wood blind and you submerse it, you will have ruined it. So what is the proper way to clean window treatments? This will vary by type of window blind and the material it is made of. 

Aluminum blind Aluminum blinds and Vinyl Blinds- The best way to clean Micro Blinds, Mini Blinds and Venetian Blinds and other vinyl or metal blinds is with regular feather dusting. If this is done on a regular basis, heavy cleaning should never be necessary. Turn the slats downward at an angle and starting from the top and using a feather duster (a soft vacuum attachment can also be used) work your way down. Dust them briskly, but not so hard as to damage the slats. If the blinds have not been cleaned in a long time you will need to use a mild detergent and warm (NOT hot) water to clean them. There is a tool that can be purchased that you can run between the slats, however I have never had much luck with these. They usually just redistribute the dust and dirt and bend or damage the slats. These blinds can usually be Ultrasonically cleaned as well. You should be able to find a company that will clean them with an Ultrasonic cleaner in your phone book if they are really dirty or greasy. If the blinds are new and you dust them regularly you should never need to have them professionally cleaned. 

Wood Blinds Wood blinds- Extreme caution must be used when cleaning real wood blinds. NEVER use water or water based cleaning products on wooden blinds. Water or even excessive moisture can permanently damage the wood slats. The best way to clean wood blinds is with a feather duster or soft head vacuum attachment. If a cleaning product is used, make sure it is something you would use on your fine furniture as well, something that is made for cleaning wood (no water based products) like a furniture polish. Normally cleaning products will never be required if the blinds are cleaned on a regular basis. NEVER submerse wood blinds in anything.

Shades Fabric Shades- These shades require very little cleaning, a light dusting with a duster or vacuum attachment will usually be fine. Some fabrics can be sponge blotted if they have stains on them (check your product care and maintenance card for details). Most Pleated shades and Cellular shades can be cleaned Ultrasonically as well (always check to be sure) but this will not be required if the are dusted on a regular basis.

Vertical blinds Vertical Blinds- Vertical Blinds are the easiest blind to care for. Since the slats are vertical as opposed to horizontal, they will not collect dust like a horizontal blind. Light dusting is usually all that is required. If they are a vinyl they can be cleaned with a mild cleaner such as 409 or Fantastic. Vinyl slats can also be Ultrasonically cleaned if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• The trick is frequent cleaning. If you purchase your blinds new and clean them on a regular basis they will give you years of service with very little maintenance. Always refer to the care and maintenance instructions before cleaning your blinds, as blinds will vary by manufacturer.


• Always use a mild cleaner (409, Fantastic, etc.) if you must use a cleaning solution.

• Feather duster


• vacuum attachment


• mild cleaner