How To Clean Mini Blinds

How To Clean Mini Blinds

 

Not all cleaning jobs are created equal. Some are quick, easy, and satisfying – like removing all the toothpaste and water splatters from the bathroom mirror and polishing it up to a flawless and streak-free thing of beauty.  Others are ones we dread because they are hard (washing windows), time consuming (cleaning grout), or kinda gross (duh, the toilet). Once of my least favorite is cleaning mini blinds. They kind of tick all the Dreaded Chores boxes: hard, time consuming, and (especially in the case of kitchen blinds), kinda gross. The moment I start, I begin to think, “Will I EVER finish this job?!?”

Like windowsills, light switch plates, and ceiling fan blades, it’s easy to forget about (IGNORE?) the need to clean your blinds. It’s sometimes so easy not to really see the dirt. I mean, when you open your blinds, do you actually look at the slats or are you looking out the window to check the weather? Then one day when you’re opening or closing them, you see – really see – the dust bunnies and the grime. After doing a bit of research, I discovered this oft-forgotten task really isn’t so bad if you’re strategic. Here’s how to clean blinds the quick and easy way.

What You’ll Need:

  • Microfiber cloth – read all about microfiber cloths here.
  • Vacuum and upholstery attachment
  • Clean sock
  • White vinegar
  • Optional: Mini blind duster like this one, just $9 from The Container Store, or this one, just $7.80 from Walmart.

How to Clean Blinds:

  1. Close the blinds and gently wipe them down with a microfiber cloth starting at the top and wiping side-to-side. Hold the bottom of the blind in your other hand so it’s pulled out from the window. Adjust the blinds to open them, and run the microfiber cloth over them again. Then close them the opposite way and repeat.
  2. Vacuum up any dust and debris with your vacuum attachment.
  3. For stuck-on dirt or stains, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Dip a clean sock (finally a use for that old sock with the hole in the toe!) into your cleaning solution. Wring it out until the sock isn’t dripping wet, then slip onto your hand. Use your fingers to run over each blind blade tightly. Leave the blinds open to dry thoroughly.
  4. For deep cleaning, remove them from the window and place them in a bathtub filled with warm water and a squeeze of dish soap. Let them soak for an hour. Rinse and hang them outside until they’re completely dry.

Note:  The special blinds duster isn’t necessary, but makes quick work of dusting blinds especially if you incorporate this task into your regular cleaning schedule. You’ll find it will save time in the long run by allowing you to clean multiple blades at once quickly and easily.

Dos and Don’ts

  • DO cleaning your blinds when you dust, so at least once a week.
  • DO remember to dust blinds before you vacuum or sweep, so you won’t have to vacuum again.
  • DON’T spray air freshener, hairspray, or any other spray near your blinds as dust will stick to the residue and take cleaning blinds fairly easy to hard, time-consuming, and gross.
  • DON’T clean the dust with water (unless you’re doing the deep clean soak). Dry dust first with a microfiber cloth that will catch the dust. Adding water to a dusty surface tends to make a bigger mess.

Okay, so maybe cleaning the blinds can come off the dreaded task list, because that doesn’t sound too bad. Better that cleaning grout or toilets for sure.