Starting the day with natural light flooding into your room bouncing off wooden blinds is pure serenity. Unfortunately, this blissful moment is sharply taken away from you when the build up of dust reaches your nose. Keeping your wooden blinds clean might seem like a daunting task.
However, it’s actually quite simple once you learn the correct way on how to clean wooden blinds. Learning how to clean your stunning wooden blinds not only improves the general air condition but also chases away those pesky sneezes you might incur. Check below to find out the best way to clean wooden blinds.
What Type Of Blinds Do You Have?
Firstly discovering what type of blind you have will help in finding out the best way to clean wood blinds. The first step on your cleaning wood blinds journey in Florida is to find out if your blinds are real wood or faux before you spray and wipe them down. Listen to this part, because if you’ve moved into a house with pre-installed wood blinds and you’re not sure if they are wooden or faux.
Let’s start with Faux Wood Blinds which mimic natural wood especially if painted or a varnish is used on them. Make sure you take a detailed look to identify a faux blind, it will have grain patterns on each slat. In general, the way to clean faux wooden blinds without removing them is simple, any cleaner will do. However a word to the wise, avoid harsh detergents or soaking them in a body of water, this will surely damage them.
When it comes to real wooden blinds, they have a different, natural and irregular grain pattern per slat, just like nature intended. Because the slats are real wood and it’s imperative to avoid getting wooden blinds wet during cleaning to avoid damaging the finish on them.
How To Clean Wooden Blinds
If you’re interested in the best way to clean wooden blinds, first important step is to keep up with a cleaning schedule. Firstly, it will save you a tone of time and will prevent huge dust build ups.
Dust Your Wooden Blinds
Start with a cleaning schedule
Next grab a soft cloth, microfiber, mitt or old fashioned duster. If the slat is caked in dust then you can do a preliminary vacuum and then use a brush.
Close your blinds as the slats are against the windows. This will save the wooden slats from being damaged.
Wipe the cloth, duster or microfiber from one end of the slat to the other.
Rotate blinds. Take your time on each one with a damp cloth making sure you remove all the residue of dust.
What Happens If I Clean The Real Wooden Blinds Improperly?
Cleaning the wood blinds harshly with large volumes of water will not only affect the appearance but also the longevity of the wooden blind. Wood is obviously a natural material and is very vulnerable to moisture and the toxic cleaning agents. When using an abundance of water, the wood can swell or bubble or even rot in the worse cases.
Furthermore, if you decide to use an abrasive cleaner or don't follow the correct cleaning steps then the chances are you'll have to order new blinds (that's what we are here for). If you want to keep your current wooden blinds, then make sure you follow the Royal Shades & Blinds window treatments.
How To Clean Faux Wooden Blinds?
Just like real wooden blinds, faux blinds also require some maintenance. Regular dusting is the best way to start. Again, mirror the technique above and use a soft cloth, microfiber mitt and just run your hands over them once a week. Dry climates in Florida does cause excess build up. You can also use a vacuum with a brush attachment.
How do I get the layers of built up dirt and gunk off my faux wood blinds?
Prepare a warm water solution with a small bit of dish soap
Dip cloth into solution, wring the cloth and apply to slat in the correct position
Avoid soaking
Use disinfectant for bathrooms and kitchens where build up is more likely
I Want to Disinfect My Faux Wood Blinds. How Can I Do This Without Damaging Them?
In highly germ places, like the kitchen or bathroom, you can disinfect your wooden faux blinds.
Get a bowl or jug
Mix one part water and 1 part vinegar for the best germ killing solution
Wipe all slats with solution carefully with a clean cloth from one end of the wooden blind to the other
Dry your wooden blinds without removing them
What Happens If I Clean The Faux Blinds Incorrectly?
When discussing cleaning wooden blinds at home, you have to take the upmost care of your window equipment. While faux wooden blinds are more battle-hardened than real wooden blinds, improper cleaning can present some real risks. The faux wooden blinds are susceptible to abrasive cleaning tools.
Do Nots When Cleaning Faux Blinds
Do not soak faux wooden blinds in water
Do not use harsh chemicals on the faux blinds
Avoid being rough and pulling the blinds when cleaning
Do not keep the water on the blind too long when cleaning as exposure to water can damage the faux wooden blind
What Is The Best Way To Clean Automated Wooden Blinds?
If you're lucky enough to own custom Melbourne blinds which have been automated and motorized, then your life has been made easier. Motorized blinds offer convenience and energy efficiency. Taking good care of them will only make them last longer.
Regular Dusting Of Automated Wooden Blinds
Dusting automated wooden blinds is a common theme when cleaning wooden blinds at home. When you get motivation to do a quick spring clean, run your duster or vacuum brush along the slats carefully. Make sure you use your remote to position them perfectly for optimal cleaning. Moving the automated wooden blinds manually could possibly damage the mechanism.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Blinds At Home Without Taking Them Down?
Open the blinds. Lower your horizontal blinds and tilt them so the entire surface that needs a clean is exposed
Vacuum with brush attachment. Use the upholstery brush attachment and vacuum at the lowest and softest setting. Stabilize it with one hand when vacuuming for best cleaning
Make sure your cloth has no stains or grime on it before cleaning. Agitate the solution to ensure the dish soap has mixed perfectly with the water
Microfiber cloths dipped in the solution can remove even the most stubborn stains. Squeeze out excess water and rub it on the wooden blinds surface area. Avoid scrubbing hard as this may damage when cleaning wooden blinds without removing them
Air dry or wipe very carefully with a kitchen towel or paper towel
The Easiest Wooden Blinds Cleaning Hack
Make a magic cleaning formula. At Royal Shades & Blinds, we love a vinegar and warm water mix to clean wooden shades but rubbing alcohol works just as well
Open the blinds. They should be open at a perpendicular angle to you so that you see the thin edges of each blind when you stand in front of the window
Pull an old sock over your hand. Find an old sock and use it as a sock cleaning puppet. Socks give your fingers the best possible feel when cleaning wooden blinds
Spray the blinds individually. Spray with cleaner individually or two at a time, spraying the entire blind set will only take you longer. The spray will dry by the time you reach the next set of blinds and you'll have to spray again
Wipe each blade with a towel, sock or paper towel. Wipe each blade with your preferred option on both sides. Make sure you switch out your cleaning sock, towel or paper towel when too wet or dirty and find a new one.
What's The Best Thing To Clean Wooden Blinds With?
For the most part, wooden blinds have thinner slats and are lightweight. They require very careful handling to prevent any damage when cleaning. As mentioned before, avoid any harsh cleaners on the wooden blinds.
The best thing to clean blinds tips is do regular dusting. This will remove any allergens and keep your wooden shades clean. Use a soft cloth, microfiber, mitt, sock, vacuum or dust brush attachment.
There is an option to use wood cleaner to condition your wooden blinds at home. You can also use a specialized wood soap on your wooden blinds. Use your microfiber or sock to keep it damp instead of wet. Run the fabric across each slat meticulously to ensure the best clean. It's best to keep blinds steady and flip when the first side is cleaned.
Conclusion On Cleaning Wooden Blinds At Home
A clean blind and wooden blind ultimately preserves air quality in your home. It also showcases to your family and friends that you care about the cleanliness of your home. If you stick to a good cleaning schedule then it will mitigate your workload in the future.
If your blinds still look unclean, weathered or just need updating, then contact Royal Shades & Blinds for new custom Floridian blinds. We focus on the Melbourne Beach area, Vero and Space Coast Area.
Find one of our most recent motorized blinds Melbourne installation below.
Reach out to Royal Shades & Blinds or call us on 321-467-1072 today for a free consultation. Let us help you transform your space with the perfect custom window treatments that will enhance your home.