Choosing Efficiency First

If you have just purchased vinyl horizontal blinds to hang on your windows (from companies like Ardy's Gallery of Window Coverings), you will soon be enjoying the freedom of opening and closing them to alter the lighting in your room easily. Blinds are a great investment and they should be taken care of properly so they look great while retaining their value. The horizontal slats on window blinds collect dust rather easily and need to be cleaned frequently. Here are some tips you can follow in making sure your blinds look their best.

Dusting Procedure

It is important to clean your blinds regularly to keep them from appearing discolored and to help keep the room free from dust, pet dander, and allergens. Spot clean your vinyl blinds by lightly brushing a feather duster along each slat to remove dust. 

A great way to remove dirt from both sides of the slats on blinds is to open the blinds so the slats are in a flat position. Place a sock on each side of a pair of salad tongs. Simply close the tongs on the end of a slat and slide it along to the other side. 

Use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment weekly to remove caked up dirt around the pull strings. When dusting, always start at the top of the blinds and work your way down. Always use a side to side movement  along each slat with the dusting brush or vacuum attachment, as moving it up and down to dust can cause the slats to come off their hooks.

Cleaning Procedure

It is best to remove your blinds from the window when doing more than dusting. Bring the blinds outdoors and place them on a sheet to protect them from dirt and scraping from the ground. Place a few tablespoons of a mild detergent into a bucket of water and mix well. Use a sponge to wipe down each slat individually. An alternate cleaning solution can be made from equal parts water and vinegar if you are interested in using a non-chemical method to clean your vinyl blinds. 

Rinse with a garden hose using a low pressure misting setting. Tilt the blinds as you rinse them so that the water runs off and does not pool on the slats. Use your finger to rub off any water that may have collected on the slats. This will help avoid the appearance of water marks when it dries. Hang the blinds over a few lawn chairs to dry thoroughly before re-hanging them on your windows.