Cleaning PVC Blinds
Effective Ways to Clean Your Blinds
Every item which you use in your daily life requires cleaning and if you do not clean it properly then it will not last long nor will it remain hygienic. Amongst all the things in your home or office, Window blinds are one of the most common things which require cleaning otherwise they may not last long, as dirt will accumulate on the fabric and may even become a serious concern for your health. But don't be worried - the procedure to clean your blinds is very simple, and anyone can do it.
Blinds are available in many types such as PVC blinds, aluminium blinds, wood blinds, cane blinds, fabric blinds and others, and cleaning of these blinds varies from material to material. If you follow the cleaning instructions properly, the quality of these blinds will be maintained and their quality and good looks will be preserved.
The following are some easy steps to clean these blinds according to their varying types:
Blinds are available in many types such as PVC blinds, aluminium blinds, wood blinds, cane blinds, fabric blinds and others, and cleaning of these blinds varies from material to material. If you follow the cleaning instructions properly, the quality of these blinds will be maintained and their quality and good looks will be preserved.
The following are some easy steps to clean these blinds according to their varying types:
PVC Vertical Blinds Cleaning
1) PVC Vertical Blinds or Blackout blinds can be cleaned in-situ with a soft damp cloth soaked in warm water and applied to each PVC slat. Another method which is highly effective is to take all the slats down and place them carefully in a bath of luke warm water and add some 3-4 drops of Fairy liquid to the bath water and clean them individually with a soft cloth. After cleaning each slat, wipe dry with a dry cloth and hang back on your headrail.
2) Vinyl or Aluminum Blinds: you can use a cloth, paper towel or damp sponge with a non abrasive cleaning product or warm water to clean these blinds.
3) Fabric Blinds: Fabric blinds are available in the market in the form of both vertical blinds and roller blinds. You can clean them easily with the help of light vacuuming, or you can use a sponge or soft cloth soaked in warm water to gently clean them.
4) Wooden blinds: Roller blinds and vertical blinds made of wood materials can also be cleaned very easily with light vacuuming or you can also use an all purpose wood cleaner and a soft cloth.
Never clean your wooden blinds with water, as this may cause your blinds to warp.
These are a few most common ways to clean your home blinds or office blinds. But the most effective way of cleaning is by the use of ultrasonic method. This method is considered the best, as it eliminates germs, bacteria, pollutants and moves dust particles. This type of cleaning is not possible with other blind cleaners.
With the increasing competition, you can now find many types of washable blinds on the market. You can even wash some Vertical Fabric Blinds in a washing machine (if your blinds are washable) but if your blinds are not washable then it will damage your blinds.
How To Remove Black Mildew Spots From Fabric Blinds
If the blinds are white or light cream in colour, use a diluted solution of water and bleach. 4-6 drops of bleach per cup of water should do. Wipe on with a damp sponge or cloth. If the mildew is bad this may take a few applications to kill the mildew and reduce the stain.
If the blinds are coloured, try with 3-5 drops of "colour safe" bleach per cup of water. In short, you basically need to kill the mildew but this may also kill and ruin the fabric. Bleach kills the mildew but weakens the fabric. If it is really bad, treat them anyway and make a plan on replacing your blinds in the near future. If you read the ingredient list on most Mold and Mildew stain removers, you will notice that bleach is included in the stain remover.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Head Rails.
During the lifespan of your vertical blind, most head rails can become clogged with dust, cobwebs and dust particles. Begin by wiping the dust away with a damp cloth or vacuuming the headrail to remove all the dust.
Then using a spray beeswax furniture polish on a dry cloth, wipe the inside wells of the track. This will allow it to work much more freely again. Once clean, just wipe a fresh layer of beeswax polish onto the inside of the rail and leave it there to act as a lubricant every 6 months.
Cleaning and Aftercare of Your Fabric Vertical Blinds
To be able to clean your louvres you must understand the terms.
If washable they can be washed in a washing machine. Unhook all weights and chains and remove the louvres from the head rail. Roll them all up together and place them into a pillow case making sure they cannot come loose. Seal the pillow case tightly with elastic bands and place in the washing machine on the lowest temperature possible. Stop the machine before the spin dry cycle and remove the louvres. Place them on a blanket to dry but out of direct sun light. Hang back up when they are dry.
Non washable means you can wipe them and probably still wash them, but not in a machine. Lay them flat in a bath; use a hand wash powder like Fairy. Never use washing up liquid as this is mostly salt based. Do not leave in the bath for more than a few minutes and wipe them over with a sponge or soft cloth. To wipe them in-situ, just use a sponge or cloth with hand wash powder mixed into water to wipe over them.
Wipeable means as above.
Certain fabrics should never have water applied to them as they are bonded fabric with a water based glue and this would just dissolve on contact. As a rule of thumb, it is best to follow the hand wash instructions rather than using a washing machine, even if they are machine washable.
If you are unsure which type of fabric you have, then use the wipe only method.
Never allow louvres to fold over as creases will not fall out. Never dry them in direct sunlight.
This is for information purposes only and PVC Vertical Blinds cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. If you are in any doubt contact your original supplier for their recommended details on how to clean your blinds.
Cleaning Fabric Blinds
Before removing the slats from the headrail, unclip the chain at the bottom of the slats and slide out the weights. To unhook the slats, hold the top of the slat, then tilt to 45 degrees and gently pull the clip out of the truck hook.
Lay the slats separately on a flat surface. Using a mild detergent like Fairy, clean each slat individually by wiping from top to bottom with a slightly damp soft cloth. Please don’t press too hard and don’t rub the slat. (We do strongly advise you that before cleaning your slats you test the detergent by cleaning a small inconspicuous area.)
Hang the slats to drip-dry. Do not hang to dry in direct sunlight
Replace the weights while the blind is drying.
Please Note: Do Not Iron and Do Not Tumble Dry
Hang the slats on the headrail and re-attach the stabilising chain to the weights.
