How to wash vertical blinds: how to remove them, can they be washed in a machine, tips for washing by hand, how to dry them after?

Practical, stylish, and easily fit into any interior - vertical fabric blinds.

A variety of colors and materials allows you to choose the ideal option for both strict office design and cozy home interiors.

You can maintain the original appearance of vertical blinds for as long as possible if you follow the rules and recommendations for care.

Read the article about whether and how to wash vertical fabric blinds in a machine.

Is it possible?

Before you start washing vertical fabric blinds, it is very important to study the manufacturer’s information about the composition of the fabric and recommendations for caring for the product.

There are certain restrictions (only hand washing is allowed) for blinds made from natural fabrics:

cotton,
linen,
jacquard.

Ignoring this rule will lead to the fact that the fabric strips change their shape, decrease in size and the blinds will be hopelessly damaged.
You can process products from:

synthetics,
polyester,
mixed types of fabric.

Regardless of the type of slat fabric, blinds are washed only in compliance with the temperature regime (no more than 40°C), using the correct detergent (liquid formulations and gels only), without the use of aggressive stain removers and bleaches, without twisting and wringing.

How to remove them?

Removing the lamellas will not be difficult if you follow a clear algorithm of actions:

The slats are set to the open position (perpendicular to the window).
Remove the chain connecting all the slats (located at the bottom of the blinds).
Remove the weights, inserting them into the bottom of each fabric strip.
Remove the side cap of the vertical blinds cornice.
Having unfastened the fastening element in the upper part of the lamella, carefully, one by one, remove all the fabric strips from the cornice.

The plastic fastening runner (clothespin or hook) that secures the fabric strip to the curtain rod is very fragile. Careless, sudden movements can easily damage it.

This article will tell you more about how to remove vertical blinds.

Preparing for washing

It is possible to achieve the ideal result of cleanliness and freshness, while maintaining the shape and color of vertical fabric strips of blinds, provided that they are properly prepared before washing.

What should be done:

carefully remove the slats from the cornice, remove the weight plate;
Using a soft furniture nozzle, vacuum each lamella, clearing it of dust;
Carefully roll each fabric strip into a not very tight roll and place it in a special laundry bag (can be replaced with a white pillowcase).

Machine processing

Before machine washing, it is very important to study the fabric composition of vertical stripes. The thing is that it is not recommended to wet expensive natural fabrics (for example, jacquard).

For fiberglass slats, only dry cleaning is suitable. Vertical blinds made from synthetic fabrics are machine washable.

Algorithm of actions:

The pre-prepared lamellas are carefully rolled into rolls, tied in three pieces with white thread and placed in special laundry bags.
Set the delicate or manual type of wash, the temperature is not higher than 40C, the number of washing revolutions is no more than 400. The rinsing and spinning mode is turned off.
Liquid detergent for delicate items is poured into a special compartment. Regular dry powder cannot be used, since abrasive particles, if poorly rinsed out of the fabric, can affect the color and shape of the product.
After washing, the slats are immediately taken out of the bags, rinsed thoroughly under running water, laid out on a horizontal surface to drain the water, and hung to dry.

Cleaning by hand

Delicate hand washing will help refresh slats made from natural fabrics.

Algorithm of actions:

Each fabric lamella, having previously been freed from the weighting plate, is rolled into a roll. It is important that the rolls are not too tight, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve high quality washing.
Warm water is poured into a wide basin (temperature no more than 40°C), liquid detergent is added (the dosage is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging).
Prepared rolls of fabric strips of blinds are immersed in a soap solution (water should completely cover them) and left to soak for half an hour.
Afterwards, the rolls are unrolled and carefully inspected for any remaining stains.
Using a soft sponge soaked in a soapy solution, carefully wipe the fabric slats on both sides. It is important not to twist the fabric during the washing process, otherwise creases will appear on the slats, which are very difficult to get rid of. All movements are performed strictly along the length of the fabric strip.
After washing, the slats are thoroughly rinsed under running water.
Clean strips are laid out on a horizontal surface, the water is allowed to drain and hung to dry in a dark, well-ventilated place.

Can vertical blinds be washed?

To determine whether blinds can be washed, you need to determine what material they are made from:

Products made from synthetic fabrics can be washed by hand or in a washing machine.
Cotton slats are hand and machine washable.
Jacquard blinds can only be cleaned by dry and wet cleaning, as well as washed by hand.

If you do not follow the care instructions that come with the design, the blinds may be permanently damaged. They will stretch or shrink, may lose color saturation or develop other defects. The slats are covered with a special dirt-repellent coating, so they need to be washed no more than 1-2 times a year. The fact is that with each wash the coating is washed off and loses its properties, as a result they will get dirty faster. It is advisable to wash them at the same time as washing the window.

Advice! If the blinds are made of natural expensive fabrics, it is better to refuse washing at home and use dry cleaning services.

How to remove vertical blinds for further washing - video:

How to clean without removing?

Cleaning the slats without removing them from the curtain rod will make the process of caring for the blinds easier.

Algorithm of actions:

Using a soft furniture attachment, thoroughly clean the fabric strips from dust with a vacuum cleaner.
Warm water (room temperature) is poured into a basin, in which liquid detergent is dissolved (as an option, you can use shavings of laundry soap).
Each lamella is thoroughly wiped on both sides with a sponge soaked in a soap solution (the water must be changed as it becomes dirty).
Use a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining detergent from the blinds.
Already washed blinds are wiped with a sponge dampened with water with the addition of conditioner (covers the fabric with a protective, antistatic layer, gives the blinds a pleasant aroma of freshness).

You can clean vertical blinds as quickly as possible without removing them from the eaves by using a steam generator. It will not only clean stubborn stains, but also remove unpleasant odors.

How to dry clean curtains?

This option is well suited for synthetic material, in which dirt collects on the surface without penetrating inside.

For dry cleaning you can use the following products:

A broom for sweeping floors. First, the instrument must be thoroughly washed from dirt. The broom can only be used dry. Movements are made from top to bottom. The dust will collect on the broom and partially fall onto the windowsill, where it can be easily removed with a rag.
A brush with soft bristles. The strips are pressed against the glass, after which a brush passes over their surface.
Hand attachments. These devices can be purchased at hardware stores. The nozzles grab several strips at once and clean them of dust from both sides.
Vacuum cleaner. If you are using a hard nozzle, it is advisable to wrap it with cloth or put an old sock on it; they will collect all the debris without leaving scratches on the surface of the material.

Removing heavy dirt and stains

Before washing, each fabric strip of blinds must be carefully inspected for stains.

Very strong stains and stubborn stains can be removed using the following methods:

Ammonia refreshes and removes stains. It is necessary to dilute a bottle of ammonia in 10 liters of water and soak the fabric slats in the resulting solution. If necessary, especially dirty stains are wiped again with a sponge soaked in ammonia solution.
Citric acid is an effective remedy for removing stubborn tea or coffee stains. To work, dilute one sachet of citric acid powder in 10 liters of water, moisten a sponge in the resulting product and carefully wipe the stain on the slats.
Ammonia and baking soda will help remove old, stubborn ink stains. You need to mix baking soda (1 tablespoon) with ammonia to form a liquid slurry, apply the resulting product to a cloth and thoroughly wipe the stain on the fabric strip.
Vinegar is good for cleaning colored blinds. The vinegar solution will help remove stains while maintaining the brightness of the fabric slats. To work, you need to dilute 3 tablespoons in 10 liters of water. vinegar, soak fabric strips in the resulting solution. After half an hour, the lamellas are taken out, rinsed in clean water and hung out to dry.

Dry cleaning

If you are not confident in your abilities, and fabric blinds look very dirty and need to be washed thoroughly, the easiest way is to take the slats to the dry cleaner. It costs a certain amount of money. You will be left with open windows for some time, but everything will be washed there efficiently and quickly. And if you don’t like something, you can make a complaint.

Dry cleaning of blinds

If your vertical blinds cost a lot of money, then it’s better not to risk washing them yourself, but to call a dry cleaner. But if you still decide to test your strength, then there are a couple more practical tips for cleaning vertical slats:

When cleaning lamellas with a relief structure, you cannot use a brush;
to thoroughly clean the slats from dust, it is necessary to mix ammonia with water in a ratio of 50 to 50, moisten a soft cloth with this solution and wipe all the slats with it on both sides;
To remove tea stains from slats, you need to use citric acid. Dilute one teaspoon of citric acid into one glass of water and gently clean the stain;
marks from a felt-tip pen can be easily removed with nail polish remover, but it should not contain acetone.

To summarize, we can say that the choice of method for cleaning vertical blinds depends mainly on the material of the slats and the desire to work.

How to dry?

Proper drying is a guarantee that the fabric slats of vertical blinds will retain their shape and color after washing.

Basic recommendations:

Immediately after washing, the slats must be hung out to dry (delay can cause creases and folds to appear, which are very difficult to get rid of).
Dry the fabric strips in the fresh air in a well-ventilated place. The slats are fixed to the rope with clothespins using a plastic fastener, preventing the strip from bending.
It is strictly forbidden to dry the lamellas on heating devices or near an open fire. A sudden change in temperature can cause deformation of the product.

If it is raining, windy, or snowing outside, dry the washed vertical blinds indoors as follows:

Immediately after washing, the fabric strips are laid out on a horizontal surface to drain the water.
Wet slats are hung on the eaves. A weighting plate must be fixed in each strip. This way you can avoid problems with the canvas shrinking, the formation of creases and folds on it.

Until the blinds are dry, you cannot open the windows indoors (dust from the street may stick to the still damp fabric).

Preventing contamination of fabric blinds

In order for fabric blinds to retain their presentable appearance and performance for as long as possible, you must adhere to several mandatory and simple rules:

Dry clean the fabrics every week. This will avoid the accumulation of a thick layer of dust, which over time penetrates deep into the fibers.
Use only those substances for cleaning fabrics that are recommended in the product’s instruction manual.
Treat the material with fabric softener monthly. This product will help solve several problems at once - give the fabric a pleasant smell, rid it of static electricity and create a layer protecting it from contamination.
Do not smoke in the room where the blinds are hung.

You should use a mosquito net on your windows to reduce street dirt getting on your blinds.

How to care?

Some care recommendations will help maintain the original appearance of vertical blinds

at least once a week, the fabric slats are cleaned of dust with a vacuum cleaner;
once or twice a month, wipe the fabric strips with a sponge soaked in antistatic agent;
It is necessary to wash fabric slats as rarely as possible, this will extend their service life;
small spots can be removed locally without soaking the entire fabric strip;
If you have the slightest doubt about the advisability of home cleaning, your own strengths and knowledge, it is better to entrust vertical fabric blinds to the experienced hands of dry cleaning professionals.

Mechanical washing of slats

Before loading the slats into the machine, remember that the fabric tends to shrink. Therefore, it is better to wash the stripes by hand once again. Thus, they will not lose their attractive appearance. To prevent the rolls from unraveling during washing, place them in a special laundry bag or tie them with a household rope.

After mechanical washing, we recommend rinsing the ribbons once by hand. This will eliminate the appearance of soap stains after drying. Make sure that the slats do not dry in direct sunlight. To prevent deformation, hang it again from the cornice and secure the bottom with weights. It is important not to exaggerate the weight so as not to stretch the fabric. This way they won't lose their shape or crumple.

Cleaning plastic vertical blinds

Adviсe

Important Recommendations:

Before washing, it would be a good idea to check whether the fabric from which the slats are made is not fading.
Vertical blinds cannot be washed with clothes or bedding.
It is strictly forbidden to use automatic drying or iron fabric strips (high temperature deforms the fabric and destroys the top protective layer).
It is prohibited to use chlorine-containing products or stain removers to clean fabric slats.
Instead of liquid detergent, you can use shavings of laundry soap to wash vertical blinds.
When choosing a liquid detergent, be sure to take into account the color of the lamellas. For colored stripes, use only powder for colored fabrics, and for light-colored blinds, use only powder for white fabrics.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.

How to steam clean?

Steam treatment of fabric blinds allows you to remove the most durable and persistent stains. The steam generator softens and dissolves grease droplets, nicotine tar, glue stains, stationery marks and stubborn street dust that has accumulated over the years. Processing of products should begin with the cornice and fittings. While performing this process, you can get used to the peculiarities of working with a steam generator.

After cleaning the hard parts, you can move on to the panels. Processing should begin from the upper parts so that dirt does not flow onto a clean cloth. During the steam supply process, deposits on the material mix with condensate and form a liquid substance. It must be collected immediately with fiber or a sponge.

It is not recommended to use a steam generator frequently, as exposure to high temperature and moisture negatively affects the quality of the fabric. This cleaning method is used in cases where the dirt is so strong that it is not possible to remove it by washing.