How to Clean Blinds

Cleaning fabric roller shades might seem a daunting task, but it is actually pretty simple. Whether you have a stubborn stain you’re trying to get out or you just want to give your shades a quick sprucing up, this guide will give you the information you need.

GENERAL ROLLER SHADES MAINTENANCE

It’s good practice to do a bit of general maintenance on your roller shades a few times a month. It is easy to do in tandem with other household chores as all you need is a vacuum, some soap and a sponge.

1.) VACUUM YOUR ROLLER SHADES

Believe it or not, the easiest way to clean your roller shades is by using a vacuum. Start by fully extending the shades and, if possible, use a brush-head attachment on your vacuum and a low-suction setting. Move the vacuum carefully in an S-shaped pattern over the shades, making sure to pay particular attention to any creases or folds in the fabric where dust is likely to gather.

Once you’ve done the inward-facing side of the shades, pull it forward so you can access the outward-facing side, and vacuum that too.

In between vacuuming it’s also a good idea to run a duster over your shades while they’re fully extended.

2.) WIPE DOWN THE SHADES WITH SOAPY WATER

After vacuuming, you might want to go a little further by giving your shades a basic wash. You can do this without removing the shades - you just need some dish soap, water and a sponge or cloth.

Create a solution by filling a bowl or bucket with lukewarm water, and adding a healthy squeeze of washing up liquid or a tablespoon of detergent. Mix them together until the water turns soapy, and dip your sponge into the solution.

Start at the top of the shades and wipe side-to-side with the sponge, making sure to cover the entire surface. Rinse your sponge regularly to keep it as clean as possible, and make sure to wring it out if it seems oversaturated. If there are any large or obvious stains on your shades, increase the pressure to give them a deeper scrub.

If this doesn’t work to remove the stains, use a fabric stain remover. Make sure to follow the instructions and, if you’re worried about it damaging your shades, test it out on a small section on the outward facing side.

Once you have finished wiping your shades, leave them fully extended so that they can dry.

SPOT CLEANING YOUR SHADE

It’s a good idea to clean stains as soon as you notice them, as the fresher they are the easier they are to remove. If something spills or splashes onto your shades, act fast with a mild stain remover, such as a water and detergent solution. Gently sponge the area until the stain disappears. If this doesn’t work, you might need to scrub a little deeper or use a tougher stain removal solution

DEEP CLEANING YOUR SHADES

Occasionally, you might decide that your shades need a thorough cleaning. This might be if you haven’t had time to give them a wipe in a while or if they have accumulated several stubborn stains.

1.) TAKE DOWN AND VACUUM YOUR ROLLER SHADES

For deep cleaning, you will need to take down your shades and keep them fully extended. As before, give them a thorough vacuuming on both sides.

2.) SOAK AND SCRUB YOUR ROLLER SHADES

Fill a bath with a warm water and detergent solution, mixing until the water is soapy. Then, lower your shades into the bath and leave them there to soak for roughly 2-3 hours. While they’re soaking, you can use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub them clean.

3.) LEAVE YOUR ROLLER SHADES TO DRY

Drain the bathwater and give the shades a thorough rinse with clean water. Once they are completely clean, you can either lay the shades out flat to dry or hang them on a washing line. Roller shades usually need about 2 days to fully dry after being soaked.

And that’s how you clean your roller shades! For more tips and information on looking after your shades, check out our How to Measure for shadesblog and take a look at our full selection of roller shades.