With Spring Cleaning Week now fully under way (it’s 16th-23rd March this year!), most of us haven’t a clue on how to properly look after our blinds. And when almost all of us don’t have the same type of blind or curtain across the whole house, cleaning them can feel like an even more daunting process. That’s where tuiss are here to help, after all a clean home makes a clearer mind.

We’ve already created guides on how to clean your Roman Blinds, Venetian Blinds and Shutters, so this time it’s Vertical Blind‘s turn to get the sparkling treatment! And let’s be honest, the Internet is a wonderful thing but there’s just too much information out there, so we’ve created the perfect balance with this easy to follow guide.

Top Tip #1: When cleaning anything, whether it’s the blinds or the whole house, always start cleaning from the top. Dirt will fall down and the last thing you want to do is have to clean the same spot twice.

1.The best way to start cleaning any type of blind is dry. You need to get rid of all the loose dust and dirt from the surface, making the rest of  the cleaning easier. Using the upholstery brush on your hoover, gently    vacuum each vertical vane. Make sure you cover both sides of each vane.

Top Tip #2: Using the upholstery brush instead of just the nozzle will make the suction weaker, giving your blinds a more gentle clean. Hoovers can lift or damage the surface qualities of some blinds.

2. One of the best things about vertical blinds is that you shouldn't need to take them down to be able to clean easily. Take a dry rubber sponge (a cellulose one will not work as well) and gently rub each vane to lift the dirt. For soiled spots, spray a little cleaning solution onto a clean dry cloth and give it a rub.

Top Tip #3: Don’t spray the cleaning solution onto the blinds as it can damage the fabric.

3. If you want to give your blinds a more thorough clean, you can give them a good soak. Remove each vane and lay them in a bath of warm (not hot)  water, mixed with a mild soap or detergent that's suitable for the fabric.You can give them a good scrub if needs be with a soft cloth or sponge.

Top Tip #4: Avoid using hot water at all costs! If your blinds are crafted together using glue (ours aren’t, but some companies do) then hot water can ruin it. Also, hot water can misshape blinds and damage the way the fall.

Top Tip #5: Do not try to soak your blinds if they’re made or a rigid material as you can end up creasing, bending or damaging them.

4. There are arguments to how best to dry vertical blinds that have been  washed. We say that the simplest way it to air dry them on a clothesline, without folding them over it. This will take some sturdy pegs but the     weights in the bottom will pull them back into shape and crease-free,     whilst the water droplets are collected by the ground, not in a puddle in your home.

Top Tip #6: If it’s miserable out or you don’t have the space to hang them in the garden, then putting them back up is fine, just make sure you put clean towels underneath to collect the drops.

And there you have it; a fool-proof guide to cleaning your blinds without damaging them.

Check out the other guides for tips on how to clean the other types of blind in your home:

You can find even more tips and guides on our pinterest boards :: tuiss