How to wash fabric blinds at home: vertical and horizontal

Which blinds are machine washable

Only certain types of vertical blinds are allowed to be washed in a washing machine. This process is prohibited for expensive products with lamellas made from natural materials (jacquard, cotton, etc.). Moisture can cause them to break and shrink and are therefore only allowed to dry clean.

Also, blinds made of plastic or aluminum, bamboo, products with wood or fiberglass components cannot be washed. In the washing machine, it is allowed to wash only synthetic lamellas or its varieties.

General tips for the care of vertical blinds

The main function of any blinds is sun protection, they are constantly exposed to ultraviolet radiation, street dust settles on them. So that they do not fade and become dirty not so quickly, manufacturers impregnate them with a special composition. With frequent washing, this composition will inevitably be washed off.

The blinds will be clean for a while, but very soon they will fade, lose their shape and have to be replaced. Therefore, washing them too often is not recommended.

You should also pay attention to the composition of the fabric. Typically vertical blinds are:

jacquard;
synthetic;
cotton;
with fiberglass.

The machine can only be washed with fabrics, polyester or cotton. Jacquard is hand-washed in the bathroom or shower. And vertical blinds made of fiberglass fabric are cleaned only with dry methods. If wet cleaning is acceptable, then in any case the water temperature should be no more than 40 degrees.

Preparing the washing machine

Before washing the blinds in the washing machine, household appliances must be ready for this procedure. This is due to the properties of the material of which the lamellae are composed. Synthetics do not like the effects of chemicals, so traces of detergent left in the drum or in the cuvette can damage the vertical louvers.

Before washing the vertical blinds, the drum of the washing machine must be cleaned. For this, a special mode is used, if it is present, or the "Cotton" program is simply started at a temperature of 60 ° C without detergents and linen. During its execution, residues of powder, bleach, dye, as well as debris, threads, etc. will be washed out of the machine. Before starting the program, you can add citric acid to the cuvette - it will clean the internal parts of the device from lime deposits.

After cleaning the washing machine, you can start preparing the slats for washing.

Features of cleaning by type of contamination

We have analyzed what is the difference in care, depending on the material from which they are made. Now you should consider simple ways to get rid of different types of stains:

Nicotine. If the curtains are hung in a room where people are constantly smoking, they will form a yellow coating. The easiest way to return the lamellas to whiteness is to use a car dashboard cleaner. Ordinary soda can handle soot, but you will have to wash it off with the help of a shower. The last option is the usual whiteness. Or any chlorine-based product like the one used to clean plumbing fixtures.

Fat. For plastic or aluminum blinds from the kitchen, dilute 1: 2 vinegar with water. Moisten a soft cloth and wipe the slats with it, the grease should disappear.If that doesn't work, try washing them with chlorine - whiteness or domestos will cope even with a thick layer.

Felt pen. Kids love to paint on a variety of surfaces and blinds are no exception. The easiest way to remove these stains is with regular rubbing alcohol. Nail polish remover, toothpaste, hairspray, or WD-40 grease will also help. Try on an inconspicuous area before using any product to avoid ruining the curtains.

Now you know the basic ways to clean your blinds at home. But the most important advice is to do it regularly, then you can do only with warm water and soapy water, without chemicals.

How to prepare blinds for washing

We recommend that you vacuum the vertical blinds before removing them for washing. This must be done together in order to prevent kinks or other deformation of the lamellas. This will remove dry dust from the product, after which it will become much easier to wash it off. Such preparation is relevant in cases where the windows face a dusty street with busy traffic.

After cleaning the slats, the vertical blinds can be removed and disassembled. It is necessary to disconnect them one by one from the frame. You also need to unhook all lacing, beads, controls, and other items.

Each detached lamella must be carefully rolled up. This precaution will not allow it to deform or form a lump with other lamellas, which will be impossible to unravel. To prevent the rolls with lamellas from coming loose and breaking, you must carefully tie them up with a thread or cord.

Before washing the vertical blinds in the washing machine, the prepared slats are put into a washing bag. This is the only way to wash them and not damage them while the program is running.

How to wash blinds by hand

There are several methods on how to properly wash vertical curtains. But due to the fact that curtains are made from different types of fabrics, each of which has its own requirements for care, it is recommended to clean the slats according to the following algorithm:

Dilute the cleaning agent in warm water.
Soak the lamellas in the solution for 20 minutes.
At the end of the specified period, remove and inspect the canvases. If dirt remains on the surface, you need to clean the stains with a soft sponge. In this case, you can wash with the same soapy solution.

At the end, you need to rinse the canvases under cold running water.

Soak

If vertical fabric blinds were in the kitchen, grease and dirt constantly accumulated on them, which means that they are significantly dirty. To wash them as best as possible, place them in a container of water before placing them in the drum and soak them for several hours. The choice of detergent must be approached with caution.

To soak the lamellas, you need to take a few drops of liquid baby soap. If the solution contains a lot of foam, streaks will appear on the lamellas, which will be very difficult to remove.

Dry cleaning

As stated above, not all types of blinds are suitable for wet cleaning. Sometimes you have to limit yourself to only dry. It can be sufficient even for fabric or plastic types if done frequently and carefully. It will take a little time and a vacuum cleaner, perhaps a dry cloth. A wide, short-bristled nozzle is suitable for cleaning the blinds.

Expand the slats into one sheet.
Slowly brush over them with the vacuum cleaner brush.
Turn the slats to the other side and repeat the steps.

The decorative cornice and control rope can also be dry cleaned with a cloth. In case of heavy dirt, it is allowed to rub the parts with a solution of detergent.

Program installation

Roller blinds can be washed with one of the delicate programs.These are "Synthetics", "Delicate wash", "Hand wash", "Sensitive" and the like, depending on the brand and model of the washing machine.

If there are no such programs, you can set the mode yourself, guided by the following rules:

The water heating temperature should not exceed 30 ° С.
It is recommended to disable spinning.
If your washing machine has a drying option, it must also be turned off.
The EcoBubble mode found in most modern Samsung washing machines cannot be used either. When you start it, a lot of foam is formed, which can leave stains on the lamellas.
If it is possible to reduce the number of drum revolutions during washing, it is recommended to set the lowest value.

How to remove blinds from a window

Sometimes the blinds require a thorough cleaning. In such cases, it is recommended to dismantle them from the window. Collecting vertical curtains are mounted on special plastic runners. The design of the runners can be different, but they all provide for easy detachment of the lamellas, which can be done by hand.

If the slats at the top cling to the runners, but at the bottom they are gathered in a chain. It also detaches easily and attaches back to the lower weights to keep the sipes hanging straight.

Horizontal blinds have a non-separable fabric, so you remove all the slats at the same time. To remove it from the system, it is enough to pull up the latches and pull the bracket towards you, as carefully as possible.

Choosing a detergent

Roller blinds can be washed with liquid detergent. The use of detergents, various bleaches or other substances can damage the lamellas.

When washing colored vertical blinds, it is recommended to use a detergent of the same color. This will prevent fading or discoloration of the lamellas after washing.

How to clean bathroom blinds

The best way to properly wash the removed blinds with horizontal slats is to soak and wash them in the bathroom. To prevent the strips from getting tangled, bent or bursting, you need to carefully put the canvas on the bottom of the bath.

Here's the instruction:

fill part of the bath with thermal water;
dissolve a detergent in it (preferably dishware, or a delicate wash gel, but not washing powder);
soak the blinds in the solution for 3-4 hours;
alternately rub the lamellas with a soft brush until the dirt is completely removed;
rinse off the solution and fill the canvas with clean water for rinsing;
shake the canvas slightly, dry it with napkins (preferably lint-free);
re-hang on the window.

How to dry washed vertical blinds

After finishing washing, the vertical blinds will need to be dried. Without spinning and drying, they will be very wet, therefore, in front of the washing machine, you must substitute a container into which you want to fold the product.

In a private house with its own yard, it is very easy to dry the lamellas: it is necessary, without bending, to hang them on a clothesline, carefully attaching them with a clothespin over the edge. This will drain the water and then dry out.

If such an opportunity is not available, you can hang the product in the bathroom, on the balcony or loggia.

When drying lamellas, the following simple rules should be observed:

To prevent the vertical blinds from being damaged during drying and losing their appearance, it is necessary to attach a small weight to them from below.
Drying in direct sunlight is not allowed, the color of the products will be lost in this case.
It is not recommended to dry the lamellas with heating electrical appliances (heaters, dryers, etc.).
After drying, the lamellas should remain slightly damp, dry completely and straighten them already in their place after assembly.

How to clean without removing

When it is possible to do without washing, it is better to give preference to dry care.

Dust off

There are two ways to get rid of gray deposits:

Using a sponge or soft brush, wipe the lamellas from top to bottom, supporting the canvas by the edge. It is better not to use a rag, it will remove the surface layer, and the lower one will force it into the structure of the fabric deeper.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a special narrow small nozzle to walk along the entire length of the strips. The unit must operate at minimum power, otherwise there is a risk of deforming the louvers.

Remove stains

It will take some effort to get rid of the stubborn dirt. It is difficult to work with constantly raised hands, but if there is only one stain, it is better to use this method of cleaning, and not to remove the blinds for a full wash.

Sequencing:

Pour warm water into a bowl. Add some liquid soap there and stir until foam appears.
Moisten a sponge in the resulting solution and process the entire lamella, not just the damaged area. Only then should you pay special attention to the stain.
So that one strip does not stand out for its cleanliness against the background of the others, it is recommended to wash everything.

Ideal condition

It is also necessary to complete the procedure for caring for the lamellas correctly. It is required to consolidate the effect obtained.

Regardless of whether the cleaning was purely dry or using a soapy solution, you need to take clean warm water and additionally wipe each strip.
Wipe dry with a cloth.
Wipe the lamellas with a special fabric blinds brush. Such a tool can be purchased at a hardware store for a low price.

If you regularly, once a week, brush the dust off the strips with a special brush, you will need to wash them less often.

In order to properly wash vertical blinds at home, it is worth determining what they are made of, since there are recommendations for each type of material. Take a look at the instructions that came with the purchase.

General Tips:

If the material is jacquard, then only hand wash in water no higher than 30 degrees and a weak soap solution is permissible;
Fabric slats (cotton and synthetics) can be washed in a washing machine or by hand;
The lamellas made of aluminum or wood are strictly forbidden to machine wash, and only dry cleaning is suitable for fiberglass and bamboo lamellas.

It is important to remember that the lamellas are most often impregnated with a special protective solution, therefore it is recommended to wash them no more than once a year in order to avoid damage to the coating.

After machine or hand wash, it is necessary to ensure the correct position, care for the wet material, so that no deformation occurs.

Drying is carried out strictly in an upright position. Hang up immediately after rinsing in the shower. Horizontal drying is acceptable, but on a flat, smooth surface. A clean floor, a large tumble dryer will do.

Protect wet products from bright sunlight. Do not dry with a hair dryer or other household appliances that emit warm air.

If bends or creases appear, straighten it by hand. Do not place heavy objects on the surface.

After complete drying, go through the iron on the minimum ironing mode. Protect the slats with a cloth or gauze.

Natural fabric options are the most capricious.

The lamellas made of synthetic material can also be easily cleaned with soapy water, if the washing procedure is followed.

Vinyl or aluminum is the most undemanding material. It is not afraid of water, but it cannot be cleaned with abrasive particles, otherwise scratches will remain on the material.

It is recommended to clean materials such as bamboo and any wood without using water. If it is heavily soiled, you can try to remove it with a cloth soaked in alcohol.

How often should the slats be washed and cleaned?

How to wash horizontal blinds

Horizontal blinds also require periodic maintenance.Washing in a washing machine is not allowed for them, so at home they are cleaned as follows:

Raise the lamellas so that their front side is directed upward towards the ceiling.
Remove structural elements: weights, plastic elements, etc.
Move the protruding flags to the right, and then towards you. To remove the horizontal blinds from the brackets, you need to carefully, while holding the slats, pull them towards you.
The entire structure must be put into the bathroom and washed under the powerful pressure of water from the shower. The lamellas must be opened, otherwise they will stick to each other.
After the top layer of dirt is washed off, it is necessary to soak the open horizontal blinds in water and baby soap.
After soaking, rinse the slats thoroughly under water and leave for a while to allow the water to drain off.
Now you can hang the product in its original place. With a cloth or gauze, absorb the remaining moisture and leave to dry.
Install the disconnected parts, apply engine oil to the swivel mechanism.

Features of washing blinds from different materials

Different types of vertical fabric blinds wash in almost the same way. There are only a few minor differences.

As a rule, roller blinds do not need to be washed during the first years of use. But it is necessary to clean them with a sponge at least once every six months. You can simply wipe them down with a cloth dampened in cool water. The entire surface must be cleaned. All that remains is to collect the moisture with a dry sponge and spread it out to allow them to dry completely.

Before starting cleaning, you need to know an important condition - manufacturers do not recommend frequent washing of products due to the presence on their surface of a special impregnation that prevents dirt and dust from settling. With a delicate impact, the coating is washed out. As a result, vertical slats will get dirty faster and lose their appearance.

How to tidy up blinds of different quality:

Made of polyester - they do not cause difficulties in washing, they withstand the influence of external factors, the load, which allows them to keep their shape for a long time, not to deform. Machine washable.
Fiberglass - do not tolerate wet cleaning. A dry method is suitable for removing dirt.
Wood, bamboo. Fragile products that cannot tolerate water. Intense friction can break or scratch the plates.
Jacquard fabric, pleated with cotton and linen fibers. This type of blinds should be washed once a year. The attitude is gentle, observing the temperature regime at the level of 35-40 degrees, otherwise the material will shrink.
Polyester fibers. Easy to care for. They are not afraid of mechanical stress. The optimum water temperature is 35 degrees.
Cotton. On contact with moisture, they shrink slightly. Clean manually or with an automatic machine, but in a delicate mode.
Plastic. Strong, durable, unpretentious in care.
Aluminum. This material option is used for the manufacture of horizontal curtains. They quickly regain the lost shine and freshness under running water from the shower.

Having decided on self-cleaning of sun-protection window curtains, be careful in determining the quality, choosing the method of cleaning it.

Housewives wash polyester or cotton blinds in an automatic machine, although professional masters advise against doing this.

Let's try to protect ourselves:

Before sending the curtains to the machine, remove dust from them with a vacuum cleaner, wash heavy dirt by hand.
Roll the slats into loose rolls of 5-10 pieces (with or without weights) and pack them in duffel bags or nets, or use an unnecessary pillowcase, a piece of fabric that needs to be tied in a knot. Each roll should be in its own package.
Set the delicate mode on the typewriter with a temperature not exceeding 35 degrees, without spinning.
Choose a non-aggressive detergent (liquid or granular).
After washing, make sure the lamellas rinse well.If not, rinse by hand or machine.

How to clean blinds manually

If you have doubts about whether the blinds are washed in the washing machine, you should not carry out risky experiments, but take them to a dry cleaner, where they will be carefully and efficiently put in order.

It is sometimes possible to clean the lamellas by hand in the following ways:

Vacuum the blinds thoroughly, then mix water and ammonia in a 1: 1 ratio, dampen a soft cloth and dry thoroughly on both sides of the slats.
If you add soda to water and ammonia in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5, then even traces of ink can be easily removed with this tool.
A mixture of squeezed lemon juice and soda in a 1: 1 ratio also effectively removes dirt on light-colored blinds. It is necessary to carefully rub the stains with this composition, and after 15-20 minutes, remove the remnants of the product.
Acetone-free nail polish remover removes high-quality marks from a marker or felt-tip pen. You need to soak cotton or cloth in the product and wipe off the stains.
It is best to use a vacuum cleaner or soft bristled brush to remove dust. Coarse pile is not allowed.

Manual cleaning

A more gentle and sensible option is hand washing. There are two options: to show the wonders of acrobatics and clean the canvas in place, or to remove the elements and send them to the bath. It is more convenient to carry out water procedures in the bathroom.

How to arm yourself to wash fabric blinds at home? A specialized product or composition for cleaning furniture and carpets is the best choice in this situation. Even a neutral detergent or baby shower gel / shampoo will work. The main landmarks are the absence of bleaching particles or chlorine in the composition, a liquid consistency, since it is more problematic to dissolve powder compositions in water. An elastic cloth or soft brush will do as a working tool. Set aside hard and scratching brushes.

So, the order of actions:

dismantle the "piece by piece" elements;
place them in the bathtub and rinse them abundantly from the shower with warm water (30-40ºC);
separately dissolve a small amount of the product in warm water, dip the "aggregate" into the solution;
walk with gentle movements along the canvas, leave for 10-20 minutes to soak off the dirt;
rinse off the foam periodically and start over;
rinse thoroughly, let water drain.

Please note that vertical blinds are cleaned only lengthwise. Circular and lateral movements should be avoided, as this is fraught with scratches and abrasions.

After the procedure, lay the items on a horizontal surface or tumble dryer. If the number of free hands allows, fix the canvas in its usual place while still wet.

When is it worth contacting a dry cleaner:

with strong pollution, which it cannot cope with on its own;
if you are not familiar with the material and you cannot accurately determine its type;
if necessary, reduce the stain on the product for which washing is contraindicated;
at a high price of the product, the presence of additional decorative elements or a complex coating.

If you doubt your abilities, take the lamellae to dry cleaning. Modern equipment and cleaning products will do the trick. The same advice can be given if you are unsure of how to wash your jacket at home.

If the lamellas are not very dirty and you just want to freshen them up, it is not necessary to wash.

By the way, it can also be used for stubborn dirt, as it helps to get rid of stubborn stains.

The lamellas can be wiped clean with a window cleaner, unless, of course, they are made of fabric. Such a tool will not only make the slats clean, but also give them an antistatic effect.

Computer wet wipes can also effectively clean plastic or wood slats, giving them an anti-static effect.

There are many ways to wash fabric vertical blinds: hand wash, machine wash, using a steam cleaner. With the help of the latter, you don't even have to take them off. The device will remove all existing dirt and dust particles, all that remains is to remove the dark liquid. The treated fabric can be wiped with a rag soaked in soapy water with a little vinegar added. After that, the product must be wiped with clean water.

Attention! You cannot wash the product without preliminary preparation. Before washing, the product should be immersed in warm soapy water for an hour. Thanks to this, they will be more resistant to mechanical stress.

As an alternative to detergents, to reduce the likelihood of product damage, use these detergents:

Liquid stain remover. A detergent specially designed for delicate fabrics is suitable.
Ammonia. It is necessary to dilute ammonia with clean water. It can even get rid of ink stains by adding a pinch of baking soda.
Lemon juice. Effectively removes beverage stains. You should not apply juice to colored fabric blinds, because lemon can lighten them.

Berry stains can be removed with nail polish remover, but only those that do not contain acetone will work.

Many people clean fabric blinds with washing machines without any problems, although many experts strongly advise against doing this. It is important to adhere to the following rules:

Before placing the blinds in the drum, it is necessary to remove dust particles with a vacuum cleaner, old stains should be washed by hand.
The vertical stripes should be rolled into rolls of 6 pieces and placed in fabric bags. Any unnecessary piece of fabric will do for this.
You can wash at a temperature of at least 35 degrees, without spinning.
Only natural detergents, baby soap, wool stain remover are suitable.

When the process comes to an end, you need to make sure that there are no marks on the fabric vertical blinds. Can be rinsed again in the washing machine.

Washing vertical fabric blinds at home using the most delicate method can only be done by hand.

Washing in the bathroom. First you need to pour water at room temperature. If the rolls are brightly colored, then it is worth filling the tub with cool water. Add a little detergent. It is necessary to place the product in the bath so that it does not bend, otherwise it can be damaged. You should leave them for one hour, then clean them with a rag, wait half an hour. If the blinds are completely cleaned, they must be rinsed with water. If dirt remains, you can clean it again.

Synthetic products are able to withstand cleaning with a hard clothing brush. When cleaning cotton and linen products, use a soft sponge or cloth.

Washing in a basin. Fill the container with water, add a little stain remover. The strips must be carefully rolled up, pulled together with an elastic band. Place them in cloth bags. Soak for an hour. If they have not cleared of stains, you can wait another hour. Then rinse under running water.

In order for the blinds to please with their appearance, they must be regularly looked after. You can wash them 2 times a year, but if the stains appeared earlier, it is worth cleaning them, and it is not necessary to remove them from the windows. It is very easy to do this:

First you need to remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner. For this, a nozzle with a soft brush (with which upholstered furniture is usually cleaned) and the most delicate mode are suitable.
Then you need to dilute warm water with liquid gel.
It remains to soak a cloth in the detergent and wipe the vertical fabric blinds. When the water darkens, change.
And the last step is to fill the basin with clean water and rinse all the strips to wash off the remaining gel.

To keep the fabric looking longer, you can wipe the garment with a diluted conditioner.

If your house has high ceilings or you are preparing to become a mother, you should not take risks and climb up to the ceiling to remove the slats.

There are several more ways to care for blinds:

To get started, as in the previous recommendations, vacuum the canvases with a soft furniture nozzle. Dilute a highly foaming soap solution in a bucket. Using a soft sponge or cloth, apply the foam on both sides of each lamella. You can use the sponge on the handle to clean the windows. Not very convenient, but the tops of the blinds can be washed gently.
Do not try to wet the canvas too much so as not to leave stains and streaks. Change the water in the bucket and rinse off the foam from the lamellas. With this method of semi-dry cleaning, the curtains will dry very quickly. But if you still wet them too much, lay a thick layer of fabric on the windowsill or under the window (if you have long blinds) that will absorb the excess water flowing down from the slats.
This method will best preserve the dirt-repellent coating of the canvas and will not deform it. Do not open windows during such washing so that street dust does not stick to damp curtains. The disadvantage of this method is the need to constantly lift your head and arms high, as well as use a chair or a stepladder.
Perhaps the easiest way to clean the blinds without removing is to use a steamer or steam generator. It will clean heavy dirt, preserve the coating, do not deform the lamellas, and remove unpleasant odors.

We offer you to familiarize yourself with Filters in the washing machine - answers to questions

It is necessary to remove dust from fabric blinds every week. To do this, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Just brush over the entire surface, starting at the top and gradually working downward. There are special nozzles in the form of fingers, with which you can clean several blinds at once. With a certain skill, the cleaning process will be quite quick. In addition to a vacuum cleaner, you can also use an ordinary broom, which will collect all the dust from the vertical blinds on itself.

Is the use of the machine contraindicated?

Few people want to spend time manually cleaning curtains. It is much easier to put them in the washer and start one of the modes. Vertical blinds made of synthetic fabrics are allowed to be machine washed. Before loading the lamellas into the drum, they must be sorted by color. If the strips have heavy dirt, it is better to first remove such stains with the help of special products.

For convenience, before loading into the washing machine, the lamellas are stacked on top of each other and rolled into one small roll. The number of strips in the twist will depend on their length and width, the density of the matter, and the volume of the drum. To make washing safer, it is better to arrange the packages in special mesh bags or pack them in pillowcases.

When starting to machine wash vertical fabric blinds, you should remember the basic rules:

be sure to start a manual cleaning mode or a delicate program;
the water should not warm up to a temperature above 40 ° C;
automatic spin should be turned off or set to the minimum rotation speed (up to 400 revolutions);
it is important to give up powders, and give preference to liquid washing gels for delicate fabrics;
it is forbidden to use chlorine-containing bleaches and stain removers containing aggressive ingredients;
Before washing your colored blinds, make sure they do not stain the water. To do this, wipe one of the strips with a wet white cloth. If the paints "float" after contact with water, you will have to refuse washing. Quality curtains endure bathing without any loss.

The washed blinds can be dried both vertically, hanging back on the cornice, and horizontally, spreading out on the floor or table. Sometimes the lamellas can bend during the drying process, but this problem can be easily solved with an iron or steam generator.

It is not worth washing the blinds in a typewriter too often - after each cycle the fabric becomes softer, which means it loses its sun-protection properties.