Wooden blinds can stay stunning and last for years if taken care of properly. Don’t ignore them! No matter how clean your home is, dust and dirt accumulate on blinds over time. The curse of any horizontal surface. If your blinds are gathering grime, or simply need a little sprucing up, it’s time to show them some love.
Regular cleaning isn’t just about keeping up appearances. A clean blind is a blind that lasts. Let’s dive into a comprehensive guide on how to clean the different types of wood blinds in your home. Whether they’re the real deal, faux wood, or woven wood, we’ll help you keep them looking their best. Gorgeous and long-lasting is the goal. Upgrade your cleaning routine to give your blinds the royal treatment.
Identify What Type of Wood Blinds You Have
Any style of wood blind will bring a natural warmth and add sophistication to your space. However, when it comes to cleaning, it’s important to know what you’re working with first. Not all wood window blinds are cleaned the same way. The most popular types of wood blinds include:
Wood Blinds
Created with natural wood slats, these blinds come in painted or stained options. They offer a timeless touch that work in any room or with any style. Different slat sizes cater to varying preferences for privacy and light control.
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Faux Wood Blinds
A more durable and budget-friendly option compared to their real wood counterpart. They combine affordability, attractiveness, and easy maintenance without the fear of fading or fraying. Especially in moisture-heavy areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
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Woven Wood Blinds
Woven wood shades, sometimes called bamboo blinds, operated more like a shade than a blind. Instead of horizontal slats, these shades are made from a solid piece of natural, woven material. They add delightful texture with a charming, tweedy appearance.
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Cleaning Wood Blind Hacks
Each different type of wood blind will require a slightly different approach. Cleaning never sounds fun. I get it. Fear not, we’ve got all the tips you’ll need to make it easy.
Note:When blinds are past the point of repair, it is time to get new ones for your home. Don’t try to work around broken slats, snapped cords, or a lifting/tilting malfunction.
The Best Way to Clean Wood Blinds
- 1. Use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to quickly remove any dust that has settled on your slats.
- 2. To remove more stubborn dust, use a soft cloth, feather duster, microfiber mitt if you’re fancy, old sock if you’re not.
- 3. Rotate each slat open/closed to ensure you’re cleaning both sides of your blinds.
- 4. Avoid any harsh chemicals on real wood!
- 5. If your real wood blinds receive a lot of harsh sunlight, use wood or lemon oil to polish them back to life.
- 6. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Give each slat a light spritz and wipe clean for a sparkling finish.
The Best Way To Clean Faux Wood Blinds
- 1. Give your blinds a quick once-over with the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove cobwebs and light dust.
- 2. Mix some liquid dish soap and warm water in a bowl — still avoid harsh chemicals on faux woods!
- 3. Dip a soft cloth or towel into the bowl, wring it out, and wipe down each slat. Avoid soaking the blinds.
- 4. A soft-bristled toothbrush is your secret weapon for stains. Dip it in a cleaning solution and scrub away any stubborn grime.
- 5. If you’re lacking equipment, a blow dryer on the lowest setting with cool air can blow away some dust. Better than nothing!
The Best Way to Clean Woven Wood Blinds
- 1. Sweep along the outside of the fabric with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to keep it on the lowest setting.
- 2. Don’t use any water or harsh chemicals to clean. This could ruin or discolor the natural materials on your shade.
- 3. Using a soft cloth, feather duster, or a sock over your hand, gently wipe away any accumulated dust.
- 4. Always use a light touch to avoid damaging woven shades. You want to keep their natural beauty intact.
- 5. Create a routine to keep your blinds clean. Schedule a time in your phone as a reminder. Twice a year should be more than enough to keep them maintained.
How to Clean Vertical Wood Blinds
The world of wooden window blinds isn’t limited to the styles above. Vertical wood blinds are also a very popular style of window covering, primarily used to cover sliding glass doors. While they don’t necessarily need to be made out of wood (most are vinyl), they still require regular cleaning. It’s all about using a gentle touch, mild cleaners, and the right drying technique.
- • Vertical blinds shouldn’t accumulate much dust, but often get dirty because people walk near or through them.
- • Depending on if your slats are real wood or faux wood, you will have to adapt your cleaning strategy accordingly.
- • In most cases, spot cleaning with a soft cloth and mix of warm water and white vinegar is all you’ll need.
- • It may help to remove the vanes individually to get them clean. Carefully unclip them, one-by-one, from the locking mechanism in the headrail.
- • You may be able to purchase individual slats if you need a replacement. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Cleaning Painted Wood Blinds
At their core, painted wood blinds are still just wood blinds. They don’t require too much special care. Unlike stained wood blinds that showcase the wood’s natural grain, a painted finish gives you the freedom to choose from a wider range of colors to better compliment your décor.
- • Determine whether your painted blinds are wood or faux wood and treat them using the correct methods above.
- • Be careful not to scuff or strip the paint when scrubbing. A light touch is the right touch.
- • Dry the blinds completely after washing. Paint and water don’t mix and it could cause peeling.
How to Clean Stained Wood Blinds
Both wood blinds and faux wood blinds can be stained for a deeper or richer color. Just like furniture. Despite the variety of colors available, these are still no different than your traditional horizontal blinds. Except their looks, of course. A deep-stained wood will really add warmth to your windows. Certainly more than the look of a traditional white-painted wood blind.
- • Before cleaning, determine if your blinds are real or faux wood and treat them accordingly using the advice above.
- • Steer clear of abrasive tools or harsh chemicals, and consider just spot cleaning with water/vinegar.
- • Some stains won’t offer much moisture protection (if any), so be extra gentle when cleaning and dry them as quickly as possible.
Most homes could use a light dusting. Blinds included. Keeping your 2-inch wood blinds looking great and making them last longer is all about regular maintenance. Know what your blinds or shades need is half the battle. The harder part is sticking to a routine. Of course, there’s more to life than just wood blinds. If you’re interested, we have plenty more tips on how to clean different types of window treatments.
Make room for a little window blind maintenance to make your space sparkle. With proper care every 6-12 months, you’ll guarantee yourself better-looking blinds that will last a lifetime.
Featured Image: Blindsgalore Premium 2-inch Wood Blinds
How to Clean Wood Blinds FAQ
A decent cleaning twice a year is the sweet spot. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a little weekly TLC. Every 6 to 12 months is a good practice. Don’t leave them hanging. Ha!
White vinegar is a powerful tool for stubborn stains on wood blinds. Just remember to dilute it in warm water before using avoid soaking your slats. Use a damp cloth and a light touch. If you’re worried, you can always test it out on a small, hidden spot first. We won’t tell anyone.
White wood blinds are no different than any other wood blinds. Remove dust with a duster or vacuum (low setting). Rotate each slat to ensure you get everything. If they’re still dirty, a spritz of white vinegar and water followed by a thorough cleaning with a soft cloth ought to do the trick.
Yes, but this is a desperate solution. Faux woods only and we don’t recommend it. But, if your faux wood blinds need a spa day, remove them from their brackets and run a warm bath. Add a mild detergent and let your blinds soak for about 30 minutes. Before taking them out, wipe down each slat with a soft cloth. Lay the blinds flat on a towel to dry before hanging them back up. Again, this is not an approved solution. Spot cleaning should be as far as you need to go.
In most homes, you’ll find a traditional 2-inch slat wood or faux wood blind and cleaning them is easy. For regular maintenance, use a soft cloth or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any dust that has settled on your slats. If you encounter a pesky stain, gently spot cleaning with warm water and white vinegar. Good as new!