How To Clean Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood blinds not only have the look and appeal of real wood, but they’re also substantially easier to clean. Made with durable materials like PVC of vinyl, these blinds are a great choice for humid areas of the home, like bathrooms or kitchens, because they won’t crack, warp or fade. These reliable blinds are also scratch and dent resistant, making faux woods the perfect choice for high-traffic areas in your home. With a little elbow grease, you can have them looking brand new in no time.

They are a fantastic choice for any home. They offer the timeless, classic look of real wood but with incredible durability and moisture resistance. You invested in them because they are stylish, practical, and built to last. The best part? They are wonderfully easy to clean.

As a family-owned company with over 25 years of experience handcrafting window treatments, we know that keeping your home beautiful should be simple. You don’t need expensive services or harsh chemicals. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to clean faux wood blinds, from a quick weekly dusting to tackling stubborn, built-up gunk.

First: Gather Your Tools & Know What to Avoid

Being prepared makes any job easier. Before you start, grab a few simple household items.

What You’ll Need:

• A few clean microfiber cloths
• Your vacuum with the soft brush attachment
• A bucket or bowl of warm water
• Mild dish soap or detergent
• (Optional) White vinegar, baking soda, an old sock, or a dryer sheet

Crucial ‘Don’ts’: Our Expert Advice to Protect Your Blinds

In our 25 years, we’ve learned that what you don’t do is just as important as what you do. To protect your investment and keep your blinds looking perfect, please avoid these common mistakes:

• ❌ Do NOT use harsh chemical or abrasive cleaners. Products containing bleach or ammonia, as well as scouring powders or abrasive sponges, can scratch the surface and cause permanent discoloration or yellowing.
• ❌ Do NOT saturate the headrail. The top part of your blind houses the metal operating mechanisms. Getting this area wet can cause rust and damage, making your blinds difficult to operate.
• ❌ Do NOT use hot water. While faux wood is durable, very hot water can cause the slats to warp over time. Stick to warm or cool water.

Level 1: The Quick & Easy Dusting (Weekly Maintenance)

The best way to keep your blinds looking flawless is with a quick, regular dusting. This prevents the dust accumulation that can harbor allergens and turn into stubborn grime.

1. Close the Blinds: Lower your blinds fully and tilt the slats so they are closed.
2. Dust Them Down: Using a dry microfiber cloth or a feather duster, wipe each slat from the center outwards. Working from the top down ensures you catch all the dust.
3. Flip and Repeat: Rotate the slats so they face the other way and repeat the process.
4. The Vacuum Method: For an even faster clean, use your vacuum’s soft brush attachment. With the slats closed, gently run the brush over the blinds from top to bottom.
5. Pro Tip (The Dryer Sheet Hack): After dusting, wipe each slat with a clean dryer sheet. This helps to repel dust, meaning you’ll have to clean them less often.

Level 2: The Wipe-Down for Grime and Grease

For blinds in kitchens, bathrooms, or any area where they are exposed to more than just dust, a simple wipe-down will cut through the grime. This is the best method for cleaning without taking them down.

1. Dust First: Always give the blinds a quick dusting to remove any loose debris before you start wiping.
2. Prepare Your Solution: Fill a bucket or bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. For extra cleaning power, you can add a splash of white vinegar.
3. The Damp Cloth Method: Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and wring it out until it is just damp, not dripping. Close the blinds and wipe down each slat. Flip the slats and wipe the other side.
4. The Sock Hack: For a fun and efficient method, put an old, clean sock on your hand. Dampen it with your cleaning solution, then pinch each slat between your thumb and fingers to clean both sides at once.
5. Rinse and Dry: Go over the blinds one last time with a cloth dampened with only plain water to remove any soap residue. Finally, wipe them dry with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to prevent water spots.

Level 3: The Deep Clean (The Bathtub Soak)

If your blinds have significant built-up gunk or stubborn stains, a deep clean in the bathtub will restore them to their former glory. This is where the durability of faux wood really shines. Our Blindsgalore Essential Faux Wood Blinds are perfect for this, as their robust construction can handle a good soak without any issue.

1. Remove the Blinds: This is the most important step to do carefully. Open the small hinged doors on the front of your headrail brackets. Gently lift the blind out and away from the window.
2. CRUCIAL STEP: Never submerge the headrail. The metal components inside will rust. The bath is for the slats only.
3. Prepare the Bath: Lay an old towel in the bottom of your tub to prevent scratching. Fill the tub with enough warm water to cover the slats and add a cup of white vinegar or a generous squirt of mild dish soap. For extra tough grime, you can add a sprinkle of baking soda.
4. Soak the Blinds: Lay the blinds in the tub, keeping the headrail draped over the side and out of the water. Let the slats soak for at least an hour.
5. Scrub Gently: After soaking, use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe down each slat individually. An old toothbrush is perfect for getting into the edges and corners.
6. Rinse Thoroughly: Drain the dirty water and use your showerhead to rinse the soap and grime off the slats completely.
7. Dry Completely: This is key. Hang the blinds over your shower rod or outside on a clothesline. Wipe them down with a dry towel to speed up the process. Ensure they are 100% dry before re-hanging them to prevent mildew and ensure smooth operation.

How to Clean the Strings (The Forgotten Detail)

Dirty strings or pull cords can make even the cleanest blinds look dingy. Giving them a quick clean makes a huge difference.

1. The Wipe-Down: For general dirt, simply use a microfiber cloth dampened with your mild soap and water solution. Pinch the cord inside the cloth and run it up and down.
2. For Tougher Stains on White Cords: If your white cords are stained, you can use a cloth dipped in a very diluted bleach and water solution (one part bleach to ten parts water). Be extremely careful not to get any bleach on the slats themselves. A lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide mix is a good bleach alternative.
3. The Shaving Cream Hack: For a surprisingly effective method, apply a small amount of white foam shaving cream to the strings, work it in gently, and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

For a cleaner look altogether, consider a routeless design like our Blindsgalore Privacy Faux Wood Blinds. They eliminate the small holes where cords pass through the slats, offering better privacy and making them even easier to wipe clean since there are no notches for dust to hide in.

Caring for your faux wood blinds is simple because you don’t have to worry about damaging the fine grain of real wood. To start, simply use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or dust that may have accumulated. A vacuum with a brush attachment may make your life even easier. Make sure you also remember to flip your blinds in the opposite direction to get both sides of each slat. For stubborn dust, soak your cloth in a mild detergent mixed with warm water. This solution should leave your blinds squeaky clean and ready to shine.

Our Family Promise

As a family-owned business, we stand behind every product we craft. That’s why our Blindsgalore products come with a free 3-year warranty against any defects in materials or workmanship. We build our blinds to last, using quality materials that make the cleaning and maintenance we’ve described here that much easier. If you ever have a question, our in-house team of friendly window experts is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions