How to Clean Blinds and Window Treatments

Blinds are dust magnets. Every slat, cord, and fold collects dust, pet dander, cooking grease, and whatever else floats through your air. Yet most people skip them during regular cleaning because — honestly — they seem tedious to clean.

They do not have to be. With the right approach for your blind type, you can dust them in minutes during weekly cleaning and deep clean them a few times a year without removing them from the window.

Quick Weekly Dusting (All Blind Types)

The best way to keep blinds clean is to dust them regularly so grime never builds up. Here are three fast methods:

Method 1: Microfiber Cloth

Close the blinds so the slats overlap. Starting at the top, wipe across each slat with a dry microfiber cloth. Reverse the blinds and repeat on the other side. This takes about 2 minutes per window.

Method 2: The Sock Method

Slip a clean, dry sock over your hand like a glove. Grip each slat between your thumb and fingers and slide across. The sock grabs dust from both sides of the slat at once. This is the fastest method for horizontal blinds.

Method 3: Vacuum With Brush Attachment

Use your vacuum's soft brush attachment on low suction. Run it across each slat or, for fabric blinds and cellular shades, work from top to bottom in gentle strokes. This works especially well for pleated and honeycomb shades that are hard to wipe.

Deep Cleaning by Blind Type

Aluminum and Vinyl Blinds

These are the easiest to deep clean because they can handle water.

1. Fill your bathtub with warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
2. Remove the blinds from the window and lay them in the tub.
3. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wipe each slat with a soft cloth or sponge.
5. Drain the tub, rinse the blinds with clean water, and hang them over the shower rod to drip dry.
6. Rehang once completely dry.

Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood blinds look like real wood but are made from PVC or composite materials. They handle moisture better than real wood but should not be soaked.

1. Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and a drop of dish soap.
2. Wipe each slat individually, working from top to bottom.
3. Follow with a dry cloth to prevent water spots.
4. For stubborn grime, use a paste of baking soda and water, apply gently, and wipe clean.

Real Wood Blinds

Wood blinds should never be soaked or even overly dampened. Water warps, cracks, and discolors real wood.

1. Dust thoroughly with a dry microfiber cloth or the sock method.
2. If needed, lightly dampen a cloth (wring it out until almost dry) and wipe each slat quickly.
3. Dry immediately with a clean cloth.
4. Apply a small amount of furniture polish once or twice a year to maintain the finish.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds collect less dust than horizontal ones but still need regular cleaning.

1. Dust from top to bottom using a microfiber cloth or vacuum brush attachment.
2. For deeper cleaning, wipe each vane with a damp cloth and mild soap.
3. If the vanes are fabric, check the manufacturer's label — some can be removed and machine washed on a gentle cycle.

Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades

The honeycomb structure of cellular shades traps dust inside the cells. These are the trickiest to deep clean.

1. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment on the lowest suction setting, working top to bottom.
2. For deeper cleaning, fill a bathtub with warm water and a small amount of gentle detergent.
3. Submerge the shades and gently agitate the water. Let them soak for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with clean water and hang to air dry completely before rehanging.

Special Case: Greasy Kitchen Blinds

Kitchen blinds collect cooking grease on top of dust, creating a sticky film. For these:

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray each slat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
3. Wipe with a microfiber cloth.
4. For heavy grease, add a drop of dish soap to the vinegar solution.

If you cook frequently, wipe down kitchen blinds every 2 weeks to prevent grease buildup from becoming a major project.

Quick Tips

• Dryer sheets repel dust. After cleaning, rub a dryer sheet across each slat. The anti-static properties help repel dust for longer.
• Work top to bottom. Dust falls, so always start at the top slat and work down.
• Close blinds both ways. When dusting, close them one direction, dust, then close the other direction and dust again to get both sides of every slat.
• Replace old cords. If pull cords are fraying or yellowed, replace them. Tangled or broken cords make blinds harder to clean and operate.

Clean Blinds, Brighter Rooms

Clean blinds make a surprising difference in how a room looks and feels. Dusty blinds dim natural light and spread allergens every time you open or close them. A weekly dusting habit and a quarterly deep clean keep them looking good and your indoor air cleaner.

If your blinds are part of a bigger cleaning backlog, Otesse's deep cleaning service covers blinds, window sills, and all the details that regular cleaning often misses.