How to clean Roller Blinds

Author: SearchMyLocal | Last Updated: 12 Mar 2022

Do your roller blinds look like they could use a good cleaning? If so, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, many people neglect to clean their blinds on a regular basis, but it’s important to do so in order to keep them looking their best. Fortunately, cleaning roller blinds is a relatively easy task that can be done in just a few minutes. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to clean roller blinds quickly and easily.

What are roller blinds and why do they get dirty?

Roller blinds are very popular nowadays for both home and commercial use. This is because they are simple, sleek, and less bulky than traditional blinds. Roller blinds are composed of a single piece of fabric fitted to the width and length of your window, which is then wrapped around a cylinder that “rolls” and “unrolls” the fabric to either open or shut the blinds, respectively. It is operated by a pulley-cord system. The pull system can even be motorised, making it a good choice for “smart homes” and remote control partner devices.

Aside from fabric, roller blinds can also be made with water-resistant, fire-retardant, and “blackout” material. As a result, they are extremely versatile and offer homeowners a wide range of choices for functionality, style, and price point.

Why and when should you clean your roller blinds?

Like any kind of window fixture, roller blinds can accumulate dust, dirt, and other nasty things over time. If the blinds are installed in a particularly moisture-rich area, they can even develop mould on them. If you have roller blinds installed in your kitchen, you may also notice they also get greasy or sticky from oil drops that have landed on them during cooking. The dirtier your roller blinds become, the more likely they are to trigger allergies, asthma, skin irritation, etc. This is why it’s very important to regularly clean your blinds—do a deep clean every month or so, and a “dry clean” routine at least every week to keep them fresh and safe.

Different ways to clean your roller blinds

Cleaning roller blinds can be done a number of ways, depending on the condition of the blinds and how much time you have to dedicate to the cleaning. You also need to pay attention to the material of your roller blinds; some can be safely washed and submerged, while others can’t as it may compromise some properties of the material. When in doubt, always get in touch with your manufacturer, especially if you plan to do a thorough deep clean. Read on for the different methods of cleaning your roller blinds!

“Light cleaning”: Vacuuming and wiping

If your roller blinds are only slightly dirty, newly installed, or have been recently deep-cleaned, you may only need to do some regular upkeep to keep them dust-free and looking good. The easiest way to do this is to vacuum your roller blinds every week. Fabric roller blinds are best vacuumed, and if the fabric can stand it, you can even use the included brush attachment to brush over the blinds lightly. Just make sure not to rub the brush too hard on the fabric as it might snag or tear; just enough to loosen any dust, cat fur, or hair that might have settled between the fibres.

For plastic roller blinds (or any material with a smooth, glossy surface), we recommend using a soft cloth to lightly clean the blinds every week. A lint-free cloth is best so that you don’t further deposit any fibres onto the blinds. You can even lightly dampen the cloth to really pick up all the dirt, then wipe dry with another cloth.

“Damp cleaning”: A damp cloth or sponge and some detergent

If you have a little bit more dirt or light stains you need to remove from the roller blinds, you might want to add a little soaping into the routine. Start with vacuuming and/or wiping dry to remove the first coat of dust and dirt. Next, mix a light soapy solution of fabric-safe detergent and water. Use a soft cloth or a sponge to gently work the soapy solution into the fabric of the roller blinds, being careful not to soak the material, just lightly dampening, concentrating on stains if there are any. Use a clean cloth or sponge to work away the soap solution and “rinse” the fabric. Roll the blinds out to their full lengths and use a fan or a hairdryer to speed up the drying process; don’t roll them up while damp, as this may cause mould and mildew to grow. This method also works well for plastic-material roller blinds, provided the manufacturer doesn’t caution against using soap or detergent on it.

“Deep clean”: Full washing of the roller blinds

If your roller blinds are particularly grimy, have some very stubborn stains, or have been subjected to a lot of greasy air (such as in a kitchen) or pollution (if used outside the home), you will need to a deep clean of the blinds. To do a deep clean, you will need to remove the blinds from their mount. Again, check with the manufacturer’s directions on doing a deep clean; some detergents cannot be used with some materials, such as plastic-based blinds, since it may remove special coatings on top.

Fill a bathtub or a big basin with warm water and add a gentle laundry detergent. Gently lower the blinds into the soapy solution and let them soak for a few hours to let the detergent work away at the dirt and grease. After soaking, using a soft cloth or sponge, lightly scrub the blinds lengthwise. Once done, rinse the blinds with clean, running water; a detachable showerhead or hose would work great. Leave your blinds to hang gently draped over a drying rack or something similar; you can use a fan to help speed up the process. When completely dry, you can re-attach the blinds back on their mounts and admire your clean new rollers!

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