How to wash vertical blinds: how to remove them, can they be washed in a machine, tips for washing by hand, how to dry them after?

Practical, stylish, and easily fit into any interior - vertical fabric blinds.

A variety of colors and materials allows you to choose the ideal option for both strict office design and cozy home interiors.

You can maintain the original appearance of vertical blinds for as long as possible if you follow the rules and recommendations for care.

Read the article about whether and how to wash vertical fabric blinds in a machine.

Is it possible?

Before you start washing vertical fabric blinds, it is very important to study the manufacturer’s information about the composition of the fabric and recommendations for caring for the product.

There are certain restrictions (only hand washing is allowed) for blinds made from natural fabrics:

cotton,
linen,
jacquard.

Ignoring this rule will lead to the fact that the fabric strips change their shape, decrease in size and the blinds will be hopelessly damaged.
You can process products from:

synthetics,
polyester,
mixed types of fabric.

Regardless of the type of slat fabric, blinds are washed only in compliance with the temperature regime (no more than 40°C), using the correct detergent (liquid formulations and gels only), without the use of aggressive stain removers and bleaches, without twisting and wringing.

General rules for cleaning vertical blinds

So, initially it’s worth figuring out which type of blinds can be washed by hand, in a machine, and which ones are generally prohibited from being cleaned with water. Starting with the prohibitions, it is worth saying that it is forbidden to wash fiberglass blinds, as well as bamboo, wood, aluminum and plastic. For these types of slats, only dry cleaning and wiping with a damp cloth are suitable. Using a vacuum cleaner and a special attachment, cleaning vertical blinds from dust is quite easy. Caring for such curtains is not difficult; if they get dirty, you can locally clean the surface with a sponge and soap solution.

Hand wash is suitable for slats made of fabric and jacquard. True, this process is quite labor-intensive and requires careful execution. Synthetic curtains can be cleaned in a washing machine. As a rule, when purchasing such a product, it must be accompanied by brief instructions, which must indicate whether the blinds can be washed and in what way.

The general instructions for caring for slats are quite general and have their own deviations. Manufacturers recommend cleaning vertical blinds once every six months, but it is worth considering the condition of the window, the room in which the blinds are located, and their color. Of course, on white and pastel-colored lamellas the slightest dirt is noticeable, unlike in darker colors or with a pattern. Therefore, when choosing curtains, it is worth initially assessing the degree of possible contamination in a particular room. For example, for a kitchen where the window is located close to the working wall and stove, you should not purchase fabric or bamboo blinds.

You may also be interested in: How to quickly and thoroughly wash blinds

How to remove them?

Removing the lamellas will not be difficult if you follow a clear algorithm of actions:

The slats are set to the open position (perpendicular to the window).
Remove the chain connecting all the slats (located at the bottom of the blinds).
Remove the weights, inserting them into the bottom of each fabric strip.
Remove the side cap of the vertical blinds cornice.
Having unfastened the fastening element in the upper part of the lamella, carefully, one by one, remove all the fabric strips from the cornice.

The plastic fastening runner (clothespin or hook) that secures the fabric strip to the curtain rod is very fragile. Careless, sudden movements can easily damage it.

This article will tell you more about how to remove vertical blinds.

Preparing for washing

It is possible to achieve the ideal result of cleanliness and freshness, while maintaining the shape and color of vertical fabric strips of blinds, provided that they are properly prepared before washing.

What should be done:

carefully remove the slats from the cornice, remove the weight plate;
Using a soft furniture nozzle, vacuum each lamella, clearing it of dust;
Carefully roll each fabric strip into a not very tight roll and place it in a special laundry bag (can be replaced with a white pillowcase).

Machine processing

Before machine washing, it is very important to study the fabric composition of vertical stripes. The thing is that it is not recommended to wet expensive natural fabrics (for example, jacquard).

For fiberglass slats, only dry cleaning is suitable. Vertical blinds made from synthetic fabrics are machine washable.

Algorithm of actions:

The pre-prepared lamellas are carefully rolled into rolls, tied in three pieces with white thread and placed in special laundry bags.
Set the delicate or manual type of wash, the temperature is not higher than 40C, the number of washing revolutions is no more than 400. The rinsing and spinning mode is turned off.
Liquid detergent for delicate items is poured into a special compartment. Regular dry powder cannot be used, since abrasive particles, if poorly rinsed out of the fabric, can affect the color and shape of the product.
After washing, the slats are immediately taken out of the bags, rinsed thoroughly under running water, laid out on a horizontal surface to drain the water, and hung to dry.

Cleaning by hand

Delicate hand washing will help refresh slats made from natural fabrics.

Algorithm of actions:

Each fabric lamella, having previously been freed from the weighting plate, is rolled into a roll. It is important that the rolls are not too tight, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve high quality washing.
Warm water is poured into a wide basin (temperature no more than 40°C), liquid detergent is added (the dosage is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging).
Prepared rolls of fabric strips of blinds are immersed in a soap solution (water should completely cover them) and left to soak for half an hour.
Afterwards, the rolls are unrolled and carefully inspected for any remaining stains.
Using a soft sponge soaked in a soapy solution, carefully wipe the fabric slats on both sides. It is important not to twist the fabric during the washing process, otherwise creases will appear on the slats, which are very difficult to get rid of. All movements are performed strictly along the length of the fabric strip.
After washing, the slats are thoroughly rinsed under running water.
Clean strips are laid out on a horizontal surface, the water is allowed to drain and hung to dry in a dark, well-ventilated place.

How to properly clean slats made of thick fabric?

Regardless of what material the vertical fabric slats are made of, they must be removed before intensive cleaning. All small parts are placed in a separate box and, if necessary, cleaned by hand.

Dense matter does not react well to processing in a washing machine, so it is better to do everything by hand:

Pour warm water into the bath, add a little washing powder or detergent. If the blinds are colored, then it must be a composition with color preservation properties. White fabric elements can be cleaned with bleach. It is not recommended to soak the strips in a basin; it is better to use a bathtub, then the formation of creases can be avoided.
After the products are thoroughly wet, we proceed to direct action on the stains. They can be washed by hand or scrubbed with a brush using detergent (but not laundry soap).
If the stains are very stubborn, it is recommended to use a stain remover.
Next, drain the water, replace it with clean water and rinse the slats. After this, each element must be held under running water so that the detergent is washed out of it.
After all the cleaning procedures, we hang the vertical parts on the cornice, assembling the device according to the diagram. We lay several rags or towels under the window, onto which the water will drain. It is prohibited to squeeze or dry the slats by throwing them over a rope. They form creases that are difficult to remove.

Advice: If it is obvious that the dirt is firmly ingrained and it is no longer useful to wash individual elements, the damaged areas can simply be replaced. You just need to choose insert slats of the same color. If necessary, they can even be washed a little so that they perfectly match the color with the rest of the product details.

How to clean without removing?

Cleaning the slats without removing them from the curtain rod will make the process of caring for the blinds easier.

Algorithm of actions:

Using a soft furniture attachment, thoroughly clean the fabric strips from dust with a vacuum cleaner.
Warm water (room temperature) is poured into a basin, in which liquid detergent is dissolved (as an option, you can use shavings of laundry soap).
Each lamella is thoroughly wiped on both sides with a sponge soaked in a soap solution (the water must be changed as it becomes dirty).
Use a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining detergent from the blinds.
Already washed blinds are wiped with a sponge dampened with water with the addition of conditioner (covers the fabric with a protective, antistatic layer, gives the blinds a pleasant aroma of freshness).

You can clean vertical blinds as quickly as possible without removing them from the eaves by using a steam generator. It will not only clean stubborn stains, but also remove unpleasant odors.

How to remove heavy stains?

If dust from the blinds is easy to remove with a damp cloth soaked in a soap solution, then removing heavy dirt will be much more difficult. You can solve the problem with store-bought or folk remedies. If you decide to use traditional methods, make sure they are safe. To do this, carry out a test - apply the product in an invisible place and make sure that it does not harm the material.

To remove dirt from fabric blinds, use:

Store-bought stain remover . Choose a product designed for delicate items. Use it according to the instructions.
Ammonia . Dilute ammonia with water in a 1:1 ratio. Soak a sponge or soft cloth in the solution and wipe heavily soiled areas with it. To remove ink stains, add a little baking soda to the solution.
Lemon juice . Traces of tea can be removed with lemon juice. It is enough to gently wipe the problem areas with it. For colored slats, you should not use this method, since lemon juice can be aggressive towards the dye used.

Marks from a felt-tip pen can be removed with nail polish remover, but you need to choose a composition that does not contain acetone.

Note! Do not use stain removers that contain chlorine or other aggressive chemicals to remove stains.

Wash vertical blinds by hand or in a machine. If this does not solve the problem, contact your dry cleaner. It is also worth using the services of specialists in cases where the structures are made of expensive fabrics. Dry cleaning services will cost less than buying new blinds if they are damaged.

Follow the rules for caring for blinds, carefully select detergents for washing and wash carefully so as not to damage the slats.

Removing heavy dirt and stains

Before washing, each fabric strip of blinds must be carefully inspected for stains.

Very strong stains and stubborn stains can be removed using the following methods:

Ammonia refreshes and removes stains. It is necessary to dilute a bottle of ammonia in 10 liters of water and soak the fabric slats in the resulting solution. If necessary, especially dirty stains are wiped again with a sponge soaked in ammonia solution.
Citric acid is an effective remedy for removing stubborn tea or coffee stains. To work, dilute one sachet of citric acid powder in 10 liters of water, moisten a sponge in the resulting product and carefully wipe the stain on the slats.
Ammonia and baking soda will help remove old, stubborn ink stains. You need to mix baking soda (1 tablespoon) with ammonia to form a liquid slurry, apply the resulting product to a cloth and thoroughly wipe the stain on the fabric strip.
Vinegar is good for cleaning colored blinds. The vinegar solution will help remove stains while maintaining the brightness of the fabric slats. To work, you need to dilute 3 tablespoons in 10 liters of water. vinegar, soak fabric strips in the resulting solution. After half an hour, the lamellas are taken out, rinsed in clean water and hung out to dry.

How to remove vertical blinds for washing

Before you start washing, you need to disassemble the vertical blinds into fabric strips, and carefully remove each one from the hook without damaging the device. You need to act slowly, as the hooks break easily.

Procedure:

Unfold the slats until they open completely.
Disconnect the control chain at the bottom of the curtain and carefully remove the weights that are necessary to maintain the shape of the blinds.
Take the upper edge of each lamella with your fingers and pull it towards the cornice. Then turn it towards the long part of the slider until a characteristic click appears, which is a sign that the clamp has opened.
Remove the loops from the hooks.

Recommended reading: How to stretch a wool sweater that has shrunk after washing

You can clearly see how to properly remove vertical blinds for washing in the video at the end. To subsequently return the fabric strips to their place, you should carry out all the steps in the reverse order.

Important! After removal, it is not recommended to wrap the slats in rolls that are too tight, as this will make cleaning difficult and may lead to their deformation.

How to dry?

Proper drying is a guarantee that the fabric slats of vertical blinds will retain their shape and color after washing.

Basic recommendations:

Immediately after washing, the slats must be hung out to dry (delay can cause creases and folds to appear, which are very difficult to get rid of).
Dry the fabric strips in the fresh air in a well-ventilated place. The slats are fixed to the rope with clothespins using a plastic fastener, preventing the strip from bending.
It is strictly forbidden to dry the lamellas on heating devices or near an open fire. A sudden change in temperature can cause deformation of the product.

If it is raining, windy, or snowing outside, dry the washed vertical blinds indoors as follows:

Immediately after washing, the fabric strips are laid out on a horizontal surface to drain the water.
Wet slats are hung on the eaves. A weighting plate must be fixed in each strip. This way you can avoid problems with the canvas shrinking, the formation of creases and folds on it.

Until the blinds are dry, you cannot open the windows indoors (dust from the street may stick to the still damp fabric).

Features of the effect on lamellas made of jacquard and cotton

It is highly not recommended to run such elements in a washing machine; even traditional hand washing may be too aggressive for them. Despite the fact that cotton is not a delicate fabric, after processing in the machine it can shrink a lot and it will no longer be possible to pull out the slats.

To wash such capricious materials, each element will have to be rolled separately. Place them in a linen bag or laundry container and soak them in a warm solution made from mild laundry detergent or liquid concentrate.
After half an hour in the detergent, the bags are removed, the elements are rinsed and inspected. If necessary, the approach is repeated. Rubbing jacquard and cotton is strictly prohibited. A special impregnation that repels dust is very quickly washed off from them, and they become like shapeless ribbons.
These materials are not ironed. They are immediately hung on the cornice; a weight must be attached to the bottom, otherwise the fabric will shrink. There is no need to use a hairdryer or other artificial heat sources on the blinds; they will dry quickly.

We recommend: How to properly wash viscose products so that it does not shrink?

If you really don’t want to wash vertical blinds regularly, then you should think about purchasing a steam cleaner. This is a universal product that, even at home, will help keep functional elements perfectly clean and will not affect their condition.

How to care?

Some care recommendations will help maintain the original appearance of vertical blinds

at least once a week, the fabric slats are cleaned of dust with a vacuum cleaner;
Read also: Which pillows are better to buy, with what filling for sleeping
once or twice a month, wipe the fabric strips with a sponge soaked in antistatic agent;
It is necessary to wash fabric slats as rarely as possible, this will extend their service life;
small spots can be removed locally without soaking the entire fabric strip;
If you have the slightest doubt about the advisability of home cleaning, your own strengths and knowledge, it is better to entrust vertical fabric blinds to the experienced hands of dry cleaning professionals.

Adviсe

Important Recommendations:

Before washing, it would be a good idea to check whether the fabric from which the slats are made is not fading.
Vertical blinds cannot be washed with clothes or bedding.
It is strictly forbidden to use automatic drying or iron fabric strips (high temperature deforms the fabric and destroys the top protective layer).
It is prohibited to use chlorine-containing products or stain removers to clean fabric slats.
Instead of liquid detergent, you can use shavings of laundry soap to wash vertical blinds.
When choosing a liquid detergent, be sure to take into account the color of the lamellas. For colored stripes, use only powder for colored fabrics, and for light-colored blinds, use only powder for white fabrics.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.

How to wash blinds at home?

You can wash vertical blinds at home by hand or in a washing machine. When choosing a method for cleaning the slats, you should carefully study the instructions for their use. Synthetic materials can be machine washed without any consequences. Some models made of natural fabric cannot be subjected to strong mechanical stress. After being in the drum, they may lose color and shape, stretch out or shrink.

In all cases, to prevent complications, you should choose the most gentle washing mode.

In a machine

When washing blinds in an automatic machine, you need to use a special mesh that protects the product from stretching.

The procedure is as follows:

Disassemble the structure and carefully lay out the strips on a flat surface.
Roll the sheets into rolls. This should be done so that there are gaps between the turns for access of the detergent. Plastic crosses for laying tiles can be used as spacers. Twisted rolls are tightened with an elastic band. The load does not need to be removed, since its absence does not affect the quality of washing.
Pack the rolled strips into a net and place it in the drum. Load detergent appropriate for fabric type. Turn on the machine in “hand wash” mode. The spin program must be cancelled.
After draining the water, take out the mesh, place it in a basin and wait until the water drains from the blinds. Do not wring out or shake the canvas.
Hang the slats in a shaded place on clothespins or directly on the curtain rod holders. The windows should be closed to prevent dust from falling on the wet cloth. To ensure that the strips take an even shape, additional weights of 300-500 g each can be hung from them.

It is not recommended to use an iron to remove wrinkles. It is better to eliminate this defect with the help of heavy oppression.

Manually

Hand washing of slats is more delicate than machine washing and is suitable for all types of blinds.

Fabric blinds should be washed by hand in compliance with the following rules:

The temperature of the water with the detergent diluted in it should be within +30...40°C. It is advisable to use liquid products that do not leave stains.
The canvases are soaked in the solution for 35-40 minutes. They can be in a curled or unfolded state, if there is a container of the right size for this. The fabric must be completely immersed in the liquid.
At the end of the control time, the strips are removed to check the quality of the result achieved. If dirt remains on the surfaces, soaking is extended for another 20-30 minutes.
The most stubborn stains should be struck by hand. To do this, use a soft sponge soaked in a concentrated detergent solution.
After cleaning, the strips are rinsed with clean cold water. After it has drained, the products are hung to dry in a dark and warm place.

It is not recommended to use brushes or abrasives to remove dirt.

Detergents for washing vertical blinds

Before washing your blinds, you should study the manufacturer's recommendations on how to clean them from dirt of various types and sizes. After this, you can purchase detergent or use liquids that are available on the farm.

There are the following options for washing fabric slats:

Factory stain removers. You need to choose powders or gels designed for delicate fabrics. Do not use substances that contain chlorine.
Dishwashing liquid. Excellent for removing fat deposits, tobacco tar and old dust.
Liquid laundry detergents. Designed to remove all types of contaminants. Depending on the chosen washing method, liquids for hand or machine washing are purchased.
Ammonia. Used to remove stains from ballpoint pens, felt-tip pens and markers. Strokes are removed with a soft sponge soaked in solution.
Lemon juice. Quickly and without consequences for the material erases traces of tea and coffee. Before using on colored canvases, it is recommended to test the reaction of pigments to citric acid on an inconspicuous area of the canvas.