Roller blinds are a sophisticated and contemporary window dressing solution for most homes and workplaces. Yet, with fabric roller blinds, most individuals don’t know where to begin with cleaning. Not only do these fashionable blinds shield your privacy and regulate sunlight, they will also attract dust, pollen, and even the odd grease splatter from the kitchen. Left uncleaned, your pristine blinds become a distant memory.
In this complete guide, you will discover how to clean fabric roller blinds easily, efficiently, and with low effort. You can use the guide for a regular dust-off or to remove tough stains. We will guide you through the most effective methods to revive your blinds and keep them clean.
Why It’s Important to Clean Fabric Roller Blinds
Let’s consider the “why” before we get into the “how.” Fabric roller blinds tend to be placed in high-traffic rooms such as living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. As time passes, they accumulate:
Dust and allergens
Cooking grease
Pet hair and dander
Mould or mildew if you live in a humid environment
Dirty blinds aren’t only aesthetically displeasing—they can exacerbate allergies, impact the air quality, and even reduce the lifespan of the material. This is why learning to clean fabric roller blinds is important for a hygienic and healthy home.
Improves air quality by reducing allergens.
Prevents discoloration and fabric degradation.
Maintains aesthetic value, making your interiors appear well maintained.
Extends the life of your roller blinds.
Light dusting keeps the dirt from embedding into the fabric weave. The technique goes as follows:
Put the blinds all the way down.
Use a microfiber cloth or a duster that goes with long strokes from top to bottom.
For heavier dust, vacuum with soft brush attachment instead.
Hint: Be gentle! Pressing hard can do more harm than good to fragile fabrics.
More often the stains are from spills—be it coffee, sauce, or ink; the sooner you intervene, the greater the possibility for a stain to be removed.
Blot the area with a clean, damp cloth (never rub).
Create a solution by mixing a very small amount of mild detergent with lukewarm water.
Gentle dabbing of the stain should then be done with a sponge or cloth.
Rinse the cleaned area with plain water by continuing to blot with a clean cloth.
Allow the blind to air-dry before pulling the roll back up.
Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals. They may weaken the fabric or cause discoloration.
There are not many fabric roller blinds capable of being removed, but your chance is there, if yours do.
Carefully remove the blind from the mounting bracket.
Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of gentle detergent.
Steam cleaning is the method of choice for delicate or expensive fabrics. It is a green method that is also quick and requires no detergent.
Hold the steam cleaner with a fabric-safe attachment in hand.
Maintain about an inch or two distance between the nozzle and the fabric.
Slowly move across the surface to dislodge grime and kill germs.
The blinds should be allowed to dry in air completely before rolling.
Always consult the manufacturer’s label application before applying heat.
Once you have cleaned your fabric roller blinds, prevent them from becoming dirty again.
Keep the windows closed during high pollen seasons.
Run an air purifier in highly dusty rooms or where pets exist.
Avoid the vicinity of the fabric blinds against stoves or in high humidity areas.
Clean window sills and frames that accumulate dust and somehow transfer it.
Maintenance will smoothen the cleaning process and prolong the life of your blinds.
Knowing how to clean fabric roller blinds is a must, but what not to do is just as vital. Some cleaning blunders can destroy the appearance and operation of your blinds. Here’s what not to do:
One of the most common mistakes in how to clean fabric roller blinds is submerging blinds that are not designed to be submerged. This would destroy the mechanism on the inside, promote mold growth, and result in sagging material.
Bleach, ammonia, and heavy-duty detergents can seem to do wonders, but they will ultimately weaken the material. If you are looking at how to clean fabric roller blinds safely, never use more than mild soap and warm water.
Hard scrubbing—particularly on sensitive fabric—may lead to fraying or stretching. Soft brushing and dabbing gently are preferable options when cleaning roller blinds.
After washing or spot-cleaning, make sure your fabric roller blinds are completely dry before rolling them back up.
Since you can clean fabric roller blinds, make sure you use this knowledge effectively. Provided they are cared for, absorbing their share of dust for a while, they will retain their charm for many years in your space.
Remember, a clean blind needs just as much prevention as the curing of a dirty one. Doing light maintenance in the course of your weekly chores can help you skip some of the heavier cleaning days.
If ever you’re in doubt respecting the cleaning instructions, check the manufacturer’s label or call out a professional to clean the blinds.
Dusting with a cloth should be done lightly every 2 to 3 weeks. Deep cleaning is recommended every 3 to 6 months or as and when necessary
Any mild detergent with warm water is suitable for mixing and cleaning most fabric roller blinds. Harsh chemicals, especially bleach, should simply never be used.
Not really advised for delicate fabric roller blinds because of the heat and moisture that tend to warp the material
Dip in a concentrated non-abrasive fabric cleaner, blot with a soft sponge. Do not rub hard to prevent damaging the surface.
Always clean one with the roller blinds completely rolled down to be able to reach the entire surface evenly.