Indoor roller blinds are one of the most popular styles of blinds – modern, affordable and incredibly easy to operate. However, as with any blind, over time they accumulate dust and debris as well as some more unpleasant things like mould and even insects. But, with no nooks or crannies harbouring the nasty stuff, keeping your roller blinds clean is easy!
Cleaning your indoor blinds takes as little as five minutes every couple of weeks with the odd deep-clean. Here, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of how to clean roller blinds so you’re prepared for every situation.
How to clean roller blinds quickly
Often you don’t have time to remove your blinds from the wall and give them a thorough clean. Here’s how you can quickly clean your roller blinds without the hassle.
What you’ll need:
- Vacuum/duster
- Warm water
- Gentle detergent/cleaner
- Cloth
Time required: 5 minutes
- Roll your roller blind down completely.
- Use a vacuum or a duster to remove the majority of dust from the blind.
- Fill a bucket with warm water and a gentle detergent or cleaner.
- Use a cloth to wipe a small section of the blind with the cleaning solution to test that it won’t damage the blind.
- Wipe this solution over the front and back of the blind with the cloth.
- Leave the roller blind down until it has fully dried. This time can vary depending on the material of the blind as well as the weather. Rolling it up before it has dried can lead to mould growth.
This method is great for the ongoing upkeep of your blinds in between more thorough cleans. You can clean them this way as often as you feel necessary, but generally once or twice a month will do the job.
How to deep clean your roller blinds
To get the most out of your indoor roller blinds, you need to give them a deep clean now and then. Here’s how:
What you need:
- Vacuum/duster
- Warm water
- Gentle detergent/cleaner
- Cloth
- Bath tub/large container
Time required: 1-3 hours, more if necessary
- Remove your blinds from the bracket. You’ll find the brackets on each end of your roller blind. One of these will have a cover that you can open which will allow you to lift the blind off the wall. Your blinds should come with an instruction manual that will explain this in detail or you can contact the manufacturer.
- Unravel the blind slightly so that it is not tightly wrapped.
- Place the blind into a bathtub or large enough container and fill it with warm water and a gentle detergent. Be sure to patch test this detergent before you commit to deep cleaning with it.
- Leave the blind to soak for one to three hours. For especially dirty blinds, you can leave it overnight.
- Examine the blinds after soaking. If any stains or marks remain try to rub them away with a cloth. You might need a more targeted strategy if this isn’t effective.
- Empty the bath and rinse the blind with fresh, clean water. Thoroughly rinse it to ensure there’s no leftover detergent residue.
- Fully extend the blind and lay it out to dry on a drying rack.
- Once fully dry, remount the blind to the wall.
We’d recommend giving them a thorough clean every six to twelve months to keep your blinds in top condition.
How to remove stains and marks from fabric blinds
A deep clean is a great way to give your blinds a thorough wash but fabric roller blind owners know this won’t always do the trick for removing stubborn stains. You need a targeted method of spot cleaning. This method is best used before you deep clean your blinds and can be done while the blinds are still mounted to the wall.
What you need:
- Stain remover
- Cloth
- Warm water
Time required: 5-10 minutes
- Patch test the stain remover on a small section of your blind. Do not use this stain remover if it damages or bleaches.
- Use the stain remover on the stain or mark in question as per the instructions on the bottle.
- Use a damp cloth to rinse out the stain remover as best you can. It will be challenging to fully remove it with a damp cloth alone – it will need a deeper clean.
- Give your blinds a deep clean as outlined in the instructions above.
It’s important to completely rinse the stain remover from your blinds. These products are not designed to be left on fabric for long periods and can cause damage. Combining this method with the deep cleaning method will not only ensure all the stain remover is washed away but also leave your blinds totally spotless.
How to clean mould off roller blinds
You might find mould or mildew growing on your roller blinds occasionally. This can happen when moisture and heat are in the air. The mould will not only leave unsightly marks on your blinds, but can also have a negative effect on your health.
Thankfully, cleaning mould off roller blinds is a simple task.
What you need:
- Vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Warm water
- Cloth
Time needed: 1 hour
- Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar.
- Saturate the affected area with the mould with the vinegar.
- Leave this for one hour.
- Rinse the area with warm water and a cloth to remove any residue.
This is a great step to add before giving your blinds a deep clean to ensure they’re sparkling clean after.
Can you steam clean roller blinds?
Yes and no! You can steam clean roller blinds depending on what material they’re made from.
Most vinyl roller blinds or those made with cheap fabric can be susceptible to warping and so steam cleaning is not recommended. This is why it’s important to test a small, hidden area first before using a steam cleaner on your entire blind.
You can find out what kind of material your blinds are made of from the manufacturer or by just by feeling it. Vinyl blinds are plastic and so will be less flexible than a fabric blind.
Steam cleaning your roller blinds is an easy and effective way to clean them. It’s more than a quick wipe them down but less time-intensive than deep cleaning. Here’s how you can steam clean your roller blinds:
What you need:
- Steam cleaner
- Steam cleaner brush attachment
- Water
- Cloth
Time required: 20-30 minutes
- Set up your steam cleaner as per the instructions. Allow time for it to heat up.
- Unroll the blind fully, unmount it from the wall and lay it out on a flat surface.
- Test the steam cleaner on a small, hidden section of your blind. If any warping or damage occurs, do not continue using the steam cleaner. The trick here is to not leave the steam in one place for too long. This is where it can get too hot and cause warping.
- Using the brush attachment, run the steam cleaner side to side starting at the top of the blind and working your way to the bottom. The brush will collect any dust that might be there.
- Flip the blind over and repeat on the other side.
- Remount the blind to the wall.
- Wipe down the blind with a cloth to remove any leftover dust or debris.
- Leave the blind fully unrolled if there is any remaining dampness. Only roll it back up when it is fully dry.
If your blinds are older or your windows are in need of an upgrade, speak to our expert team to discover our range of low-maintenance window treatments. Jim’s Blinds and Shutters can provide tailored options to suit your home. Contact us for a free measure and quote.
