Up next in Windows & Window Treatments (15 videos)
Jazz up any room in your home with a little window dressing.
You Will Need
- A dust cloth or a vacuum with a brush-head attachment
- Towels or a drop cloth
- A sponge or cleaning brush
- All-purpose cleaner or ammonia
- Fabric-softener sheets
Steps
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Step 1
Get the dust off
Begin by removing loose dirt and dust with either a soft cloth or a vacuum with a brush-head attachment. Clean with the slats tilted upward first, then downward.
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Regular fabric-softener sheets absorb dust just as well as cloths made specifically for that purpose.
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Step 2
Remove from the window
If your blinds are plastic, vinyl, or aluminum -- not wood -- remove them from the window for washing.
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Wood blinds should never get wet; just dust them regularly. Only use a wood cleaner if the manufacturer says it’s safe.
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Step 3
Take it outside
If you have a yard, take the blinds outside. If you don’t, put them in the bathtub.
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Step 4
Wash them
Wash each slat with a sponge or brush. Don’t forget to wash the cords!
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If you’re outdoors, use a water-filled bucket containing a half cup of ammonia. If you’re using your tub, a mild detergent works best. Never use hot water on plastic blinds; it could cause them to warp.
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Step 5
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the blinds thoroughly, then hang them on a clothesline or shower rod.
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Step 6
Wipe them down
When they’re completely dry, wipe the blinds with a fabric-softener sheet. It will help prevent dust from clinging to them, so they’ll stay cleaner longer.
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Thirty-one percent of homeowners say that cleaning window treatments is their least favorite cleaning job, according to a survey.
