I detest cleaning blinds - help

[Tellera]

We have the blinds that were in the house when we bought it (horizontal). They are the flimsy aluminum kind. I hate cleaning them, but I also hate how awfully dusty they get. I am not sure how often I should be dealing with them.

Three questions, if you have these types of blinds:

1. What is your method of cleaning?
   
2. How often do you do all of them?
   
3. How long does it take you to do them all?

TIA!:

[jocelyndale]

The miniblinds, I just turn one way, dust with a lambswool duster, turn all the way the other direction, repeat. And I only dust them when I notice them.

The huge vertical blinds are a different story. If it weren't so wasteful, I think I'd just replace them when they get grungy. : As it is, I just dust with the duster or a microfiber cloth and think about washing them . . . someday.

[Lysa]

Fora heavy-duty cleaning, it's easiest to take them down and wash them in the tub or tub-like container. But be very careful with the old aluminum ones - they have sharper edges than you think.

I try to do this is nicer weather, when I can lay them on towels/blankets in the sun to dry, otherwise I have a mess to clean up from trying to let them drip dry inside.


For every day, then wiping with a damp cloth is my most frequent method.

[lil_earthmomma]

Cleaning blinds is one of my least favorite jobs, but since I learned this trick it`s much easier! :

Use a bounce sheet (or other fabric softener sheet) and rub the blinds as if dusting, but with slightly more pressure.

The dust is then repelled due to the unstatickyness properties of the sheets. I only have to do this like... 2 or 3 times a year.

HTH!

[luv-my-boys]

Originally Posted by Tellera

1. What is your method of cleaning?
   
2. How often do you do all of them?
   
3. How long does it take you to do them all?

TIA!:

I bought a vacuum attachement type brush that is specifically made for vertical blinds. I close the blinds and use it on one side and then reverse the blinds and do the other side.

I vacuum them when I remember but at least 1 a month per window. I dont like dust building up on them.

At least every 6 months a take a wipe cloth and clean them completely.

The blinds in this house were HORRIBLE when we moved in. I ended up filling the tub with vinegar and the hottest water I could. Soaked until the water was cold and scrubbed them. Vinegar did the trick they were squeaky clean and the thread on them was cleaned as well.

[soccermama]

Originally Posted by jocelyndale

The miniblinds, I just turn one way, dust with a lambswool duster, turn all the way the other direction, repeat. And I only dust them when I notice them.

The huge vertical blinds are a different story. If it weren't so wasteful, I think I'd just replace them when they get grungy. : As it is, I just dust with the duster or a microfiber cloth and think about washing them . . . someday.

We have wood mini blinds. We just bought them and installed them in the kitchen and dining room. Love them, but they collect dust like crazy! I like your method, jocelyndale, of cleaning the blinds. I'll have to give that a try myself!

[Think of Winter]

I've never done all of mine at once (we have at least 21.) I do them as I notice them (like when company's coming. I usually just wipe them with a microfiber cloth, but if the dirt doesn't come off easily, I'd mist them first with my diluted Dr. Bronners.

[Tellera]

Thanks guys! When it gets warm I'm going to do them all in the tub, thanks for that advice!

I now use a damp cloth to do a wet clean on each slat top and bottom, while the blinds are open. I used to do them closed one side, then the other, but I couldn't get all the dust off on the overlapping spots.

I was thinking about a feather duster so that I could get more done faster when doing a dry dust on each slat when they are open. But I need something that really takes the dust off. We don't have fabric sheets here, but I might try that. For dry dusting, I've been using a swiffer duster, but the dust seems to just cling after while.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and I was thinking of wood whenever we replaced, but that now makes me nervous, lol.

[columbusmomma]

I've used the bathtub but prefer hanging them over a fence outside,washing with soap and water on a cloth, and spraying them down really well with the hose. Then let them air dry on the fence. I can't wait for spring cleaning! I kinda ignore them in the winter! I never use dryer sheets but they may be worth buying as PP suggested using!

[DaughterOfKali]

I use unscented baby wipes (you can rinse them out and reuse them for the job, if you want).