It’s Wood Month here at Selectblinds.com, so we thought what better time for a little refresher on how to keep your wood, bamboo and woven wood blinds and shades looking like new without taking them down. Here are some cleaning tips I dusted off from our Technical Tip experts, along with a few other ideas picked up on Pinterest (#betterthangoogle).
- Dust you must! Starting from the top of the blind, tilt each slat individually 45-degrees, first one way and then the other, to easily knock the dust loose.
- Spray a soft feather duster, lint-free dusting cloth or mitt with a good quality furniture polish. Do not apply dusting or spray polish directly on the wood.
- Lightly wipe both sides of each slat. (You know that collection of single socks you’ve accumulated from the dryer? Stop waiting for their mates to show up – which is never gonna happen – and put them to good use. They can cut dusting time in half with a single swipe to clean both sides of the slat at the same time!)
- You can also make fast work of dusting by using the soft brush attachment on your vacuum. (Great for cleaning window sills at the same time!)
- Follow the same steps as above for your bamboo and woven wood shades, but be very gentle when wiping or sweeping across the surface. Be careful not to snag or pull the natural fibers so you don’t damage them.
General Cleaning Tips, Hints & Hacks
While we don’t recommend washing wood and woven wood products with water because of the potential damage it can cause, there may be times when excess dirt and grime make it necessary. If you’re faithful about regular dust ups, you should only need to wash them once or twice a year. Use a good quality wood soap and squeeze excess water from your cleaning cloth so it’s damp, not wet, before wiping.
To help protect them till their next bath time, mix 1 cup hot water and 2 TBS lemon oil. Using a clean, soft cloth, wring out excess water and lightly wipe the slats or surface of the shade. Another way to help repel dust and keep them cleaner longer is to wipe them down with a fabric softener sheet.
Keep Track of Slats
Ever get interrupted while dusting your blinds? Here’s a great idea to keep track of slats so you know where you were at. Pop a clothespin in your pocket when you’re cleaning. If you’re interrupted, pull it out and clamp it to the last slat you cleaned so when you get back, you’ll know exactly where you left off.
DIY Cleaning Tool
No need to pay big bucks for special blind cleaning tools! Make your own by simply attaching a couple of microfiber cloths to a pair of tongs with some clips or rubber bands. Dusting done without busting your budget!
Window Washing
Window cleaners are great on windows, but on blinds and shades? Not so good. When wiping windows, prevent possible damage to coverings by spraying the cleaner on a cloth or paper towel instead of directly onto the glass, and then wipe the window clean. This way, no harm, no foul to your blinds.
