Keeping Your Pleated Blinds Clean

Cleaning blinds, wooden shutters or any type of window coverings is a task that no one likes to conquer. However, on occasion, it must be done. If you have never cleaned your pleated blinds, you may be wondering what is the best way to do it without harming them?

The best tip is to take a look at what the manufacturer of your pleated blinds recommends.  If for whatever reason, those directions are not available to you; you need to follow a few tips before cleaning them.

If it is only dust that needs to be cleaned off, a quick trip over them with a vacuum wand should get rid of the dust. Often times, the dust leaves dirt behind, and getting this clean will take a little more effort. Almost never should you attempt to use chemicals to clean your fabric or pleated shades. This is because if the whole thing is not wet consistently, it can cause discoloration and water spots on your blinds. Once those are there, it will become difficult to get your shades back into the shape they were in prior. Soaking them in water can also cause damage to them in the form of water damage or they may become permanently misshaped.

Try to take a damp cloth to the dirty areas or spots. This usually will do the trick for getting off dust dirt.  Always allow your pleated blinds to air dry naturally. Heat should never be applied to attempt to get them dry. Spraying them with fabric freshener may be okay, as most of the fabric refreshers are specifically made to spray on fabrics. It is always wise to so an inconspicuous test spot before attempting any cleaning method, including just water. This will allow you to see if your fabric is sensitive to getting watermarks.

This should not have to be done to often, but it all depends on the conditions you live; dirt roads, busy highways, and country living will typically make your pleated blinds need cleaning more often.