Roller blinds are very easy to clean. You don’t have to spend hours getting dirt out of each individual slat as you do with Venetian blinds. You don’t even have to take them down like you do with curtains. You just have to roll them out so you can access the whole blind.
For a regular clean, just use your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery tool. This will get rid of everyday grime. You may even be able to give your roller blinds a deeper clean without taking them down by using a steam cleaner. This will depend on the fabric, but it’s often possible, especially with roller blinds designed for use in high-traffic areas.
If you want to give your roller blind a really deep clean, then it’s usually best to take them down. Generally, roller blinds will come up like new if you just give them a thorough wipe down with plain hot water. Wear gloves to protect your hands so you can have the water as hot as possible. Then wipe down your blinds from top to bottom. Make sure they are completely dry before you put them back up.
Some roller blinds can be soaked in water with either regular laundry detergent or washing up liquid and some can be put in the washing machine. That’s not guaranteed though, so be sure to check the care instructions for your roller blinds before you try either of these options. Again, make sure that your blinds are completely dry before you put them back up.
How to remove roller blind stains
There are basically two ways to remove roller blind stains. One is to use a product designed to treat the stain and the other is to use a product designed to treat fabric. If you know what the stain is, then it’s usually best to try a stain-specific cleaning product first. If you don’t, or if you don’t want to buy a product just to treat one stain, then a normal fabric-cleaning product will usually be fine.
If you have a choice of products, always start with the gentlest one first. Gentler cleaning products are less likely to damage the fabric of your roller blind. If you do wind up having to use a harsher cleaning product then you may find that the stain is replaced by a lighter patch of colour. You may be able to treat this with dye.
Remember to make sure that the roller blind is completely dry before you hang it back up or it may get attacked by mould.
How to remove mould from roller blinds
How you go about cleaning mould from roller blinds essentially depends on how much mould there is. If there are just a few spots here and there, then it may be enough just to use a mould-removing cleaning product. If the mould is in patches rather than spots, put on a mask and try either a mould-removing cleaning product or a stiff brush (or both).
If the mould is really bad, then, realistically, your only option is to have the roller blind professionally dry cleaned. You will need to make sure that the dry cleaner is capable of handling the task rather than just set up to deal with delicate clothes.
Keep in mind that mould is generally the result of condensation. If you know a room is going to have a lot of condensation (e.g. bathrooms and kitchens), it can be worth investing in mould-proof roller blinds. Even with these, it’s still advisable to pay attention to good ventilation.
Tips for cleaning roller blinds
The top tip for cleaning roller blinds is to choose the right roller blind for the right space. In particular, if you want to use roller blinds in bathrooms and kitchens, then it’s best to choose roller blinds made of high-performance, wipe-clean, mould-resistant fabric.
Roll down your blinds regularly, even if you don’t need to. Use this as an opportunity to check what sort of condition they’re in. The quicker you spot issues like stains and mould, the easier it usually is to treat them.
Any time your blind gets wet, either because you’ve cleaned it or from rain (or spills), make sure it’s completely dry before you roll it up. Otherwise, you could end up swapping a stain for mould.
If your roller blind picks up smells, e.g. from your kitchen, then regular deodorant or a deodorizing air freshener will usually do the trick. Regular air freshener won’t because it just masks smells rather than actually dealing with them.
Remember to clean your sidewinder (the bit that moves the roller blind up and down). If you don’t, then dirt may clog up the mechanism. If you feel that your roller blind doesn’t move as smoothly as it should, or it’s noisy, then try cleaning the sidewinder. If this doesn’t work, try using a silicone spray, but be careful to avoid getting any of this on your roller blind’s fabric.
For more information about different types of blinds get in touch with Art Blinds today for a free no-obligation quote.
