How to wash Vertical blinds in the washing machine

Vertical blinds make your space an ideal home. They block excess outside light to ensure the surroundings remain cool and relaxing. When it comes to keeping the curious eyes at bay the blackout vertical blinds never fail you. But these are not the only reasons why people love them so much. 

Vertical blinds are one of the easiest blinds to maintain. Wondering why? Well, this is because they have long slats that run up and down. So unlike horizontal surfaces, they don’t allow excessive dirt, dust, and stains to sit on them easily. Basic cleaning, smooth operation, and less dust in your own home, what more could one ask for?

That being said, they are not completely immune to dust and dirt. But the effort of regular maintenance to keep them clean is significantly less. What’s even better is many of them are machine washable, meaning more less work for the owners. However, we do understand that there are several first-timers out there. And having the fear of damaging them is normal. But if you know the basics of how to wash vertical blinds in the washing machine, it will simplify the task for you. So, here’s a guide that you can trust for a successful first attempt.

Can You Put Fabric Vertical Blinds In The Washing Machine?

Yes, vertical blinds made of fabrics can be washed in the washing machine. But there is no harm in being a little extra cautious, right? So, instead of directly placing the blinds in the machine, add a layer of protection. All you need to do is roll the slats and place them inside a pillowcase or a cloth bag and then let your machine do its job. This will give you peace of mind as you do not have to constantly worry about your blinds getting snagged. You may also throw a few towels alongside the blinds if you want to go a notch higher as far as safety is concerned. 

Top Tip: Double check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. This is because they are written as per the specific set you own. Most of our fabric vertical blinds are washing machine friendly. So, if yours are from Blindstyle, you can take a sigh of relief.

Important Things To Know Before You Start

The pillowcase trick is a significant thing to remember. But there are a few more factors that require attention while washing your blinds in the washing machine. The most noteworthy point is to set the temperature to 30 degrees Celsius for warm water. You may find many recommending 40 degrees Celsius. But that may prove to be too hot and damage your vertical blinds. Therefore, going no higher than 30 degrees is always the safer route. 

Using mild detergent while washing your vertical blinds is another aspect worth mentioning. All varieties, be it the plain vertical blinds or the waterproof vertical blinds are quite tough and durable. But many commercial detergents contain harsh chemicals. They may discolour or harm the fabric. So, we recommend choosing a product that is specifically customised to be used on delicate fabrics. Start by checking the ingredient list. Most of the time that itself will give you a fair idea of which one to pick. Mild non-bio ones are usually the best. In some cases, something as simple as lemon juice can spot clean your vertical blinds.

Key Steps To Cleaning Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are easygoing blinds that can be cleaned in a few simple steps. The entire process should not take you more than 2 hours. If you consider the drying time, it may stretch a little longer. But such deep cleaning is necessary every few months. So you can easily adjust them even in your busy schedule. 

Cleaning essentials required to clean vertical blinds

Arrange for all the cleaning supplies from before. Here’s what you will need:

• Microfiber cloths/ Feather duster
• Vacuum cleaner (one that has a brush attachment)
• Mild soap/ detergent
• A clean bathtub/ Washing machine (as per your preference)
• Sponge
• Pillowcase/ Fabric bag
• Towels
• A flat surface to dry the blinds (e.g. a dining table)

Now that all the supplies are gathered, time to start with the actual work. Here’s a step-by-step guide for you:

Take down the blinds and clean the headrail

Gentle dusting and spot cleaning do not require you to remove the blinds. But you need to take them down if you want to clean the headrail. Soaking all your vertical blinds in a tub altogether or using a washing machine is easier to do. In comparison, cleaning every individual slat when they are attached often takes more effort and precision.

When removing the blinds, unhook the slats from the headrail. Then lay them flat somewhere safe. After that, take your thick duster or any soft microfiber cloth and get rid of the dust from the headrail. Some portions might prove a bit more tricky for you. In that case, use a can of compressed air to get the work done. Spray the rail afterwards with a good-quality silicone spray to keep it smooth. 

Time for dusting

Take another clean microfiber cloth or a feather duster and clean the dust from your blind. But for more effectiveness, you may slightly dampen the cloth. This will pick up the dirt particles quickly. Swipe from top to bottom instead of random strokes to prevent spreading the marks over the areas you just cleaned. After that, round up the dusting part using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Set it on low speed and move from top to bottom to get rid of any remaining dust. 

Use lukewarm water to wash the vertical blinds

Now with no dust left, time to move on to the next part. For this, you have two options. One is to use your bathroom as the cleaning vessel for your blinds while the second option is to machine wash them.

If you use the bathtub method, make a sufficient amount of solution using your favoured detergent or soap and lukewarm water first. Then fill the tub with a mixture of soapy water. Soak the blinds into it and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After that, gently wash them until you are satisfied with the results. If some of the tough stains prove to be more stubborn than others, you may use a sponge to buff those marks. Please refrain from using boiling or hot water throughout the process. Also, try to control your temptation to use harsh bleaches to spot clean the stains.

For the washing machine wash, take the help of pillow covers and towels to keep the blinds protected. Refer to the technique mentioned in the fabric vertical blinds section. A 30-minute wash should be more than enough to remove all the marks from the blinds. Remember that the desired temperature is 30 degree Celsius. 

Top Tip: We have heard many people enquiring which of the two methods is most effective. Well, both of them are proven cleaning procedures that work. But if you do not have so much time to constantly monitor things, using a washing machine will be the ideal choice. 

Let the blinds dry naturally

Once you are done with the washing, you should completely dry the blinds before reattaching them. For that, lay them in a clean flat space and allow the water to naturally evaporate from them. Make sure that they maintain their usual structure to avoid damage. If you are running short on time, you may use a hair dryer to quicken the drying process. Set it in cool mode and blow over the blinds. 

Hang the blinds back 

With the cleaning over, take the blinds and carefully hang them again on the headrail. Adjust each of the slats back in its place. Now that the blinds are refreshed and have returned back to their duties, time for you to relax and enjoy their benefits. 

Final Thoughts

Our vertical blinds do not require you to deep clean with stain remover for those stubborn stains. All it needs is some regular cleaning with either a soft brush or a damp cloth every week. This can keep them as good as new for a long time. As far as deep cleaning goes, 2-3 times yearly will work just fine. 

However, your kitchen blinds and those located near the high-traffic areas in your home will be more vulnerable to dirt. So, they will require a harder wash setting for stain removal. But, with vertical blinds being easy to clean in general, they won’t pose too much headache either.