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Window blinds are a popular way to keep the sun out, or let it shine in through the windows of your home! And, why not? They are affordable, they come in decorative colors, and they are easy to install.
And when it comes to cleaning window blinds, that process is fairly easy too, as long as you know how to do it.
Window blinds are either made of aluminum, plastic, or wood. All three materials can be cleaned with an ordinary vacuum cleaner that has a hose and attachments. To do this, you'll need to close the blinds completely. Then, place a brush attachment onto the end of the the vacuum cleaner hose. Slowly run the brush horizontally across the slats from side to side. Then, work your way down until you have completely swept the entire blind. Don't forget to reach up and sweep the header too!
To sweep the dust and dirt off the other side, simply open the blinds so the slats are parallel to one another. Then, repeat the process by using the vacuum cleaner.
If the window blinds are lightly soiled, then they'll need more than just swept off. If you have aluminum window blinds, you'll need to use a bucket of warm water, an old, soft rag, and a mild, multipurpose detergent. Close the blinds so the slats are flat. Then, carefully wipe them off with the rag. You have to be careful not to bend the thin aluminum slats.
Then, to clean the other side, you can remove them from the header. Have an assistant hold the window blinds while you carefully wipe them off. Or, you can open the blinds so the slats are parallel to one another. Then, use your rag to gently wipe the dirt off of each one.
Finally, hang them back up and allow them to air dry.
Window blinds that have plastic slats can be cleaned in the same manner as the aluminum ones.
If they are heavily soiled, you'll need to close the slats of the blinds. Then, take the blinds down from the windows and place them in a bath tub. Add a mild, multipurpose cleaner to the bath tub, then fill it full of enough warm water so the blinds are just covered. Allow them to soak in the cleaner for several minutes. Then, use a soft rag to gently clean off each slat.
After you have cleaned one side, flip the blinds over and repeat the process.
Finally, hold the blinds up and rinse the slats off thoroughly with cool, clean water. Hang the blinds over a shower bar or rail and allow them to dry until they no longer drip. Then, hang them back up in the windows. Open the slats so they can thoroughly dry.
If you have wood blinds covering your windows, they'll need special care. You should never wash them with detergent and water. Instead, use a soft rag sprayed with a good quality furniture polish. Wipe each slat clean as described above. The polish will not only clean the wood, but it will also help to repel dust and dirt from getting on them again!
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