As an integral decorative and functional component of your home, window fabric blinds work hard to filter light, insulate rooms properly, and maintain privacy day after day. But the very nature of their positioning leaves fabric blinds and cloth blinds susceptible to dust, dirt, stains, and general wear from constant use. Failure to regularly clean accumulated debris from your blinds compromises both aesthetics and performance over time.
By learning how to thoroughly clean fabric window blinds and cloth blinds throughout your home on your own, you can revive their rich colors and maintain crisp blind function while saving on expensive professional cleaning costs. This comprehensive DIY cleaning guide will outline step-by-step blind removal, recommended cleaning solutions, proper hand washing techniques, drying methods, and rehanging best practices tailored to fabric blind materials. Let’s restore your window blinds back to their vibrant glory!
Evaluating Your Fabric Blind Type, Soiling Levels, and Installation Needs
Fabric blinds come available in a range of materials like vinyl, bamboo, cotton, linen as well as synthetic or natural woven blinds. The configuration, size, privacy features, and hardware can also vary extensively based on things like inside versus outside mounts. All of these factors inform the ideal cleaning approach and removal requirements.
Before getting started, assess the key details of your specific blind:
- Blind Fabric Materials and Features
Inspect original packaging or spec guides to identify the exact makeup of your clothing blinds. Natural woven wood vs coated synthetics have particular care requirements. Note specialty features like blackouts or textured fabrics. Evaluate places where dust and debris may collect like slats, folds and corners.
- Assess Soiling and Problem Areas
Check all fabric blind surfaces for staining, soot marks, water spots, signs of mold/mildew, and scratches or abrasions in the material. Peel back slats and run your hand along edges and crevices, checking for clumped dust and embedded grime. Heavily soiled areas need extra cleaning focus.
- Determine Mounting and Removal Needs
Inside mount blinds nestled within window openings often have minimal hardware, making them simpler to fully take down. Outside mounts have anchors, supports and installation brackets that must be properly removed. Identify your specific hardware and any tools needed to fully detach your fabric blinds without causing harm.
- Gather Cleaning Solutions and Materials
To complete your full blind assessment, compile all necessary cleaning supplies for safely washing fabric window blinds:
- Mild laundry detergent or gentle dish soap
- White distilled vinegar
- Clean lint-free clothes
- Soft-bristle hand blinds brush
- Two buckets to wash and rinse
- Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide (for stubborn stains)
- Blind hardware tools like screwdrivers, label maker
Cleaning Tips With Fabric Blind Material
Specific blind materials also inform what cleaning solutions to use. Here are handy fabric blind cleaning tips:
- Vinyl/PVC – Diluted vinegar disinfects and deodorizes without harming vinyls. Rinse well.
- Bamboo - Dish soap and water work well. Avoid alcohol that dries materials.
- Wood/Faux Woods – Rubbing alcohol tackles dirt while avoiding over-wetting wood veneers which can warp.
- Aluminum – Spray cleaners dissolve accumulated dust and gunk on metal slats. Rinse thoroughly.
- Cotton - Bleach solutions fade dyes over time. Use color-safe oxygen cleaners instead.
- Linen – Gentle club soda baths lift stains without excessive moisture exposure.
Safely Taking Down Fabric Blinds for Cleaning Access
For the most effective fabric blind cleaning access, completely removing them is best. This allows for comfortable hand washing and air drying opportunities compared to cleaning in place. Follow your specific hardware guides for properly taking down cloth blinds.
- Inside Mount Fabric Blind Removal
For blinds nested within window openings, look for tension rods, sliding panels or end cap connectors. Carefully slide out rods or use a screwdriver to detach cap hardware to fully take down fabric blinds. Keep all the pieces grouped together for easy reassembly.
- Outside Mount Fabric Blind Removal
These window treatments anchor into frames and walls, making removal more complex. Use the appropriate screwdriver head to detach brackets securing them. Some employ quick release tabs. Label pieces carefully as you fully take down cloth blinds, including noting which windows had which blind configurations.
- Safely Set Up Cleaning and Drying Stations
Clear ample floor space for washing stations. Use a plastic drop cloth to catch drips and spills during the cleaning process. Set up a stepladder or extended grabber tool to comfortably reach all blind surfaces while washing. Have window fans and portable dryers ready to dry. Carefully set taken down fabric blinds atop the drop cloths.
- Prepping Fabric Blind Materials for Deep Cleaning
Before fully submerging fabric blinds for intensive washing, do a small test spot check. Use a quarter-sized amount of your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the blind fabric. Look for any discoloration or damage reaction within 1-2 minutes then rinse clean. If no issues arise, prepare blinds for washing, including:
- Vacuuming excess dust with a soft brush attachment.
- Separating slats or battens if heavily soiled for individual cleaning. Mark their positions using painters tape.
- Spritzing stains with diluted stain remover like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. Let's set for 10-15 minutes to penetrate.
Hand Washing Fabric Window Blinds Thoroughly
With prep work done, create your cleaning solution. In a five-gallon bucket, add:
- 8 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons gentle laundry detergent
- 1⁄4 cup distilled white vinegar
Add the taken down fabric blind pieces to fully submerge, allowing them to soak for 25-30 minutes. For cloth blinds, periodically slosh water through the fabric to penetrate deeply. After adequate soaking time, move each fabric blind section to a second rinse bucket filled with warm clean water.
Rinsing, Scrubbing and Spot Cleaning Techniques
Gently press water through submerged cloth blinds to rinse away dirt. Use a soft lint-free cloth to wipe light soils or wash with soft circular motions. Avoid rubbing that could damage blind fabrics. Utilize a specialized blind cleaning brush to dislodge debris stuck in corners.
If stains or problem areas remain after generously rinsing, try one of these approaches:
- Lightly rub liquid dish soap into the spot using a soft toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly.
- Dab diluted vinegar using a sea sponge in a blotting motion to lift stains.
- For tougher grease stains, sprinkle baking soda then spray with hydrogen peroxide. Let bubble then wipe clean.
Repeat the rinsing and spot cleaning process until no dirt or blind cleaning solution remains and the rinse water runs clear. Harsh scrubbing can harm blind fabric integrity, so blend patience with gentle persistence removing all residues.
Rinsing Away All Blind Cleaning Solution Residues
Once the fabric blind looks impressively cleaner, give it a final thorough rinse dip back into the second bucket. Allow fabric blinds to soak for 10-15 minutes, periodically squeezing water through the material. Retrieve and gently press out any excess moisture by rolling the fabric into an absorbent cleaning towel. Next, move onto proper drying steps before rehanging your refreshed cloth blinds.
Allowing Ample Drying Time for Fabric Blinds
Improper drying can lead to mildew risks or premature breakdown of blind materials. Follow these guidelines tailored to fabric types:
1. Air Dry Fabric Blinds
- Drape rinsed vinyl and synthetics over a plastic hanger, pole or rack to gravity drip dry.
- Lay soaked cotton and bamboo blinds flat atop clean towels to wick moisture. Flip periodically.
2. Sun Dry Fabric Blinds
- Carefully hang rinsed natural fiber blinds in direct sunlight to avoid peak heat times that may damage delicate fabrics.
3. Bring Indoors Before Nightfall
- Sun drying prevents potentially harmful UV ray damage to blinds overnight so take indoors by dusk.
4. No Machine Drying
- Excess heat from dryers can lead to cracks, tears or warped surfaces. Line dry only.
5. Check Fully Dryness
- Inspect closely for any remaining damp spots breeding mold/mildew before rehanging fabric blinds.
Reattaching Cleaned Fabric Window Blinds Securely
Once confident in complete fabric blind dryness, refer back to your original hardware guide for proper reinstallation. Whether inside mount or outside mount, carefully realign each section to recreate your exact previous window configuration and aesthetic. Confirm smooth operation, adjust tension rods and support as needed. Your refreshed fabric window and cloth blinds will once again filter light attractively.
Considerations When Fully Removing Older Fabric Blinds for Cleaning
Especially for older blinds with more delicate connections and aging hardware, the removal and rehanging process poses risks. Assess these considerations before fully taking down cloth blinds:
- Inspect Hardware Integrity
Check for cracks, loose connections or damage that may destabilize components during handling. Fragile systems may need replacements before attempting removal. Consult manufacturers for compatibility.
- Have Backup Mounting Options Available
If a key piece does become damaged during cleaning, have replacement brackets, rods or other specialty hardware around to avoid useless blinds post cleaning.
- Improper Blind Reinstallation Compromise Performance
Using backward connectors, over-tightening tension rods, misaligning sections or forcing ill-fitting parts drastically lessen effectiveness around light filtering, insulation, and view coverage.
When to Call in Blind Cleaning Professionals
While DIY blind cleaning proves cost-effective long-term, some scenarios do warrant calling in the pros such as:
- Hard-to-Access Windows
Multi-story homes with challenging second floor or skylight fabric blinds should get expert handling, specialized equipment and insured safety training. Don’t risk falling injuries or broken goods.
- Problematic Stain Removal
For grease splatters, adhesives or mystery stains that DIY approaches can’t tackle fully, a pro-grade steaming unit, commercial solvents and technique may lift the mess.
- Operational Issues Post Cleaning
No matter what you try, if the blind still jerks, gaps, doesn’t raise/lower evenly or function poorly after cleaning, a technician can properly realign, adjust hardware or determine if a replacement is needed.
When It’s Time to Upgrade Your Fabric Window Blinds
No matter how much diligent cleaning you dedicate to extending the life of well-functioning window treatments, normal wear and tear still takes a toll over 5-10 years of use. Sun fading, daily use abrasions, accumulated dust residue in fabrics and the like eventually compromise performance. If cleaning efforts no longer return them to vibrant as-new condition, shopping replacement fabric blinds proves the wise long term investment.
Seek out quality blind materials resistant to future dirt, allergens and moisture damage. Look for improved privacy features, child-safe operating systems and specialized light filtering advancements in the latest blind offerings. Consider incorporating smart home automation capabilities as well for app-controlled convenience adjustment settings.
Replacement fabric blinds no longer mean settling for one-size-fits-all big box offerings. Custom blind fabrication using 3D imaging and exact window measurements based on your unique architecture ensures flawless fit, feature personalization and design aligned with your vision.
When replacing existing treatments with new upscale custom-quality fabric blinds for your home, including zebra blinds, roller blinds, vertical blinds or cellular shades, trust the blind replacement experts at i9 Blinds serving North Atlanta regions. For almost a decade, our skilled team has specialized in precision fittings, tailored design consultations, responsive installations and hand-crafted window blinds to suit any budget. Contact i9 Blinds today to schedule your free estimate including exact measurements and streamlined ordering of craftsman-made fabric blinds purpose-built to revitalize your home’s aesthetic as a stunning focal point for years of lasting beauty and hassle-free function.