As the task to clean fabric blinds comes around every so often, it is worthwhile to take some time to find out what the best methods are. Whether you clean your blinds every season or yearly, here at Blind Technique we have put together some top tips to make sure that your fabric blinds receive the attention they need and stay nice and clean for you to enjoy.

How often should you Clean Fabric Blinds?

There are several factors that can influence how regularly you will need to clean your fabric blinds.

First of all, it’s always a good starting point to consider how often you use your blinds. As an example, a fabric blind in an infrequently used bedroom will not require the same attention as a blind in the main family bathroom, kitchen or living room.

Having said that, if a fabric blind has not been used in a long time it may have accumulated dust which can easily transform into dirty marks.

Secondly, you need to consider where the blind is. Fabric blinds fitted on a window over your kitchen sink or near the shower cubicle in your family bathroom will inevitably get wet or splashed more often. Therefore, a more regular cleaning regime will be required.

Thirdly, think about where you live. Is your home situated by a busy road or built-up area? If so, the air that comes through your windows can carry dust and the smog of the city traffic which can make the fabric of your blinds become a little grubby.

Lastly, colours can influence your cleaning schedules too: lighter colours are renowned for being much harder to keep clean and looking pristine.

Reduce your cleaning of Fabric Blinds?

When choosing your ideal fabric blind, you should not only consider whether the actual material is to your taste or not, but also your day-to-day lifestyle and how this can impact your cleaning routine. As we mentioned, lighter colour fabrics will show up dirt more easily.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that different blinds require different fabrics too.

Roman blinds or curtains made with a soft material (although very nice and luxurious) can, however, be prone to attracting dust and dirt for example. This can be rather difficult and expensive to clean and keep looking at its best.

On the other hand, Roller blinds will offer you a wide range of treated fabrics that are coated and therefore much easier to simply wipe clean as and when you need it.

How to Remove Fabric Blinds

Once you have decided to get stuck in and clean your fabric blind, the first step is to take it down. Here are our top tips.

1. Luckily, the majority of blinds are installed with an easy to manage clip so that they can easily be removed and re-installed.
2. It’s always a good idea to remove delicate objects and photo frames from your windowsills in order to have a safer area to operate within and to avoid the risk of damaging precious items.
3. Make sure you know and are familiar with the mechanism your blind was installed; this will allow you to save time on the day and also will ensure you remove the blind in the safest possible way and without damaging it.
4. If your blinds are made of heavy material, make sure you have someone there that can help you with the process, particularly if the blind is a large one.

Cleaning the fabric

• Once you have removed your blind, you then need to determine whether you can remove the actual fabric from the hardware before you can clean it. If this is not possible you will need a large enough flat surface to rest the blind on and then clean the surface by hand.
• Very mild soapy water is recommended, taking care not to use any harsh chemicals that may cause discolouration or damage the fabric beyond repair.
• It’s always good practice to test a small area on the back of the fabric first to check for any reaction.
• Many of the fabrics would have come with their own cleaning guidelines and instructions, so make sure you check for any labels before cleaning.
• Some fabrics are machine washable; in this case, always follow the guidelines from the labels and be careful to select the right washing programme, particularly with regards to the water temperature and spin cycle. If the water is too hot it can cause unwanted shrinkage and or fading.

Replacing the fabric

Unfortunately, sometimes it is just not possible to achieve the end result when cleaning your fabric blinds. Fear not! There are several other options available for you!

If you cannot clean your blinds, some companies offer a replacement service. Once you have obtained the new fabric you can either decide to replace it yourself or enlist the help of a specialist.

Here at Blind Technique, we have a team of experts who will happily advise you and guide you through the process.

And finally, with new products coming to market every year and with the improved operating systems – such as the remote-controlled motorised operation – you may decide to go for a brand new product and give your home a fresh new look!