How to Remove Grime From Miniblinds

Mini. Micro mini. Macro. Vertical. No matter which variation of blinds you have, all have one thing in common: They're magnets for dust, animal dander, kitchen grease and soot. Clean them at least once a year--more often if they're in the kitchen. It's an easy way to brighten up your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dishwashing Liquid
• Cotton Gloves Or Clean Old Tube Socks
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Old Lint-free Sheet Or Blanket
• Plastic Scrubber Sponge
• Vacuum With Small Brush Attachment
• Fabric-softener Sheets

1. Tilt blind slats closed.

2. Rub a damp fabric-softener sheet across each slat to remove static and dust, and to leave a fresh scent on the blinds and in the room.

3. Slip inexpensive cotton gloves (or a clean old tube sock) on each hand. Dip one hand into warm, soapy water made from a few squirts of dishwashing liquid. Holding each slat between your thumb and fingers, run the soapy hand along the length of each slat, cleaning both sides as you go.

4. Dip and rinse your hand as needed.

5. Wipe the slats dry with your hand in a dry glove or sock.

6. For seriously dirty miniblinds, follow steps 6 through 10. First, take down the blinds and submerge them in a bathtub filled with warm, soapy water (use dishwashing liquid).

7. Let the blinds sit in the water in the bathtub overnight.

8. Scrub each slat with a plastic scrubber sponge to dislodge the grime.

9. Rinse or soak the blinds in plain water, then take them outside to air-dry on an old lint-free sheet or blanket.

10. Rehang the blinds when they're dry.

11. To keep your miniblinds clean longer, vacuum them weekly with a small brush attachment. Regularly sponge-clean your kitchen miniblinds to remove airborne cooking oils.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you take down your blinds, make note of how they're hung.

on 6/30/2006 I would recommend Lysol Basin Tub and Tile Cleaner. Not the spray bottle, but the aerosol can. My father bought a can many years ago, thinking it was Lysol air freshener. I now use it for everything. It is also great for high traffic areas on your kitchen floors. Of course, always use it in a small test area first, but it really works wonder. Happy cleaning!

on 3/7/2006 Some mini blinds contain high amounts of lead, which is a poison, especially for children. You can't tell by looking. Often, kids are poisoned by lead dust in the air or lead dirt on their hands. After cleaning, wash separately the clothes used during cleaning. Keep children away from the blinds, especially those under age 7.

on 11/22/2005 Instead of all that scrubbing with dish soap or wiping each little slat, take the blinds down and with the slats in the closed position, spray front and back sides of the whole mini blind with bathroom cleaner. Wait a few seconds. Give the closed blinds a quick wipe with a wet washcloth. Rinse them well (using a handheld shower is fastest), hang to dry outside or over the shower rod if you can figure out how to do that. It takes less than 5 minutes and they are squeaky clean. Rehang when air dry, or if you're in a hurry, use a towel. There is no scrubbing needed, unless it is covered in heavy, dried on matter.

on 11/22/2005 Blinds are held in place by clips, one on each end. The clips will turn out to allow the blinds to be removed, and turn back in to lock the blinds back inside their space. The movement of the clip is a twisting motion - backward and forward.

on 11/22/2005 I usually take mine to the bathtub and soak them in warm water with a small amount of bleach added. Slosh them around a bit and when they are suitably clean, empty the water from the tub and stand the blinds up vertically for the water to drain off.