How to Clean Plastic or Aluminum Blinds

Keep newly washed blinds open until they're completely dry.

When routine dusting and wiping isn't enough to keep your aluminum or plastic venetian blinds looking good, consider a bath for your blinds. Deep cleaning venetian blinds requires no special equipment, but will take time as each slat should be wiped clean by hand. At the end of the bath, take time to let all the water drain out of the blinds before hanging them back up.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry soap
• Old towels
• Small towel or sponge
• Bathtub

Instructions

1. Fill your bathtub half way with warm water. Add a small amount of laundry soap. Swish to dissolve the soap and make the water sudsy. Place a towel in the bottom of the tub to prevent scratching.

2. Remove one blind at a time from your windows. Take the whole blind and place it in the sudsy water on the towel. With a small towel or sponge gently wash both side of the slats. Clean all of the slats.

3. Place a towel or two on the floor near the tub. Remove the blind from the water and run the faucet with warm water rinsing the entire blind. Gently shake off dripping water over the tub. Place it on end on the towel outside the tub to drain. Gently dry with another towel.

4. Hang the blind back in the window to dry. Release the cord so the blind is open the full length of the window. Tilt slats and wipe dry; tilt in the opposite direction to wipe the other side of the slats. Keep slats open until dry.

References

• Michigan State University Extension; Venetian Blinds -- Washing in Bathtubs; Anne Feld