Cleaning Vinyl Mini Blinds

Vinyl mini blinds must be cleaned often.

Vinyl mini blinds are inexpensive window treatments that are found in many homes and apartments. They can be a magnet for dust and dirty fingers. It is not uncommon to find vinyl mini blinds with peanut butter or other substances on the slats in homes that house small children. How long it takes to clean vinyl mini blinds depends on how dirty the blinds are. Cleaning can be as simple as dusting or as involved as taking the blinds down and scrubbing them outside.

Things You'll Need

• Dust cloth or alcohol-based wipes
• Cleaner with degreaser
• Scrub brush
• Water hose
• Feather duster

Instructions

1. Wipe each slat of the blinds using a dust cloth or alcohol-based cleaning wipe. Replace the cloth or wipe with a clean one once the first one is dirty. Often, this will be all you need to do, especially if you clean your blinds on a regular basis. If your blinds are too dirty for this method to have an effect, see Step 2.

2. Remove the blinds from the window and take them outside. Lay the blinds on a clean driveway or other flat surface.

3. Spray the blinds with an all-purpose cleaner that contains a degreaser. Allow the cleaner to sit on the blinds for five minutes.

4. Scrub each slat with a brush to loosen dust and other debris.

5. Turn on the hose and spray the blinds until the dirt and dust are gone.

6. Allow the blinds to dry, then hang them back in the window.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your mini blinds every time you dust your house. Use a feather duster for this type of maintenance cleaning. This will keep the dust from building up and forming a film on the blinds.

• Take your mini blinds to the car wash if you don't have an outside area in which to clean your blinds.

References

• The Washington Post: Cleaning Miniblinds
• Blinds Chalet: Cleaning Vinyl Mini Blinds