Mini blinds are an often-forgotten item in regular cleaning. As such, they can get really filthy. I have always enjoyed mini blinds. Over the years I have found several degrees of cleaning to clean mini blinds. There are several ways to clean mini blinds depending on how dirty they are.
Dust to Clean Mini Blinds
I you keep up on cleaning your mini blinds, you may only need to dust them. This will need to be done frequently, depending on dust levels in your home. To clean mini blinds in this fashion is simple. Turn the mini blinds closed, then dust. Turn them closed the opposite direction to dust the other side of the mini blinds.
Another dusting method involves a specially-made multi-slat duster. These can be made with synthetic sheepskin, microfiber or other cloth. At Amazon.com, you can get the microfiber style mini-blind dusterstarting at $4.251, and the synthetic sheepskin mini blind style duster starting at $1.942.
Vacuum to Clean Mini Blinds
Another option to clean mini blinds is a vacuum cleaner attachment. Target.com has a mini blind vacuum attachment for $9.993.
If neither of these methods are quite enough, you can try the next phase of how to clean mini blinds.
Wipe to Clean Mini Blinds
If your mini blinds are a little more than dusting, a quick wipe may be all that’s needed. This will work with aluminum, plastic and metal mini blinds.
Turn to close the mini blinds. Using a damp cloth, wipe the slats of the mini blinds. If necessary, you may wet the cloth with a diluted cleaning agent before wiping. Let dry, then turn to close the mini blinds the opposite direction to clean the other side of the mini blinds.
If you have wood mini blinds, you can try to dry-wipe the mini blinds, or use a little wood cleaner or furniture polish on the rag. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions for your wood mini blinds to avoid warping and cracking.
If you have fabric mini blinds, only follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Some fabric may pile if it gets wet. Other fabric may stain or get damaged on fabric mini blinds.
Soak to Clean Mini Blinds
If you really need to clean your mini blinds because they have caked on dust or greasy grime from the kitchen, you may have to soak those bad boys. This can be done in the bathtub.
If you choose the bathtub option, you will be able to soak your blinds for a while. Add some concentrated cleaner and water to your tub according to the concentrated cleaner’s instructions. It’s best if you choose a cleaner that can remove grease.
Release your mini blinds to full length, then turn to close. Remove the mini blinds and carefully take to the bathtub. Lay them in the bathtub, separating as many slats as possible. You want the cleaning solution to get all the slats.
Allow your mini blinds to soak at least 20 minutes. More time may be needed depending on the degree of grime.
After soaking and while still in the bathtub, spread out a section at a time of the mini blinds. Use a scrubby sponge or a hand brush to wipe or scrub the slats. Be sure to get around the cords. Work like this on one side of the blinds a section at a time until you clean that side of the mini blinds.
Carefully turn the blinds over and repeat the process for the other side of the mini blinds.
When you are finished, drain the water out of your bathtub. You can then use your shower to rinse the mini blinds. If you prefer, you may rinse the tub and refill with clean water to soak-rinse your mini blinds. Be sure to lift them gently up and down in the water s few times to remove the cleaning solution.
After soak-cleaning your mini blinds, you will need to hang them up somewhere to dry. Weather permitting, this can be done outside. If not, find somewhere inside to hang them, placing a towel or sheet underneath to catch the drips.
The MiniMaids Blind Cleaner4 has become a popular advertisement. This is a set of hanging devices to use to hang your mini blinds on the wall in the shower. It is supposed to make cleaning mini blinds easier. I have never tried MiniMaids Blind Cleaner so I do not know if it makes cleaning mini blinds any easier or not. I have only been able to find this product on ebay.com4. As of the date of this writing, this product is selling for $9.95.
To Spray Clean Mini Blinds Outside
If you’re cleaning your mini blinds in good weather, you can take them outside for a spray cleaning. This takes a little more effort than the bathtub method, as the mini blinds will not be soaking in cleaning solution.
Follow the same steps as above to remove your mini blinds. Take them outside where you can lay them flat. Spray your mini blinds with the hose. You can either pour cleaning solution on the blinds and scrub from there, or you can add cleaning solution to your scrubby sponge or hand brush to clean mini blinds.
Clean as you would in the bathtub method, making sure to get both sides. Then you just use the hose to spray them off. As above, you will need to hang them somewhere to dry.
Finish Cleaning Mini Blinds
When your mini blinds are almost dry, you should wipe them with a dry cloth to be sure there are no streaks or smears. WiseGeek5 suggests rubbing your dry mini blinds with a fabric softener sheet to prevent build-up. This may prolong the next event in which you need to clean mini blinds.
1) Amazon.com; Microfiber Blind Duster; www.amazon.com
2) Amazon.com; Do It Best Imports JXQY1001 Blind Kleener; www.amazon.com
3) Target.com; Search Results for Mini Blind Cleaner; www.target.com
4) ebay.com; MiniMaids Mini Blind Cleaner – Hang & Rinse Clean; www.ebay.com
5) wisegeek.com; How Can I Clean Mini Blinds?; www.wisegeek.com
