How to Clean Mini-Blinds and Venetian Blinds Fast and Easy

As with most household cleaning, frequent touch-ups are the best ways to avoid major cleaning projects. Generally, a light dusting once a month or so is all that's needed to keep mini-blinds clean.


How To Dust

Close the blinds and use a feather or lambswool duster--or the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Dust gently straight across so none of the slats get bent. Close the other way and repeat the process so both side of the slats are done. As with any cleaning, start at the top and work down.

You can try using a mini-blind duster which is kind of a - brush that cleans 5-6 slats at one time, but I've never had any luck with them.


For Heavy Duty Cleaning

* Spray an old pair of cotton gloves with Endust or all purpose cleaner and wipe each slat. Men's socks or a terry mitt will also work.

* Close the blinds and spray a large sponge with all purpose or glass cleaner and carefully wipe them following same precautions as with dusting. Do not spray the blinds directly or you'll get streaks on the windows and then have those to clean as well!

* Take them down and wash them in a bathtub filled with soapy water; then rinse. Hang to dry then rehang.

* Take them outside and wash them with soap and water. You can either hang the blinds or lay them flat on the grass. If you have a fertilizer or window washing spray attachment for your garden hose, put a little dish soap in the plastic container and spray away. Rinse the blinds and then hang to dry.

* If you're willing to spend a little money--and it's pretty inexpensive--call a professional blind cleaning service. Look under "Venetian Blinds" online or in the Yellow Pages to see if there's one in your area. There are some who come to your home, others require that you bring your blinds to them.


Best way to prevent major mini-blind cleaning: don't hang them in the kitchen where there's grease or the bathroom where there's hair spray.