Cleaning your window coverings regularly is important for maintaining a healthy home and also maximising the life of your blinds or shutters. This task can often seem overwhelming because of the intricate parts contained in some styles of window furnishings but following our step-by-step instructions can make your job less daunting. Find your type of window covering below to see how you can easily clean your way to a healthier, newer-looking home.

Timber Shutters or Blinds

You’ll need:

A vacuum with a brush attachment
Soft cleaning cloths (try to use a lint-free option)
Duster
Water

1. For blinds, extend to full length
2. Angle your shutters or blinds until almost closed to expose the slats
3. Attach the brush/upholstery attachment to your vacuum
4. Run the attachment along the slats to vacuum up the dust using a low suction setting. Angle your blinds in the opposite direction until almost closed and repeat.
5. Use the cloth or duster to pick up any remaining dust. Reverse blind or shutter direction and repeat.
6. For any stains or marks, wet a new cleaning cloth and wring until just damp and gently rub over the area until clean. Reverse blind or shutter direction and repeat.
7. Use a fresh cloth to dry off residual dampness. Reverse blind or shutter direction and repeat.
8. Open your shutters or blinds and allow to dry

Vertical Blinds

You’ll need:

A vacuum with a brush attachment
Soft cleaning cloths (try to use a lint-free option) or sponge
Water
Dishwashing detergent

1. Angle your blinds until almost closed but with each slat still exposed
2. Attach the brush/upholstery attachment to your vacuum
3. Run the attachment along each slat to vacuum up the dust using a low suction setting. Reverse blind direction and repeat.
4. Mix a small amount of dishwashing detergent with water
5. Dip a soft cleaning cloth or sponge into the solution and wring
6. Gently scrub the sponge or cloth along the longest axis of the blind to wipe away dirt and stains. Scrub blinds from bottom to top to avoid dislodging them. Reverse blind direction and repeat.
7. Dip a fresh cloth in clean water and wring
8. Wipe the suds and grime off the blinds. Reverse blind direction and repeat.
9. Open blinds and allow to dry

Aluminium Blinds

You’ll need:

A vacuum with a brush attachment
Soft cleaning cloths
Water

1. Angle your blinds until almost closed but with each slat still exposed
2. Attach the brush/upholstery attachment to your vacuum
3. Run the attachment along each slat to vacuum up the dust using a low suction setting. Reverse blind direction and repeat.
4. Dip a soft cleaning cloth into water and wring
5. Wipe cloth along the slats to clean away dust. Angle your blinds in the opposite direction until almost closed and repeat.
6. Open blinds and allow to dry

Roller Blinds

You’ll need:

A vacuum with a brush attachment
Sponge
Water
Laundry detergent

1. Remove the roller blind from the roller and lay it flat on the floor
2. Attach the brush/upholstery attachment to your vacuum
3. Run the attachment over the blind to vacuum up the dust using a low suction setting
4. Check that your roller blind is washable*
5. Fill a bathtub or sink with a solution of warm water and a little laundry detergent
6. Submerge the blind in the water and allow to soak until dirt and grime is loosened
7. Scrub with a sponge to remove stubborn dirt and stains
8. Rinse off the soap and grime
9. Hang blind on clothesline to dry
10. Once dry, reattach blind to roller

*If your blind is not washable, dilute a small amount of laundry detergent with water and spot clean stains using a cloth or sponge then wipe off with a clean damp cloth.

Roman or Panel Blinds

You’ll need:

A vacuum with a brush attachment
Soft cleaning cloths (try to use a lint-free option) or sponge
Water
Dishwashing detergent

1. Attach the brush/upholstery attachment to your vacuum
2. Run the attachment over the blind to vacuum up the dust using a low suction setting
3. To spot clean, mix a small amount of dishwashing detergent with water
4. Dip a soft cleaning cloth or sponge into the solution and wring
5. Gently rub the sponge or cloth over the affected area to clean away dirt or stains
6. Dip a fresh cloth in clean water and wring
7. Wipe with cloth until clean
8. Open blind and allow to dry

Still not sure how to clean your window coverings? Talk to the experts at an Andersens store near you. We’re always happy to help.