Vertical blinds are easier to clean than horizontal ones. Fabric vertical blinds have an advantage over to curtains because you can replace faded or damaged slats individually rather than replacing the entire curtain. Unlike curtains, though, many fabric blinds are not washable, which can make keeping them clean a bit of a challenge. Preventive maintenance is best in that case, but if time gets away from you, it is not difficult to give the blinds a good spring cleaning. Brush away any dust, dirt and lint with a soft brush. A clean baby’s brush works well for this because they are so soft they will not snag even delicate fabrics. Work from the top down, being careful not to dislodge the panels. Vacuum blinds at least once per month, using the upholstery brush attachment. Support the blinds with your free hand as you work from the top of the slat down. Clean spots by dampening a clean, lint-free towel such as a white linen dish towel with a dime-size dollop of dry cleaner’s spot treatment.

Test a less-visible part of the blinds to make sure the spot remover will not also take out the fabric dye. Blot the stain with the dampened cloth until it has disappeared. Fill the bathtub with 4 inches to 6 inches of lukewarm water. Splash in 2 tablespoons of mild detergent like the type formulated for lingerie and other delicate fabrics. Swish the water around with your hand to mix the detergent into the water. Remove the slats from their hangers and lay them flat in the warm water. Use your hands or a baby brush to gently wipe away any dirt or dust. Let the blinds soak for 30 to 45 minutes. Prepare the floor underneath the blind track by placing folded towels along it while the blinds are soaking. Drain the bathtub and refill it with cool water at least twice. It’s important to get all of the detergent out of the blinds, because if it dries, dust will stick to it. Pick up the blind slats one at a time and shake them gently until no more water runs off them. Hold each one over a bucket to keep from leaving a trail of drips as you carry the slats back to their window.

Rehang the blind slats in the fully spread out position and let them dry for at least 45 minutes before opening them and crowding them up against each other. Help Cleaning Vertical Blinds I have fabric vertical blinds that need cleaning. Basic dirt build-up and cat hair. Take the Blinds Outside I put nails in the top of my fence spaced the width of my blinds - only two nails. Take the blinds down, and hang on the fence. Hanging 20 Lb MirrorPut some ammonia and detergent in dishpan with warm water. Inside This T Shirt Is One Terrific KidUse large floor type scrub brush and brush them with this sudsy mixture, and squirt off with garden hose until fully rinsed. Pottery Barn Vintage Drapery HardwareWait about 1 hour until mostly dry and rehang.

This works faster and better than trying to clean them while still hanging in the home. Remove the bottom chain and plates. Take the blinds off the top hooks. Place them on top of each other as you remove each one. Place the blinds into the washing machine. Fill with cold water. Use light liquid soap, depending on the fabric. Use the delicate cycle for a short time while watching over it. Do not use a regular cycle as this may fray the fabric. Put through the spin cycle twice or as needed. Hang back up to dry. I do this once a year. My blinds look like new every time. Vertical Blinds photo from Shutterstock We have horizontal cloth wood blinds that were very yellow from age, dirt, and you name it. These blinds are very expensive. Rather than to buy new ones we decided to experiment with them. I picked up six cans of SPOT SHOT at Sam's Club to use. I removed blinds and hung them under our patio cover and sprayed the blinds both sides with the Spot Shot and waited a few minutes and then hosed them down.

I let them dry a couple days and re-hung. I wasn't satisfied with the finished product as we wanted lighter color so my wife took some white latex paint and thinned it down, then washed the blinds with this thinned paint using a sponge and then let dry. We were real pleased with the results and it saved us several dollars (say around $600). For dirt and pet hair on vertical blinds, I use a natural enzyme spray found in the pet section of a store. Spray both sides of the blind (if they are not lined) wait a day to let dry then vacuum. I have found the enzyme sprays to work well on a lot of stains around the house. For the new vinyl vertical blinds I use the wet swifter sheets to wipe dust, dirt and grime off. Quick Work in the Bathtub I mixed a solution of laundry detergent and bleach in the bathtub with hot water. Then I took 1 or 2 blinds down at a time and put them to soak. After about 10-15 minutes of soaking, I lightly scrubbed with a rag or soft brush. Then I rinsed and let them dry.

In my case I brought them outside and rinsed with the garden hose. Take the Next Step: Could spending 5 minutes reading a newsletter twice a week save you time and money every day? Dollar Stretcher Tips readers think so. Subscribe and find out how many ideas stretch your day and your dollar! Subscribers get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries: 130 Ways to Live Better...For Less for FREE. Visit our "Handy Household Tips" board today! Share your thoughts about this article with the editor. More Money-Saving Tips for Your Home 6 cheap, effective home security solutions 5 frugal ways to expand your living space Top 10 DIY mistakes made by home 'handymen' A burglar reveals 15 trade secrets Saving for a newer car Simple, inexpensive concrete basement floor solutions This week's Readers' Tips Should I use a HELOC for home remodeling and repairs Find the best mortgage rates in your area 3 ways to use a mortgage calculator