Zen Whisper faux wood venetian blind in a bedroom window

How to clean Wooden blinds

Written by Yvonne Keal

Product Management specialist

Written: 20/11/2019

Updated: 16/03/2023

Find out the easiest ways to clean Wooden and Faux Wood blinds

There are two types of Wooden blinds in our range. Blinds made from hardwoods, using natural wood slats and Faux-Wooden blinds, with a moisture resistant finish. In this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll learn the best products and techniques to use when cleaning both types of Wooden blind, to help you keep them looking their best for longer.

 

Here we cover:

- How to keep your Wooden blind dust free

- How to thoroughly clean each individual slat

- How to tackle stubborn marks or stains

- How to use a vacuum cleaner to keep dust at bay

 

Watch our step-by-step guide

Our easy to follow guide gives you plenty of simple cleaning tips and techniques to keep your Wooden blinds looking great for longer. Take a look to learn more.

woman cleaning white wooden blinds

Keep your Wooden blinds dust free

The quickest way to clean Wooden blinds and keep them free from dust and debris is by using a feather duster or dry microfibre cloth.

Simply close the slats in one direction and lightly sweep in a downwards motion.

Make sure you clean both sides of the slats by opening and closing the blind to show the slats on the other side.

woman cleaning white wooden blinds

Clean each individual slat

To give your Wooden blind a more thorough clean take a dry, lint free cloth. Run the cloth across each slat, starting at the centre and working outwards.

Then close the blind and open in the opposite direction to clean the underside of the slats.

woman wiping white wooden blinds

Tackle any stubborn marks or stains

For sticky and stubborn stains, rub lightly with a damp cloth or sponge being careful to avoid soaking the wood. If you have Faux Wood blinds, you can use a diluted mix of detergent and lukewarm water.

Be careful not to rub too hard as this may affect the paint or varnish finish on your blinds. Also, bear in mind that any excess dampness may damage the wood so once the stain has lifted, be sure to wipe away any excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.

woman holding vacuum cleaner

Use a vacuum cleaner

To avoid dust build up you can also clean Wooden blinds with your vacuum cleaner, as long as you have a soft upholstery brush attachment.

This is a small, flathead brush with a row of short bristles. Set the suction of your vacuum to a low level and test it before you start to clean, as the slats of your blind could be pulled out of shape if your vacuum is too powerful.

If the uppermost slats are not within easy reach, use a sturdy, well-positioned step stool to avoid over-reaching and pulling on the blind slats.

Read our how to clean wooden blinds guide. Find out how to keep your wooden blinds looking great with regular cleaning and maintenance.   

The best way to clean Wooden blinds

The natural warmth of wooden blinds enhances any home, but requires regular cleaning to keep it looking good.

Like all wooden products, excess moisture can be detrimental to your blinds, causing them to expand and warp, so we strongly recommend that you avoid using any water or liquid cleaning products as part of your cleaning routine.

  1. Use a dry, clean cloth to gently dust your blind

The quickest cleaning method is to simply close the slats in one direction and wipe over with a feather duster or dry cloth. Wipe in a downwards motion so as not to disturb the slat positions. Open the slats and close again, this time in the opposite direction and wipe down the slats as before.  

For a more thorough clean, you will need a dry, lint free cloth, soft duster or specialist blind cleaning tool. Open your blind and clean the top of each slat by running the duster across the slat, starting at the centre and working outwards. Then close the blind and open in the opposite direction to clean the underside of the slats. 

Using a blind cleaning tool
View Wooden blinds

  1. Use a damp cloth to tackle any stubborn marks

For sticky and stubborn stains that you can’t remove with a dry cloth, rub lightly with a damp cloth until the stain lifts. Do not rub too hard as this may affect the paint or varnish finish on your wooden blinds. Once the stain has lifted, wipe away any excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.

Clean wooden blind with duster
View Wooden blinds

Cleaning Wooden blinds with a vacuum cleaner

If you have a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, you can also use this method to clean your wooden blinds. Vacuum cleaners with powerful suction can cause damage by pulling the slats downwards. 

Using the soft brush attachment, open your blind, and, taking a slat in one hand, carefully run the brush over the slat with the other. Repeat on each side in the same way as the duster method above.  If the uppermost slats are not within easy reach, use a sturdy, well-positioned step stool to avoid over-reaching and pulling on the blind slats. Alternatively, take the blind down and carefully lay it on the floor, using an old blanket or towel to protect the blind and your floor covering from damage. 

Clean wooden blinds with a vacuum cleaner
View Wooden blinds

How to clean faux wooden blinds

The easiest way to clean faux wooden blinds without having to remove them is with a feather duster or microfibre cloth. Work the cloth over the slats side to side moving down the blind gently. To remove stubborn grime, dip a cloth into a mixture of detergent and water being careful not to push dirt into the corners of the blind. Dryer sheets are also great for lifting dust. 

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