Cleaning Guide: Window Blinds & Shades

While blinds and shades generally need very little maintenance, regularly cleaning them is highly recommended and will prevent professional cleaning and repair bills down the road. Instructions for proper care and maintenance usually come with your blinds, but general instructions can also be found here at Blindsmax.com. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about blinds you purchased from us please click the live chat button above or call 1-888-305-8020 anytime Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm EST.

• How to clean Aluminum Mini Blinds:

  For light cleaning of your mini blinds use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If something spills on your blinds you can also use a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution, then blot dry. Take special care not to push any dust into the cords running through the blind slats.




• How to clean Faux Wood Blinds:

  For light cleaning of your faux wood blinds use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If something spills on your blinds you can also use a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution, then blot dry. Take special care not to push any dust into the cords running through the blind slats.




• How to clean Real Wood / Hardwood Blinds:

  For light cleaning of your wood blinds use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. For painted and stained finishes clean with Pledge® or other spray polish and a soft cloth. Never ever use water or you run the risk of damaging your blinds.

  By tilting the slats down, but not quite closed, you'll be able to clean most of the top surface of each slat. You can clean the blind hanging in place or you can take it down.




• How to clean Composite Wood Blinds:

  For light cleaning of your composite blinds use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If something spills on your blinds you can also use a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution, then blot dry. Take special care not to push any dust into the cords running through the blind slats.




• How to clean Vertical Blinds:

  General guidelines for cleaning your vertical blinds depends greatly on the material the vanes are made of;

  Vinyl Vanes
  • Regularly dust or vacuum with an upholstery attachment.
  • For soil removal, sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution and blot dry.
  • PVC louvers may be removed and immersed in water.
  Fabric Vanes
  • Regularly dust or vacuum with an upholstery attachment.
  • For soil removal, sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution (or dry fabric cleaner) and blot dry.
  • Do not immerse in water or dry clean.
  Sheer Vertical Vanes
  • Fabric is steam pressed in the manufacturing process, but may need to be re-steamed (light and quick) at low temperature before hanging. NOTE: Care should be taken to avoid ironing out the permanent pleats. Do not steam fabric while it is on the vanes as they will be damaged.
  • Fabric may be feather dusted or vacuumed at low suction setting to remove dust.
  • Fabric is machine washable. Use the gentle cycle, warm water and mild detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach.
  • Hang damp sheer on louvers and re-shape.
  • Allow fabric to dry with the louvers in the open position.



• How to clean Insulating Cellular Blinds

  For light cleaning of your faux wood blinds use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If something spills on your blinds you can also use a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution, then blot dry. Take special care not to push any dust into the cords running through the blind slats.




• How to clean Roman Shades:

  Remove the shade from its window; open it and lay out on a clean, flat surface. If the shade is dusty, vacuum with an upholstery attachment. To clean fingerprints or soiled spots, use an aerosol spray foam upholstery or fabric cleaner such as Woolite® or ScotchGard® upholstery cleaners. Spray the foam cleaner over the entire area to be cleaned. Immediately scrub the area with a clean damp sponge (back and forth gently) until the stains are removed. Be careful not to crush or wrinkle the fabric. Remove excess water from the fabric by patting with a clean, dry towel. Hang the shade up when completely dry. DO NOT USE STRONG DETERGENTS OR SPOT REMOVERS.

  Dry cleaning: Due to the differences in ultrasonic cleaning operators, we do NOT recommend this method of cleaning.




• How to clean Cellular / Honeycomb Shades:

  Regular Cleaning
  • Dust with a feather duster.
  • Lightly vacuum fabric with an upholstery attachment.
  Soil Removal
  • Sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution and blot dry. (Extra care should be used when cleaning blackout fabrics, as the fabrics could become permanently creased.)
  • Do not use strong detergents or spot removers. Dry cleaning is NOT recommended.
  • When dusting, vacuuming, and spot cleaning aren't enough and deeper cleaning is desired, ultrasonic or injection/extraction cleaning with professional blind cleaner is an option.



• How to clean Pleated Shades:

  Remove the shade from its window; open it and lay out on a clean, flat surface. If the shade is dusty, vacuum with an upholstery attachment. To clean fingerprints or soiled spots, use an aerosol spray foam upholstery or fabric cleaner such as Woolite® or ScotchGard® upholstery cleaners. Spray the foam cleaner over the entire area to be cleaned. Immediately scrub the area with a clean, damp sponge (back and forth gently in the direction parallel to the pleats in the fabric) until stains are removed. Be careful not to crush or wrinkle the fabric. Remove excess water from the fabric by patting with a clean, dry towel. Hang the shade up when completely dry. Frequent cleaning may remove the fullness and body of the pleated fabric. DO NOT USE STRONG DETERGENTS OR SPOT REMOVERS.

  Dry cleaning: Due to the differences in ultrasonic cleaning operators, we do NOT recommend this method of cleaning.




• How to clean Sheer Horizontal Shades:

  For light cleaning of your sheer shades use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If something spills on your shades you can also use a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution, then blot dry. DO NOT USE STRONG DETERGENTS OR SPOT REMOVERS.




• How to clean Roller / Solar Shades:

  For light cleaning of your solar and roller shades use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If something spills on your shades you can also use a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution, then blot dry. AVOID SCRUBBING WITH ABRASIVE SOLUTIONS.




• How to clean Woven Wood / Natural Shades:

  For light cleaning of your woven wood blinds use a static charged duster or lightly vacuum with a brush attachment to ensure lasting beauty. AVOID CLEANING WITH WATER, SOLVENTS, OR ABRASIVE SOLUTIONS.