When you purchase new blinds for your home it is important that you know exactly how to care for them. Otherwise you may go wading in with all of the best intentions and end up doing more harm than good! Each type of material will have its own requirements when it comes to cleaning, so it is important that you have some kind of understanding of this before you begin.

Wooden blinds are similar to aluminium ones insomuch as they will only need to be cleaned once a week. However, that is where any similarities end. Wooden blinds have their own special coating and this must be kept safe during the actual cleaning process. If it is not, then there is a chance of moisture getting into the material of your blinds and this may cause them to warp.

Feather Dusters

Wooden blinds will need to be dusted every week. Any type of wooden furniture or fittings will act as a magnet to dust and your blinds are no exception. If you are using a feather duster to clean your blinds, then it is advisable to first cover it with a soft, lint-free sleeve. This will help prevent dust particles from flying around in the air and settling on your other furnishings. And if you are prone to dust-related allergies, then this is especially important!

It is also a good idea to place a dust sheet or an old towel on the floor below the blind before you start. It is surprising how much dust this will catch.

Adjust the blinds until they are flat and facing towards you and then wipe them in a downwards motion. If there is a lot of dust on your blinds, then remove the sleeve outdoors and shake off the worst of the dirt before continuing.

Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners are by far the easiest way of cleaning wooden blinds!

If your vacuum has a brush attachment, then this is ideal for removing most of the dust. Make sure that you adjust the blind as you are working so that the slats are cleaned on both sides.

After you have finished, give the blind a wipe over with a dry, lint-free cloth. This will remove any dirt that has been missed with the vacuum cleaner.

What NOT to Use on Your Wooden Blinds

DO NOT use soap and water as this can damage the coating on your blinds. It may also allow moisture to get through to the actual wood, causing the slats to swell or warp.

NEVER use water-based floor cleaners on your blinds. They may give them a temporary shine, but this will soon be gone and they can actually discolour the finish of the wood.

Furniture Oil and Polish

Once that your blinds are properly clean, you will need to apply some proper polish or wood oil. This will restore their natural shine and help to keep them looking good for many years to come. Your wooden blinds will already have been given a protective coating and it is important to keep this in place.

Special protective oils can be obtained from any good supplier, however If you cannot get hold of any, then spray-on furniture polish will normally work just as well.