Window blinds are a great addition to any room in terms of both aesthetics and utility.
They offer plenty of benefits in terms of light and temperature control, privacy, and improved appearance of the room.
But they can be slightly tricky to clean.
Are window blinds washable?
Window blinds are certainly washable, but the right way to do so depends on the material of your blinds. Soft, traditional fabric blinds can be washed like any regular fabric, whereas other types of blinds such as vinyl, wood, or aluminum blinds, which are made of more sturdy materials, need to be cleaned differently. The different ways of washing window blinds include handwashing, machine washing, or professional cleaning (i.e., laundry).
It’s important to understand the intricacies of cleaning your blinds correctly so that you do not unknowingly damage any part of it and keep it looking as fresh as new for a long time.
Let’s learn more about how blinds and window coverings can be washed!
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Machine washable window blinds
Among all the ways to wash your window blinds, machine washing is the easiest but not all types of blinds can be machine washed.
Only the blinds that are made of soft materials, such as fabric-based blinds can be machine washed.
Washable blinds are easy to operate as they have flexible adjustment options and can be dismantled to clean and wash properly.
Blinds should be washed at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees and should be laid out flat in the sun to dry.
What are washable blind types?
Washable blinds are those that can be completely washed, unlike blinds made out of metal and wood.
There are different types of blinds and most of them are manufactured to be washed. If you look at the back of the blinds, you will find the manufacturer’s instructions about whether the blinds are machine washable or not.
The blinds that can be washed include fabric-based blinds such as roller blinds, allusion blinds (), vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, etc.
Let’s now look at the types of blinds that can be washed:
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are made by rolling the blinds material onto a roller, which is usually made of soft fabric. As these blinds are made from fabric, they can be easily machine-washed or hand washed.
Allusion Blinds
Allusion blinds are a beautiful and modern type of blind from Louvolite and are made up of a combination of sheer and opaque textured fabric.
These blinds can be taken apart from their holders and washed in the machine easily as they are usually machine wash friendly.
If you’re not sure how to wash them, you can always send the blinds to the laundry for a more professional wash.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are one of the most common blinds used in households and can be easily cleaned.
Whether you’re dealing with wooden, plastic, or fabric slats, cleaning vertical blinds at home is possible – and even simple. Cleaning vertical blinds become easier if you don’t have to dismantle them, and one way of doing this is to vacuum the blinds regularly.
Horizontal Blinds
Horizontal blinds can be washed either by using a vacuum cleaner or by taking apart the blinds and washing them by hand. Washing them without dismantling them can be tough as it can lead to water splashing over a wide area.
How to wash different blind types?
Many users will check the manufacturer’s washing directions given on the label when trying to figure out how to clean vertical blinds.
While this is a wonderful idea, here are a few more suggestions for keeping your blinds clean and fresh.
If you decide to wash the window blinds at home, fold them up and place them in an empty pillowcase to protect them, and use a soft woolen and delicate wash cycle as fabric blinds are prone to snagging and fraying.
Use warm water instead of hot water as washing with hot water might cause the adhesive that holds the blinds together to dissolve, releasing the weight and unraveling the fold. Warm water is always preferable because it is just as effective at stain removal while preserving any bonded areas.
In case your blinds are made from a hard material such as vinyl, it is advisable that these should be only washed and rinsed, not spun inside the machine. So, be sure to turn off spinning before washing hard blinds.
Which blinds are the easiest to clean/wash?
Window blinds made up of fabric, and other soft materials are the easiest to clean and wash in a machine.
As these blinds are made of soft materials, they can be washed with other loads as well. The only thing to note here is the temperature at which the blinds should be washed. You will normally find this on the manufacturer’s instructions given on the blinds.
Vinyl blinds can also be washed with little to no hardship. These blinds can be cleaned in a variety of ways, including handwashing them with warm water, letting them sit in the bathtub filled with soap and warm water, or machine wash them at low temperatures without using the spin.
Easy-to-clean blinds specifically for kitchen
Blinds for window kitchens play an essential role in controlling the amount of light entering the kitchen and giving it a cozy appearance. Cleaning kitchen blinds is comparatively easier than curtains as they are smaller in size.
Let’s now look at some kitchen blinds that are easy to clean and wash:
Roman Window Shades
Consider Roman blinds for your kitchen if your kitchen window is close to your garden area. They can be cleaned on a regular basis by using your vacuum cleaner’s soft fabric attachment to remove all the dust and debris.
Window Solar Shades
Solar window coverings are another excellent option for dressing up your kitchen windows. They’re easy to clean and won’t be harmed by hot water. There are numerous options available such as indoor and outdoor shades, so select them based on your preferences so that you may benefit from improved light management and privacy.
Now that you know how window blinds can be washed, you are in a position to figure out which window blinds are the easiest to clean. You can now make an informed decision when buying window blinds that are the most comfortable for you.
Sources
Which Blinds Are Easiest To Clean? A Ranked List of Low-Maintenance Options
