Step-by-step instructions on how to wash vertical blinds by hand and in an automatic washing machine
Practical, stylish, and easily fit into any interior - vertical fabric blinds.
A variety of colors and materials allows you to choose the ideal option for both strict office design and cozy home interiors.
You can maintain the original appearance of vertical blinds for as long as possible if you follow the rules and recommendations for care.
Read the article about whether and how to wash vertical fabric blinds in a machine.
Content
Is it possible?
Before you start washing vertical fabric blinds, it is very important to study the manufacturer’s information about the composition of the fabric and recommendations for caring for the product.
There are certain restrictions (hand wash only allowed) for blinds made from natural fabrics:
- cotton,
- linen,
- jacquard.
Ignoring this rule will lead to the fact that the fabric strips change their shape, decrease in size and the blinds will be hopelessly damaged.
You can process products from:
- synthetics,
- polyester,
- mixed types of fabric.
How to remove them?
Removing the lamellas will not be difficult if you follow a clear algorithm of actions:
- The slats are set to the open position (perpendicular to the window).
- Remove the chain connecting all the slats (located at the bottom of the blinds).
- Remove the weights, inserting them into the bottom of each fabric strip.
- Remove the side cap of the vertical blinds cornice.
- Having unfastened the fastening element in the upper part of the lamella, carefully, one by one, remove all the fabric strips from the cornice.
The plastic fastening runner (clothespin or hook) that secures the fabric strip to the curtain rod is very fragile. Careless, sudden movements can easily damage it.
He will tell you more about how to remove vertical blinds. this article.
Preparing for washing
It is possible to achieve the ideal result of cleanliness and freshness, while maintaining the shape and color of vertical fabric strips of blinds, provided that they are properly prepared before washing.
What should be done:
- carefully remove the slats from the cornice, remove the weight plate;
- Using a soft furniture nozzle, vacuum each lamella, clearing it of dust;
- Carefully roll each fabric strip into a not very tight roll and place it in a special laundry bag (can be replaced with a white pillowcase).
Machine processing
Before machine washing, it is very important to study the fabric composition information. vertical stripes. The thing is that it is not recommended to wet expensive natural fabrics (for example, jacquard).
Algorithm of actions:
- The pre-prepared lamellas are carefully rolled into rolls, tied in three pieces with white thread and placed in special laundry bags.
- Set the delicate or manual type of wash, the temperature is not higher than 40C, the number of washing revolutions is no more than 400. The rinsing and spinning mode is turned off.
- Liquid detergent for delicate items is poured into a special compartment. Regular dry powder cannot be used, since abrasive particles, if poorly rinsed out of the fabric, can affect the color and shape of the product.
- After washing, the slats are immediately taken out of the bags, rinsed thoroughly under running water, laid out on a horizontal surface to drain the water, and hung to dry.
Cleaning by hand
Delicate hand washing will help refresh slats made from natural fabrics.
Algorithm of actions:
- Each fabric lamella, having previously been freed from the weighting plate, is rolled into a roll. It is important that the rolls are not too tight, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve high quality washing.
- Warm water is poured into a wide basin (temperature no more than 40°C), liquid detergent is added (the dosage is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging).
- Prepared rolls of fabric strips of blinds are immersed in a soap solution (water should completely cover them) and left to soak for half an hour.
- Afterwards, the rolls are unrolled and carefully inspected for any remaining stains.
- Using a soft sponge soaked in a soapy solution, carefully wipe the fabric slats on both sides. It is important not to twist the fabric during the washing process, otherwise creases will appear on the slats, which are very difficult to get rid of. All movements are performed strictly along the length of the fabric strip.
- After washing, the slats are thoroughly rinsed under running water.
- Clean strips are laid out on a horizontal surface, the water is allowed to drain and hung to dry in a dark, well-ventilated place.
How to clean without removing?
Cleaning the slats without removing them from the curtain rod will make the process of caring for the blinds easier.
Algorithm of actions:
- Using a soft furniture attachment, thoroughly clean the fabric strips from dust with a vacuum cleaner.
- Warm water (room temperature) is poured into a basin, in which liquid detergent is dissolved (as an option, you can use shavings of laundry soap).
- Each lamella is thoroughly wiped on both sides with a sponge soaked in a soap solution (the water must be changed as it becomes dirty).
- Use a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining detergent from the blinds.
- Already washed blinds are wiped with a sponge dampened with water with the addition of conditioner (covers the fabric with a protective, antistatic layer, gives the blinds a pleasant aroma of freshness).
Removing heavy dirt and stains
Before washing, each fabric strip of blinds must be carefully inspected for stains.
Very strong stains and stubborn stains can be removed using the following methods:
- Ammonia refreshes and removes stains. It is necessary to dilute a bottle of ammonia in 10 liters of water and soak the fabric slats in the resulting solution. If necessary, especially dirty stains are wiped again with a sponge soaked in ammonia solution.
- Lemon acid - an effective remedy in the fight against stubborn tea or coffee stains.To work, dilute one sachet of citric acid powder in 10 liters of water, moisten a sponge in the resulting product and carefully wipe the stain on the slats.
- Ammonia with soda will help remove old, stubborn ink stains. You need to mix baking soda (1 tablespoon) with ammonia to form a liquid slurry, apply the resulting product to a cloth and thoroughly wipe the stain on the fabric strip.
- Vinegar good for cleaning colored blinds. The vinegar solution will help remove stains while maintaining the brightness of the fabric slats. To work, you need to dilute 3 tablespoons in 10 liters of water. vinegar, soak fabric strips in the resulting solution. After half an hour, the lamellas are taken out, rinsed in clean water and hung out to dry.
How to dry?
Proper drying is a guarantee that the fabric slats of vertical blinds will retain their shape and color after washing.
Basic recommendations:
- Immediately after washing, the slats must be hung out to dry (delay can cause creases and folds to appear, which are very difficult to get rid of).
- Dry the fabric strips in the fresh air in a well-ventilated place. The slats are fixed to the rope with clothespins using a plastic fastener, preventing the strip from bending.
- It is strictly forbidden to dry the lamellas on heating devices or near an open fire. A sudden change in temperature can cause deformation of the product.
If it’s raining, windy, snowing outside, the vertical blinds are washed dry indoors as follows:
- Immediately after washing, the fabric strips are laid out on a horizontal surface to drain the water.
- Wet slats are hung on the eaves. A weighting plate must be fixed in each strip.This way you can avoid problems with the canvas shrinking, the formation of creases and folds on it.
How to care?
Maintain the original appearance of vertical blinds Some care tips will help:
- at least once a week, the fabric slats are cleaned of dust with a vacuum cleaner;
- once or twice a month, wipe the fabric strips with a sponge soaked in antistatic agent;
- It is necessary to wash fabric slats as rarely as possible, this will extend their service life;
- small spots can be removed locally without soaking the entire fabric strip;
- If you have the slightest doubt about the advisability of home cleaning, your own strengths and knowledge, it is better to entrust vertical fabric blinds to the experienced hands of dry cleaning professionals.
Adviсe
Important Recommendations:
- Before washing, it would be a good idea to check whether the fabric from which the slats are made is not fading.
- Vertical blinds cannot be washed with clothes or bedding.
- It is strictly forbidden to use automatic drying or iron fabric strips (high temperature deforms the fabric and destroys the top protective layer).
- It is prohibited to use chlorine-containing products or stain removers to clean fabric slats.
- Instead of liquid detergent, you can use shavings of laundry soap to wash vertical blinds.
- When choosing a liquid detergent, be sure to take into account the color of the lamellas. For colored stripes, use only powder for colored fabrics, and for light-colored blinds, use only powder for white fabrics.
You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.
Video on the topic of the article
The video will show you how to remove, wash, dry and hang vertical blinds:
Conclusion
Keeping vertical fabric blinds clean is not difficult if you follow the basic rules and recommendations for caring for them.