Did you know that your blinds and window coverings can be one of the top sources for spreading dust and pollen in your home? You can significantly cut down on the number of airborne irritants in your home just by cleaning your indoor window coverings regularly and properly. The fall is a good time to do it, but really you can start anytime of the year and you should clean your window coverings every six to eight weeks to ensure that your home is as dust free as can be.

How To Clean Your Indoor Blinds Or Shutters

If you have plastic or wooden indoor blinds, then you’ll want to check out these tips for easy cleaning and maintenance. 

• Start with an initial dusting by running a clean microfiber cloth lengthwise on your blinds. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, you can use a sock or kitchen towel. Flip your blinds over and repeat to get both sides. It helps if you don’t have a microfiber cloth to slightly dampen your cloth before dusting to help the fabric trap more dust.
• Spot clean any stains with a toothbrush and a bit of warm soapy water. You can use a tablespoon of dish detergent in about a quart of water to start with. Pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Make sure to not leave any water droplets behind as they trap dust and pollen and can leave stain marks.
• Finish cleaning by running your vacuum over them with the brush attachment. This will help to dry your blinds more quickly if they are damp and will help to get any extra debris that has accumulated in the nooks and crannies. 

How To Clean Your Indoor Fabric Shades

This is a bit of a different process but it is still easy to do if you do it regularly. The longer you wait between cleanings the harder it will get. 

• Take your vacuum wand with a brush attachment and thoroughly go over both sides of the fabric shades going from top to bottom.
• Spot treat any stains or gunk buildup with the same soapy water mixture. Just be sure to not brush too hard with your toothbrush (or small cleaning brush if you’re using one instead). 
• Set a box fan in the room for about an hour or two after cleaning to help dry out the coverings faster. Wet fabric will trap dust faster than dry.
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but some fabric window coverings can be dry cleaned. Your results may vary. 

How To Clean Wooden Blinds

These are the trickiest of all because too much water can warp the blinds or leave unsightly stains. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first, but in general you can use these tips. 

• Dust them first with a microfiber cloth or soft rag or even your vacuum brush attachment. 
• Spot clean with just a few drops at a time of the dish soap mixture. Let dry completely. 
• Oil the wood blinds by using a lemon oil product made for wood or one that is recommended by the manufacturer. 
• Finish by running a fresh fabric softener sheet across the blinds to help prevent dust buildup.