How to Clean Roller Blinds
Cleaning your blinds can help return your roller blinds to their former glory, and help to keep them looking fresh, clean and new for longer.
Here is how often to clean your roller blinds, what tools, cleaning products and techniques to help ensure you get the best finish from your cleaning operation. We’ll also cover whether you can steam-clean roller blinds, dry cleaning for roller blinds and mould removal in case your blinds have become discoloured by mould and blemishes.
Regular cleaning can help keep your roller blinds looking and working their best.
Table of Contents
How to clean roller blinds without taking them down
It is definitely easier to clean your roller blind without taking it down because the blind is hanging at eye level and easy to reach and sort out in this hanging position. It is also safer as the blind cannot get further dirt from a table top or from the floor.
Here is how to clean your blinds and instructions for a deep clean if they need more attention.
Regular Cleaning
For a general clean of your roller blinds, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush attachment. Roll the blind all the way down so the fabric is flat. Hold the edge of the blind fabric and begin vacuuming from top to bottom. Don’t forget to get the backside of the blind as well.
Roller blinds should be vacuumed occasionally to prevent dust build-up. While you can use a duster, a vacuum is more effective at removing dust particles from the fabric. We suggest vacuuming them every few weeks when they start to show dust, and thereafter, add it to your regular cleaning routine.
How to deep-clean your roller blinds
If you want a deeper clean that removes small layers of grime, you can also use a damp cloth after vacuuming. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water and dip a microfibre cloth into the lukewarm water. Wring it out, so that you don’t make the blind wet in patches – this can cause shrinkage. Instead of soap, you can use vinegar.
Vinegar works by loosening zinc salts or aluminium chloride, which means that dirt won’t stick to your blind, also the acidic nature of vinegar is so powerful it can dissolve mineral deposit, dirt, grease, and grime. It’s also strong enough to kill bacteria. Never use anything that has bleach or you may remove some of the colour.
You must be very careful not to scrub the fabric too hard because this could cause colour loss.
Can you wash roller blinds in washing machine?
Putting roller blinds in the washing machine is usually impossible because they’re often attached to a metal rail.
Even if you can remove the fabric, washing roller blinds in a washing machine is not recommended because the high temperatures of a washing machine will cause your fabric to significantly shrink and crease.
The same is true of when it comes to cleaning curtains and roman blinds because fabrics can easily be damaged, warped or shrunk by exposure to hot temperatures.
How do you clean fabric roller blind fittings?
There shouldn’t be any need to clean the roller blind fittings, but if it is essential, a wipe over with a warm damp cloth should suffice. Leave the blind extended to dry.
Should you consider dry cleaning a fabric roller blind?
For a roller blind with a side control, we wouldn’t recommend dry-cleaning your roller blind as it would involve taking the blind completely to pieces and it would be complicated to reload the blind mechanism. It is much best to hoover and sponge it if necessary.
How to clean blackout roller blinds
Cleaning blackout roller blinds is the same as cleaning laminated roller blinds see: ‘Regular cleaning’ at the beginning of this page.
The blackout material added to blackout blinds shouldn’t change your approach to how they can be cleaned.
How to clean marks off roller blinds:
It can be difficult to remove stains like tea and dried paint from your roller blind. If your roller blind is badly marked, it may not be worth the effort to try and get the stains off.
However, for smaller stains, you can buy spot stain removers which you would have to use with great caution. Try them in an area of the blind not usually visible to make sure they don’t affect the colour of the fabric: maybe at the very top of the blind when it is over-pulled down to see if it removes colour etc. Most of these products include bleach so beware.
Can I steam-clean roller blinds to remove creases?
Normally roller blinds will rarely need steaming as they can’t get creased, but, if necessary, they could be gently steamed to remove any creases. It is hard to regulate the temperature of a steamer, so be aware of potential shrinkage.
How to clean mould off roller blinds
Removing mould from roller blinds can be difficult because many of the specialist cleaning detergents contain bleach which could cause your blind fabrics colours to change or cause colour loss.
Even household items including white vinegar, lemon juice and tea tree oil mixed with water could cause colour loss.
We suggest you gently brush mould patches with a stiff brush and then spot treat with a specialist fabric detergent. Try the detergent in an area of the blind not seen: maybe part of the blind at the very top when it is over pulled down to sees if it removes colour etc.
Leaving the blind to air dry after cleaning to help prevent further outbreaks or smells from forming
Time for New Blinds?
If, even after a deep clean, your blind is still discoloured, mouldy or have blemishes and defects, it might be time to consider replacing your roller blinds.
You can choose luxury roller blind fabric from our selection and have a made-to-measure roller blind, perfect for the windows where you need it, delivered to your door.
Take a look through our favourite fabrics for roller blinds and order your bespoke roller blind online.
We can offer luxury made to measure roller blinds to suit any room in any style and pattern. Choose your favourites and order online today.
Founder and owner of Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics. Vanessa creates content around fabric types, blind styles and curtain designs to best suit the needs of Vanessa Arbuthnott customers.
