Venetian blinds collect dust quickly and are notoriously awkward to clean. The key is matching the method to how dirty they are — a quick dusting works for light build-up, but greasy kitchen blinds need a soak.
Light Dust — In Place
- Close the blinds fully, slats tilted one direction
- Wipe each slat from top to bottom with a dry microfibre cloth, duster, or the brush attachment of a vacuum
- Rotate the slats the other direction and repeat
An old sock on your hand works well — slide it along each slat. This takes a few minutes and should be done every 1–2 weeks to prevent heavy build-up.
Medium Grime — Damp Wipe
- Close the blinds
- Dampen a cloth with warm water and a small amount of dish soap
- Wipe each slat on both sides
- Follow with a clean damp cloth to rinse, then a dry cloth
- Allow to dry before opening — moisture trapped between closed slats can cause warping on wood blinds
Heavy Grease (Kitchen Blinds) — Bathtub Soak
- Remove the blinds from the brackets
- Fill the bathtub with warm water and a generous squirt of dish soap
- Submerge the blinds and let soak for 15–20 minutes
- Use a sponge or soft brush to scrub each slat
- Drain and rinse by running clean water over the blinds (or use the shower head)
- Hang over the shower rail or outdoors to drip dry before reinstalling
Do NOT soak real wood blinds in water — they will warp and crack. Faux-wood (PVC) and aluminum blinds can be soaked. For wood blinds, use only a barely damp cloth and dry immediately.
Tips
- For kitchen blinds: take them down and soak them every 3–6 months — cooking oils build up fast near a stove
- A light dusting every 1–2 weeks prevents the need for intensive cleaning
- Compressed air (canned duster) works well for getting dust out of the hardware at the top of the headrail
- Microfibre tongs (a cloth secured around both handles of kitchen tongs) let you clean both sides of each slat in one pass