How to clean blinds and curtains without taking them down
To clean blinds without taking them down, close the slats flat, dust or vacuum them from the top down with a brush attachment, then flip them the other way and do the back. Wipe any grey slats with a damp microfiber cloth and dry them. For curtains, vacuum them in place every month and wash or dry-clean them only as the care label allows.
Blinds and curtains catch the dust that comes in the window. In the city, that's street grime and pollen as well as house dust.
What do you need?
- A vacuum with a brush attachment and an upholstery tool
- Microfiber cloths, or a cotton sock you can wear over your hand
- A small bowl of warm water with a drop of dish soap
- White vinegar, for greasy kitchen blinds
- A step stool
- An old towel for the window sill
How do you clean horizontal blinds?
- Close the slats flat, so they make one surface.
- Dust or vacuum top to bottom with the brush attachment, along the slats, not across them.
- Flip the slats the other way and do the back.
- Wipe the grey ones. Dampen a microfiber cloth in the soapy water, wring it well, and wipe each slat from the middle out, holding the slat with your other hand. A sock on your hand works too.
- Dry with a dry cloth so water doesn't spot.
- Wipe the headrail and the cords, then the sill and the window frame underneath.
Do wood blinds need different care?
Yes. Real wood blinds warp and stain if they get wet. Dust or vacuum them, and use a cloth that's barely damp, followed right away by a dry one. Faux-wood blinds can take a damp cloth but shouldn't be soaked.
How do you clean really dirty blinds?
Vinyl and aluminum blinds can come down and go in the tub. Lay an old towel in the bottom so they don't scratch it, cover them with warm water and a little dish soap, and soak for half an hour. Rinse, shake off the water and hang them back up open to dry, with a towel on the sill. Kitchen blinds with grease on them may need a wipe with equal parts white vinegar and warm water before the soak.
How do you clean vertical blinds and shades?
- Vertical blinds: turn them so they're closed, vacuum top to bottom, then wipe each vane with a damp cloth. Fabric vanes get vacuumed and spot-cleaned only.
- Roller shades: pull them all the way down and vacuum, then wipe vinyl shades with a damp cloth. Fabric shades get vacuumed.
- Cellular or honeycomb shades: vacuum with the brush attachment on low, and blow dust out of the cells with a hair dryer on cool.
How do you clean curtains?
Start with the care label. Then:
- Vacuum in place monthly with the upholstery tool, top to bottom, both sides.
- Shake them out outside if they come down easily.
- Wash what the label allows, on a gentle cycle in cool water, and hang them back up slightly damp so creases fall out.
- Dry-clean lined, heavy or delicate curtains, and anything the label says to.
- Wipe the rod and the brackets while the curtains are down.
Light, sheer curtains near a radiator or a window unit can hold dust and smells, so they may need washing more often.
How often should you clean them?
| What | How often |
|---|---|
| Dust or vacuum blinds | Every week or two |
| Damp wipe blinds | Every few months |
| Vacuum curtains | Monthly |
| Wash or dry-clean curtains | Once or twice a year, as the label allows |
For the glass behind them, see our inside window cleaning guide, and our dust and allergens post covers the rest of the house.
Want help with it?
Book Deep Cleaning online. If blinds are a priority, ask about them when you book and put them in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you dust blinds? Close the slats flat, vacuum them with the brush attachment from the top down, then turn them the other way and do the other side. Finish with a damp microfiber cloth on any slats that still look grey.
How do you clean really dirty blinds? Take vinyl or aluminum blinds down and soak them in a tub of warm water with a little dish soap, then rinse and hang them to dry. Don't soak wood or faux-wood blinds; wipe them instead.
How do you clean curtains without washing them? Vacuum them in place with the upholstery or brush attachment, top to bottom, every month or so. A handheld steamer freshens many fabrics, but check the care label first.
How often should you clean blinds and curtains? Dust or vacuum blinds every week or two and give them a damp wipe every few months. Vacuum curtains monthly and wash or dry-clean them as the label allows, once or twice a year.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
