Vertical blinds are perfect for dressing wide windows, doorways, plus more, with long, rotatable louvres that hang down from the headrail and can even be pulled to a neat stack for a clear, outside view. Here, we’ve got everything you need to keep them looking as good as new, including cleaning vertical blinds, panel blinds and privacy sheers. Whether you’re looking for tips for dusting or how to remove stains from vertical blinds, find out below.
Preparing to Clean Your Vertical Blinds
Here’s a checklist of everything you need for cleaning your vertical blinds, panel blinds, or privacy sheers:
For dusting:
- A microfibre cloth or feather duster
- Vacuum with a soft brush attachment
- Soft bristle toothbrush for dusting in between the headrail and the vertical louvres
- A lint roller
For removing marks and stains
- Warm water
- Detergent-free soap
- A soft sponge
- A microfibre cloth
- Clean towels to place the affected louvres on
How to Clean Dust From Vertical Blinds
One of the simplest ways to keep your vertical blinds clean for longer is by dusting them on a regular basis:
Steps for Dusting Vertical Blinds
- Close the blinds fully so the louvres overlap each-other.
- Starting at the top, work in a downward motion on the fabric using a microfiber cloth or a feather duster. Microfibre cloths are incredibly effective at removing dust build up.
- Rotate the louvres to expose the other side and repeat the same process.
- To collect any loose dust between the headrail and louvres, take a soft bristled toothbrush and gently brush across the surface underneath of the headrail.
While this process works for regular light dusting, if you’re looking to remove pet hair, we recommend taking a lint roller and gently wiping up and down the fabric. For any loose dust or hair that’s fallen onto the floor, simply vacuum it up and you’re good to go!
How to Clean Marks and Stains from Vertical Blinds
Cleaning marks and stains from vertical blinds is much easier than you think, especially if your vertical blinds are made from PVC.
Spot Cleaning Small Stains on PVC Louvres:
- Prepare your louvres for cleaning by removing them from the headrail, then lay them on a clean towel.
- Dampen a soft cloth or sponge with warm soapy water.
- Gently dab or wipe the stained area – avoid circular scrubbing or pressing too firmly on the material.
- Allow the louvre to fully dry, then re-hook it to the headrail.
Tips for Cleaning Fabric Vertical Blinds Safely
Fabric vertical blinds need a gentler approach than PVC:
- Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with warm, soapy water (use mild dish soap only).
- Spot-clean the fabric louvres by dabbing with warm, soapy water—never scrub them to avoid discolouration or fraying.
- Blot the fabric with a dry cloth immediately to lift moisture.
- Allow the material to air dry in a well ventilated space such as next to an open window, and reattach the louvres.
Cleaning Panel Blinds & Privacy Sheers
Panel blinds (also known as panel glides or sliding panel blinds) feature wider fabric or material than traditional designs, and are often used in large doorways leading to the garden. Similarly, privacy sheers are often common in large door windows, and combine the functionality of a vertical blind with sheer or translucent fabric for softened light when drawn to.
Panel blinds generally follow the same cleaning method as PVC and fabric vertical blinds. To dust panel blinds, using a microfibre cloth should capture all of the dust, and to treat stains, you can still spot clean the fabric with a damp cloth.
To clean privacy sheers, as the material is slightly more delicate, it’s important to hold the fabric from behind while dusting and spot cleaning. To treat marks and stains, dab the affected area gently with a lightly dampened microfibre cloth, then allow the material to air dry.
And that’s it, your vertical blinds are as good as new! If you have any other blinds that need freshening? Check out our blinds cleaning guide, with useful cleaning tips for all kinds of blinds!
