About Jean Singleton Expertise After many years of being a professional housekeeper it is now my hobby to clean, clean, clean using low cost or make it yourself products that work better than most brand name items! I can help solve problems that seem as serious as large amounts of candle wax spilled on a new rug!
Experience Owned restaurants and cleaning services for 20 years.
Question hi. My white mini-blinds are just over 1 year old. I dust frequently however they are now at a point when dusting does not remove all the visible dirt or grime or whatever. They are beginning to look old & they make my windows look dirty (to me anyway). What is the best way to give them a bath & with what solution? I dont want to scratch or damage them at all, but simply dusting (even blind-at-a-time) doesnt do the trick!! Thanx, shelli
Answer Hi Shelli! For general cleaning fill a spray bottle half full with water add a squirt or two of Ivory Liquid dish soap, (Ivory will not leave a residue like other dish soaps) then finish filling with water. Ivory is inexpensive and makes a great all-purpose cleaner. Spray on a lint-free towel. Turn the slats toward you and wipe down going easy so you don't bend the slats. Reverse the slats, walk around behind the blinds and wipe once more. It only takes few minutes, so clean one set every time you dust to avoid that miserable buildup. If your blinds have reached the Cape of No Hope, removal becomes necessary. Pull up the tabs on each end and slide the blinds out. If the blind refuses to slide out, heat with a hair dryer for a few minutes. The heat expands the metal and they pull right out. Work early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid water-spotting problems. Hammer two nails into the outside of your home (or a tall fence if you have one) and hang the blinds from the nails. Don't worry, it only takes a year for your neighbors to regain their composure from the laughter. Spray the blinds with a foaming bathroom cleaner (Dow is a good one)(or try Fantastic). Spray the pull cords with (plain, white) shaving cream. When the dirt has left the scene of the grime flip the blind over, reverse the slats and spray again. Hose them down with water if necessary Wipe with a clean very damp sponge and dry on a large bath towel. If the weather is bad you can always to the same thing in the bathtub but it makes a little more of a mess! Please let me know how you make out!
Have a great evening.
Jean
