How to Clean Wooden Blinds Step by Step

Knowing how to clean your wooden blinds is essential to making them last for years to come. Plus, it helps you with keeping your window dressings pristine.

Depending on their indoor environment, blinds are often exposed to dust, grease, pollen, and bacteria, as well as strong UV rays from the outdoors. Wooden blinds are especially prone to dust due to the slats lying horizontally. However, cleaning wooden blinds and getting them to look good as new again couldn’t be easier.

Whether you’re looking for the best way to clean wooden blinds, how to clean wooden venetian blinds or how to clean wooden blinds with tapes, all without taking them down, we cover it all in our comprehensive guide.

What is the best way to clean Wooden Blinds?
How do you keep Wooden Blinds dust free?
How to clean dirty wooden blinds?
How to clean faux wooden blinds
Should you take your wooden blinds down to clean them?
How to clean wooden blinds with tapes
How to clean white wooden blinds that have turned yellow
Top Tips for Cleaning Wooden Blinds
Our favourite products to clean wooden blinds

What is the best way to clean Wooden Blinds?

The easiest method for cleaning wooden blinds is to dust them frequently as part of your regular cleaning routine! Simply open the slats and run a soft feather duster or microfibre cloth along each one.

Keeping on top of any dust will keep your blinds looking new and prevent any build-up of dirt. For more tips on thoroughly dusting your blinds keep reading!

How do you keep Wooden Blinds dust free?

Regularly dusting your wooden venetian blinds has many fantastic benefits. It not only keeps them in prime condition but can also improve the air quality in your home and reduce allergens.

Follow our step-by-step guide below to find out how to dust wood blinds:

Start with the slats closed and the blind fully lowered.
Going from top to bottom, lightly wipe or dust in a downwards motion so as not to catch or push any of the slats in a direction they are not intended to move.
Now, open the slats and rotate them in the opposite direction so that they are fully closed again but with the other side of the slats facing you.
This time you should lightly wipe or dust in an upwards motion.
If you want to be more thorough with your cleaning, we suggest lowering the blind fully and opening them, so they sit horizontally. This time use your duster or microfibre cloth to wipe each slat individually. It’s best to start from the middle of each slat and work out to each side as opposed to going from one side to the other.

How to clean dirty wooden blinds?

If your wooden blinds need more than a light dusting, you need to work harder to get them looking new again. If you need to give your blind a more thorough clean then don’t worry, we have you covered! Our step-by-step guide below will tell you exactly how to clean heavily soiled wooden blinds.

Begin by using a duster or microfibre cloth to wipe away any surface dust as outlined above.
If you can spot clean then start by using a soft, damp cloth to remove any dirt from the slats. Make sure you wring out your cloth thoroughly, so no water is left on the slats themselves.
If you need to clean the whole blind, then follow the steps above on how to keep your wooden blinds dust free. This time use a damp cloth to wipe each slat instead of your dry cloth or duster.
Make sure to rinse and wring out your cloth regularly to ensure you’re not moving dirt or grime around on the slats.

As mentioned, we advise that you try your best to ensure that you do not soak the blind with water. Pay particular attention to the very ends of the slats which often don’t have any paint or coating covering them. This means they will be more susceptible to water which may result in your blind warping over time.

If you do notice some excess water or moisture left on the slats then dry it off with a clean, dry cloth.

We also advise leaving the window behind your blind open for 2-3 hours to ensure it dries fully!

How to clean faux wooden blinds

Good News: your faux wood blinds can be cleaned exactly like real wood blinds. Just follow the step-by-step guides above. As faux wood blinds are made from PVC, they are not susceptible to water. However, we still advise to only use a damp, well-wrung out microfibre cloth when cleaning with a gentle detergent or warm soapy water.

Should you take your wooden blinds down to clean them?

It’s much easier to clean your wooden blinds while they’re hanging up. The only time we advise taking your blind down to clean it is if you need to get into the blind’s headrail. This would only happen in the rare case that your blind gets jammed. This may happen if it has been left in the same position, in a mucky environment for a long period of time. This can cause a build-up of dirt or grime on the mechanisms which will then need cleaned. Unless this is the case, there isn’t much benefit in taking your wooden blind down to clean it. It won’t result in a more thorough clean, it will only make it more difficult.

How to clean wooden blinds with tapes

Are you wondering how to clean those tricky decorative tapes on your wooden blind? It’s simpler than you think!

Whilst the slats can be cleaned the same way as cleaning wooden blinds without tapes, the fabric tapes may need cleaned too as they are more prone to attracting dirt.

If you notice a few small marks on the tapes, then we advise spot cleaning these using one of the options below:

Use a soft, damp cloth in clean water (no soap!) to gently wash off any marks. This is the first method you should try.
If water alone fails to remove the mark, then we advise adding a small amount of mild, diluted washing detergent that you would normally use on delicate clothes.
If you still can’t seem to remove any marks from the fabric, then you could try one of our more inventive solutions. Take a white pencil rubber and lightly rub the mark in question, this will often remove it.
Please note, it is important that you use only a white rubber if you try this method. We also suggest that you spot-test the rubber in a discreet area of the tape to ensure it won’t discolour the fabric.

If spot cleaning just won’t cut it and the entire length of the tapes need cleaned, then take a fabric cleaning wipe or a damp cloth to clean them. Followed by a dry cloth to dry them off afterwards. Just follow the steps below:

First, lower the blind fully and open the slats horizontally.
Next, with your wipe or damp cloth you can wipe the tape gently in one direction or blot over the tape until clean, being careful to support the back of the tape with one hand.
Then, use your dry cloth to blot off any moisture left on the tapes.
Once again, we advise that once you have finished cleaning the blind and tapes that you leave the window behind open for 2-3 hours. This allows the blind to fully dry.

How to clean white wooden blinds that have turned yellow

If your white wooden blind has discoloured over the years and has turned that awful shade of yellow, don’t worry! We know how to make your wooden blinds look new again.

First, you need to determine the cause of discolouration, there are 3 main culprits:

Nicotine staining from cigarette smoke.
A build-up of grease and oil (usually from cooking if your blinds are in your kitchen)
Long term damage from UV rays and sun exposure.

The most common cause of yellow staining on wooden blinds is usually a build-up of grease or nicotine staining. These can be returned to their pristine white shade quite easily. Just follow our cleaning guides above to get them looking good as new!

If your wooden blinds have yellowed due to long term sun exposure unfortunately there isn’t much that can be done other than repainting the slats. This is more likely to be the case if you have an older wooden blind. Newer, modern wooden blinds are usually treated with specialist UV protection that is built into the surface. This means these should not discolour with sun exposure.

How how to clean fabric tape on blinds

Fabric tape is an essential part of many blinds, and it can become dirty over time due to dust, dirt, and general wear and tear. Cleaning fabric tape is a simple process that can be done using a few household items. Firstly, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dirt or debris from the fabric tape. Then, mix a solution of warm water and mild detergent in a bucket. Dip a clean, soft cloth in the solution and gently wipe the fabric tape. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or scrub too hard, as this can damage the fabric tape. Rinse the cloth in clean water and wring it out, then wipe the fabric tape again to remove any detergent residue. Finally, use a dry cloth to blot the fabric tape and allow it to air dry completely.

It’s important to clean fabric tape regularly to keep it looking its best and to ensure that it functions properly. Over time, dirt and grime can build up on the fabric tape, causing it to become stiff or discoloured. Regular cleaning can help to prevent this and ensure that the fabric tape remains in good condition. By following these simple steps, you can easily clean fabric tape on your blinds and keep them looking great for years to come.

How to clean wooden venetian blinds

Wooden Venetian blinds add a touch of elegance and warmth to any room, but they can become dirty over time and lose their shine. To clean wooden Venetian blinds, start by closing the slats and using a soft-bristled brush or vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or debris. For tougher dirt and stains, use a damp cloth to wipe the slats, being careful not to get the wood too wet. Avoid using too much water or harsh cleaning products, as these can damage the wood or cause it to warp. Once you have wiped the slats, use a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture and allow the blinds to air dry completely before opening them back up.

Regular cleaning and maintenance is key to keeping your wooden Venetian blinds looking their best. Avoid using abrasive materials or cleaning solutions that contain alcohol or ammonia, as these can damage the wood. Instead, use a gentle, natural wooden blind cleaner such as a mixture of water and vinegar, or a specialised wood cleaning product. By taking good care of your wooden Venetian blinds, you can ensure that they stay beautiful and functional for years to come.

Tips for Cleaning Wooden Blinds

Use a non-acidic, gentle detergent wooden blind cleaner
White vinegar can also be used as an alternative to detergent, acting as a handy disinfectant!
You can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment and light suction to remove dust from your blinds.
Remove any moisture or residue on the blind with a dry cloth or kitchen roll.
Leave your window open once you have cleaned your blinds to allow them to dry fully.
Always be careful when using water on real wooden blinds.
Dust your blinds regularly to keep them looking new!
Remove grease or oil marks by adding a splash of dish soap to your warm water.
Use rubber gloves when cleaning to avoid any skin irritation.

Our favourite product to clean wooden blinds

You don’t need any special tools to clean wooden blinds. Most of the supplies you need can be found around your home!

We recommend:

Microfibre cloths, one to clean and others to dry.
Warm, clean water.
Non acidic, gentle washing detergent.
Gentle washing up liquid, great for removing grease!
White vinegar (just a splash) as an effective wooden blind cleaner

You may also be interested in our other comprehensive ‘How to Clean Blinds’ articles here:

Recent Post

How to Clean Wooden Blinds