How to Clean Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood blinds are easier to clean than you might imagine, and there are several different methods you can use. For normal everyday cleaning, the blinds require nothing more than a quick dusting. For tougher jobs, most professional cleaners recommend using a similar routine that consists of wiping, cleaning with a solution and drying. Follow the steps below to get your dirty faux wood blinds back to like-new condition with the least amount of effort.

Things You'll Need:

Clean cloth, feather duster or vacuum cleaner with blind attachment
Dish washing detergent
Warm water
Bucket or basin
Clean washcloth
Clean towels

Steps:
1. Wipe your faux wood blinds gently with a soft, clean cotton cloth or feather duster, or for the best results, vacuum them using the blind attachment on your vacuum cleaner. This helps remove as much external debris as possible before moving on with the cleaning process. You can likely stop at this step if your blinds aren't very dirty. If they require more elbow grease, however, continue with the next steps.

2. Remove your faux wood blinds from the window and lay them on a flat surface. If you have large blinds, it may be best to take them outside and lay them on a clean sheet or plastic tarp for cleaning.

3. Combine 1 tbsp. dish washing detergent with about a gallon of warm water in a bucket or basin you can place near the blinds. Swish the liquid around with gloved hands to mix it well. Pour some of the mixture into a spray bottle.

4. Spray your faux wood blinds thoroughly with the cleaning solution, and allow it to stand for 3 to 4 minutes. After a little time has passed, wipe down each individual slat with a clean washcloth to remove any accumulated dirt or debris from the blinds.

5. Dry your blinds thoroughly with clean towels, removing all moisture before re-hanging them. If you allow them to remain wet or hang them while they're still damp, you may cause mold or mildew, which will ruin your blinds.

Faux Blinds Cleaning Tips:

A dustbuster or vacuum cleaner hose attachment used on your faux wood blinds once or twice a week will minimize the number of times you need to take them down and give them a thorough cleaning. Even with dusting, however, you'll probably need to give the blinds a good scrubbing about three or four times a year to keep them looking their best.