The Best Way To Clean Roller Shade Window Coverings

When it comes to common window treatment types, roller shades are a popular window covering for various reasons. They create a sleek, modern aesthetic thanks to their flat and inconspicuous design, which works well in all sorts of room styles, from mid-century modern to industrial. They also tend to be more affordable since they don't have slats, and are also considered easier to clean because you don't have to dust each individual strip of wood or plastic. However, while they might be easier to clean, they still require monthly upkeep to ensure they continue looking brand new and pristine. There is nothing worse than pulling down a roller shade only to reveal a grimy and discolored surface. Luckily, cleaning them is pretty straightforward. 

The method depends on what material your roller shade is made from. If it's made from vinyl, a wet method is best to give it a thorough scrubbing. However, you won't have to bust out any specialty products to get it sparkling. Instead, all you will need is some good, old-fashioned soap and water. However, if you have fabric roller shades, you want to avoid getting them wet. Instead, you can clean them with a vacuum attachment to remove the dust embedded in the weave. Here is an in-depth look at how to clean your roller shades.

If you have vinyl roller shades, they can handle a wet clean. If it has been years since you last cleaned them, brushing them down with a vacuum attachment will help you remove most of the dust and grime in one go. If your vacuum allows you to use different suction speeds, make sure you use the lowest one so that the blind doesn't get pulled into the hose and crinkle.

Once the worst of the dust is removed, you can wipe the blinds down with a solution of water and dish soap. You want to avoid using any harsh or scratchy cleaners since they can potentially damage the vinyl coating. Ensure you only add a few drops into a gallon of water so that you don't leave behind soapy residue or tacky film on the shade. Using a microfiber cloth, dunk it into the bucket and wring it out thoroughly; it should be damp rather than dripping wet. Wipe down the entire surface of the roller shade. For an even deeper clean, do the same to the back of the blinds since dust will have accumulated on that surface as well. Leave it down until it completely air dries.

Fabric roller shades should not come into contact with soap or water unless you're spot-treating a stain, so it's best to do a dry clean for routine maintenance. This is when you should use your vacuum cleaner to clean blinds. To do so, grab your vacuum and attach a brush attachment onto the hose. If your vacuum has different suction levels, set it to the lowest one to prevent the window covering from being sucked into the hose or crinkled. Vacuum the length of the blinds, ensuring you do so to both the front and the back of the window treatment.

If there is a stain on your fabric roller shades, use a gentle laundry detergent or stain remover to lift the blemish. If they have an odor that you want to remove, the process will be a little more involved. You will have to remove the blinds from the windows, lay them flat on a table or the floor, and sprinkle baking soda over their entire surface. For an even coating, pour the baking soda through a sifter. Allow the powder to sit on the cloth overnight, and then use either a handheld vacuum or hose brush attachment to get it clean.