How To Care For Your Wooden Blinds

Posted on 21st October 2014 by Gemini Blinds

Those shiny new wooden blinds, whether finished in a natural wood look or painted, will require more regular maintenance than their plastic or aluminium counterparts. The more love and attention you can give these blinds, especially from new, the longer they will last before cleaning becomes more of a chore.

Not for the bathroom

Blinds can be used anywhere in the house, but it is not recommended to fit wooden blinds in the bathroom. Wood, no matter how well it seems to be sealed, will absorb moisture. With the clouds of steam they are subject to everyday in a bathroom, within a short period the slats will begin to twist and warp. There are many lookalike wood plastic blinds available, which can be substituted, if you want wood-like blinds in the bathroom.

Cleaning from new wooden blinds

Because of the risk of moisture soaking into the slats, wooden blinds should never be cleaned with cloths full of soapy water. Many people prefer to use an anti-static cloth to wipe across each slat when dusting the blinds, or you could even use a good quality, soft bristle paint brush.

Kept specifically for the job, with the slats opened, each slat can be brushed side to side; top and underneath. Start at the top, so the dust falls onto the slat below. Repeating as you go down until the dust just needs to be wiped from the window sill.

Should the room be prone to dust, a quick wipe over with an anti-static cloth will help keep the dust down for longer.

Cleaning wooden blinds in kitchen

The exception to this is if you have fitted wooden blinds in the kitchen, especially if the window is near the cooking hobs and fryers. No matter how efficient your extractors, a thin film of grease will eventually start to lie on the slats.

Now things become a little more problematic. Brushing or using a dry cloth, will only push the accumulated dust into the grease. Making your blinds look patchy and grubby.

Bypass the cloth or brush and use a good quality, but mild, wood furniture degreaser. Don’t spray directly onto slats but lightly dampen a clean cloth and spray a small amount onto the cloth. Rub the cloth together to spread the degreaser, then wipe each slat a couple of times.

Provided you haven’t left the blinds for too long to accumulate layers of grease, this should remove the grease. Allow to dry completely then wipe over with your dry anti-static cloth.

Old wooden blinds

If you’ve inherited some really old, tatty looking blinds they can be refurbished by staining, varnishing or painting. A basic knowledge of DIY is a good idea before undertaking this.

Remove the blinds and lay them on an old sheet or tarpaulin. Lift the bottom slat and remove the plugs or screws. Undo or cut the knot in the cord and draw the cord through the remaining slats, using the top slat. Prepare each slat prior to varnishing or painting, as you would any other piece of woodwork.

Use a good quality stain, varnish or enamel paint, applied by brush. Allow to dry and turn the slats to complete the other side. Once you are happy with the result, reverse the dismantling process and re-knot the cord.

Voila, one set of old wooden blinds with a new lease of life.

Written by Gemini Blinds, the leading supplier of blinds in the North West.