Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Flip

Original poster

Venetian blinds - what is the quickest way to clean?

25 replies

Washersaurus · 29/11/2007 23:01

because I have 6 of the damn things and they are all absolutely revoltingly filthy and I don't have time to spend carefully wiping each slat individually.

Tips gratefully received....

thank you

OP posts:

fryalot · 29/11/2007 23:02

take them down and put them in the dishwasher?

Original poster

Washersaurus · 29/11/2007 23:05

Hmmm we are talking big bay window size wooden blinds unfortunately.

OP posts:

snice · 29/11/2007 23:06

Put some thin gloves on, dampen them and then run your hands along the slats.

ivykaty44 · 29/11/2007 23:06

We used to have these things at work and we would close them and then mop them then close them the other way around and mop over them again. As we had to do them every couple of weeks they were never that dirty and could do with a dry mop. If dirty then i have no idea - buy curtains as much easier to put in washing machine?

sallystrawberry · 29/11/2007 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Washersaurus · 29/11/2007 23:14

Ahh I thought that would be the case . I have tried wiping them over one side and then the other with a damp cloth but it takes ages

We have to have these blinds as otherwise it feels like we are putting on a show for the neighbours directly opposite, and we have one particularly nosey neighbour who just stands and stares in through the window for prolonged periods...quite unnerving!

OP posts:

WiFi · 29/11/2007 23:23

You can buy a cleaner from Lakeland which has individual finger type bits which go through 5 slats at a time. I have bought this as a present for a friend of mine who is into housework in a big way and she was thrilled!

Original poster

Washersaurus · 29/11/2007 23:31

PMSL at 'into housework in a big way'

They do sound useful - are they expensive? (I know I should just google it and look myself but its late)

OP posts:

pageturner · 30/11/2007 00:20

I'm so sad, I really perked up at this thread title, as I've been wondering this myself. So, off I went to Google and here it is: www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!20167

WiFi · 30/11/2007 00:25

Yes, sadly, my friend was so excited at the prospect of it, she happened to be at mine when the postie delivered and practically ripped it out of my hands. It was meant to be for Christmas I wailed. But she was sat there with a Euphoric look on her face...... there are some very strange people in this world.

LadyOfWaffle · 30/11/2007 00:26

Was going to say the 'fingered' cleaner thingy, but someone beat me to it I think I saw one in Argos.

TimeForMe · 30/11/2007 12:00

Hang them over the washing line and give them a blast with ahose pipe or jet washer!

Oblomov · 30/11/2007 12:06

Is Lakeland the only place that does one ? Dh keeps going on and on at me to do ours, and I can't muster up the ..... although I don't have a problem cleaning anything else

cremolafoam · 30/11/2007 12:08

kim and aggie method:
half fill bath with warm soapy water
plunge blinds inot the water and leave for 30 mins.
using an old toothbrush gently wash with shampoo or washing up liquid.
drain the bath
wait 30 mins to let blinds drip dry
wipe dry with a soft cloth

ProjectTartanArmyIcarus · 30/11/2007 17:54

i like the sound of cf's one but mine are wooden,

blossomsmine · 01/12/2007 22:38

Anyone know how you get them down......?

hotbot · 02/12/2007 07:54

yes i do cfs one but i dont soak them, just shower them down and mine are wooden and they come up fine.

bossybritches · 02/12/2007 08:05

Oblomov if your DH is so bothered by them tell him to get his pinny on.....

WiFi- sniggered at the friend is she a fly-lady type?

Original poster

Washersaurus · 02/12/2007 21:24

I'm not sure my cheapy ikea blinds would stand up to being hosed or showered, but I like the idea.

Looks like I'll be adding the essential Lakeland cleaner to my Christmas list

OP posts:

hotbot · 03/12/2007 19:22

mine are the white ikea blinds, put it in the kitchen - big mistske,

FrostyGlassSlipper · 03/12/2007 22:07

I close mine and dust them and then close the other way and dust them. Do it once a week and they dont get grubby.

8D2n4NX87bF6TdL · 28/09/2019 17:16

for metal blinds: hang them up in the shower. spray with clean water to loosen the dirt. spray with bike cleaner (buy from a bike shop, it degreases). leave ten minutes. rinse down with the shower, they will be like new. I have8, do them once a year, takes about an hour.

user1497787065 · 30/09/2019 21:18

If they are just dusty a tumble dryer sheet does a fab job. Thank you Mrs Hinch

Mollypolly2610 · 02/10/2019 00:20

B and M have the finger thingys!

cardamoncoffee · 04/10/2019 09:59

I'm in a rental and all of the windows have them They are the old metal ones and the last time I took them down to clean them I saw the installation sticker from 1991, so you can imagine the state of them.

The finger thing only lightly dusts them, so if they are dirty or greasy in any way it won't work. I have a jacuzzi bath and thought that would bring them up a treat, but it doesn't, you need to scrub them to get dirt/marks off and rinse really well otherwise the dirt runs from the top and the bottom slats get it.

I found the best way was to take them into the back garden, lay an old rug on the floor then the blinds and with a brush 'brush' warm soapy water with white vinegar into them (turn them over and repeat the other side) leave for a while, then suspend the blinds over the washing line and hose off soap. I do this every summer and they still look a filthy mess. I'd actually rather have net curtains!

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread