How to Clean and Maintain Roller Blinds

External blinds and shutters are becoming an increasingly popular solution not only in offices but also in homes. Owners of houses, apartments and townhouses are all deciding to choose them more and more. Although we associate external blinds primarily with burglar protection, they also have many other useful properties. They provide lower temperatures on hot days, thermal insulation, help protect privacy, and reduce noise inside the building. 

Good quality blinds and shutters certainly have a long lifespan. Nevertheless, for this to happen, it is necessary to invest in high-quality products and to take care of them so that they work well and do not get damaged. For this purpose, proper maintenance and service is essential. So how do you clean and maintain blinds and shutters the right way? This is what you will learn from the following article.

What Is the Best Way to Clean Roller Blinds?

Blinds, as we wrote at the beginning, are an indispensable part of many homes and flats, serving both decorative and practical functions. They protect from the sun and provide privacy, but over time they collect dust and become dirty, which can be particularly stubborn with roof windows. Regular cleaning is therefore crucial to maintain their functionality and aesthetics for many years.

Roller blinds can be made of different materials and may take different forms, the most popular of which are:

• Day-night blinds,

• Automatic roller blinds,

• Roller blinds,

• Fabric roller blinds,

• Roman blinds,

• Pleated blinds.

Each type of roller shutter requires an individual approach to cleaning, depending on the material and construction. Therefore, before you start cleaning, it is worth reading the producer's instructions, which may contain valuable care tips.

It's also important to remember that many roller blinds are made of fabrics coated with a special extra layer that protects them from dirt, moisture and sunlight, as well as helping them retain their shape. For this reason, when cleaning, be careful not to damage this protective coating.

How Often Should Roller Blinds Be Cleaned for Optimal Maintenance?

Regular maintenance of outdoor blinds and shutters is crucial to their long-term operation and effectiveness. It is recommended to perform basic maintenance at least once a year, depending on the level of exposure to dirt. In areas with higher air pollution, such as around busy roads, it is worth increasing the frequency of cleaning to at least twice a year. This is also when internal roof window blinds work better, especially in the loft.

Regular servicing allows you to quickly detect and repair any minor defects before they develop into more serious problems. So if you notice any irregularities in the operation of the guards, do not delay maintenance to avoid costly repairs in the future.

When cleaning roller blinds and shutters, it is important not to do it in below-zero temperatures, as soggy components during cleaning can lead to water freezing and significant damage. Therefore, maintenance is best carried out in spring and summer, when the risk of frost is minimal. In this way, you will ensure the long and trouble-free operation of your covers.

What Are the Best Tools and Products for Cleaning Roller Blinds?

It is recommended to use water mixed with a mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid or liquid soap, to clean the exterior blinds. Do not use strong cleaners, as they can damage the paint finish of the roller shutters and lead to corrosion. In particular, avoid agents containing substances such as aromatic gasoline hydrocarbons, gasoline, chlorinated hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, ketones, acids and organic solvents. 

Use a soft, gentle sponge or towel to clean the roller blinds, which will not scratch or damage their surface. Never use rough brushes, wire cleaners or other sharp tools that can cause scratches and other damage. This will ensure that you keep your clean blinds for a long time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Stains from Roller Blinds

Before cleaning greasy stains on a roller blind, check the material from which it is made and the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations. Natural fabrics are aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly, but more difficult to clean. Many greasy stains can be removed with a damp cloth, as the fabric's protective coating usually prevents grease from penetrating deep into the fibres.

It is best to proceed immediately, using a soft sponge or microfibre cloth soaked in water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. It is important to keep the accessories damp, not wet. Gently rub the stain and let the blind dry. Dishwashing liquid will dissolve the grease just as it does on dishes. Do not press hard or use rough scrubbing tools. The movements should be adapted to the arrangement of the fabric fibres.

Alternatively, you can use a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar with a drop of dishwashing liquid. Before using this mixture on the entire stain try it on a small section of the blind to make sure it won't damage the fabric. Another homemade method is lukewarm water with a little laundry detergent. After cleaning the stain, use a clean cloth soaked in water to remove any residual detergent, and let the blind dry completely.

How to Prevent Dust Build-Up on Blinds?

Regular cleaning of roller blinds is fundamental to prevent dust gathering. First of all, it's a good idea to vacuum your blinds regularly for this purpose, using a brush for delicate surfaces or a special vacuum cleaner nozzle designed for cleaning fabrics. This will remove dust particles before they have time to accumulate.

The next step is to use anti-static fabric cleaners. They are available in the form of sprays that form a dust-repelling layer on the surface of the blind. Using such a product every few weeks can significantly reduce the amount of settled dust. It is also worth remembering to ventilate the room. Frequent ventilation and the maintenance of adequate humidity help reduce the floating of dust. 

Also remember that with interior blinds, the fewer objects in the room, the less dust. A minimalist approach to interior design, therefore, not only makes cleaning easier but also reduces the places where dust can accumulate.

Do's and Don'ts of Roller Blind Maintenance

In addition to regular cleaning, blinds and shutters also require regular maintenance. Inspection and servicing is recommended every six months. While you can do this yourself, it is worth considering using a professional company, especially if any defects or damage are discovered. Some manufacturers require blinds to be checked by qualified service technicians to maintain the warranty.

With proper maintenance and regular inspections, exterior roller shutters will serve us without fail for many years. They are extremely practical - in the summer they improve the thermal insulation of the house or apartment, protecting the interior from excessive heat. In detached houses, external roller shutters can also serve a protective function, deterring potential burglars. If you want additional protection against burglary, it is worth considering the purchase of anti-burglary roller shutters with RC3 resistance class.

Tips for Prolonging the Life of Your Blinds

To make roller blinds function for many years, it is worth following a few simple rules:

• Regular cleaning is key - removing dust and dirt every few weeks prevents the accumulation of dirt that could damage the material. 

• Use soft cloths and mild detergents to avoid damaging the surface. 

• Remember to regularly inspect and maintain your mechanisms. Every six months, check that all parts are working properly and lubricate moving parts if the manufacturer recommends it. 

• Avoid overstretching the blinds when using them - gentle raising and lowering will prevent premature wear of the mechanisms.

• Installing sun shades can help protect the blinds from intense UV radiation, which can cause the material to fade.

• Avoid cleaning roller blinds in winter, especially in cold weather, as moisture can freeze and damage the structure of the blinds.

How to Handle Mould and Mildew on Blinds?

The best way to remove mould from blinds or shutters is a multi-directional approach. Mildew is one of the worst types of dirt, which penetrates the structure and is very difficult to remove effectively, so a deeper clean is necessary.

Therefore, you should proceed in three steps. First, physically remove the mould stains. A vacuum cleaner will be useful for this, followed by water with liquid or mild detergent. Next, it's a good idea to lightly wash the blinds or shutters until you see that there is no trace of mould left. Finally, when the material has dried, it's still worth applying an anti-mildew agent to prevent unwanted stains from reappearing.

When to Consider Professional Cleaning for Blinds?

Professional cleaning of roller shutters by a qualified team of specialists should ideally take place once a year. What is important, is don’t wait for something to go wrong, but use the services of professionals regularly to prevent damages happening.

As we mentioned previously, in doing so, you will not have to pay high costs for frequent repairs, and most importantly, you will significantly extend the life and proper functioning of the roller blinds.