subject: Clean and maintain your wooden venetian blinds [print this page] Clean and maintain your wooden venetian blinds
Wooden Venetian blinds are the most elegant window dressing available on the market. With the ability to control light and match the wood and stain to your current dcor, any room will benefit from the addition of wooden Venetian blinds.
But once you've installed your blinds, how do you take care of them? Wooden Venetian blinds can last a lifetime if you look after them properly. Even though wooden blinds cost more than vinyl or aluminium, they're a worthwhile investment in durability and style.
The first key to successfully maintaining your wooden Venetian blinds is to install them correctly. It's imperative to hang the blinds straight, otherwise, the string don't work and your blinds will constantly tangle, weakening them. If you have a large area of blinds to install, or you're feeling unsure about the installation process, hire a professional to hang your Venetian blinds you'll find plenty in your local phonebook.
First of all, when installing wooden Venetian blinds, don't use them in the bathroom or kitchen, as the damp, steam and heat from cooking and showering can warp, discolour and damage your blinds, shortening their lifespan.
Likewise, when cleaning your wooden blinds, don't use large quantities of water and soap. Many people clean other blinds by taking them down and submerging them in a bucket of soapy water, but this will permanently warp and damage wooden blinds, even those with heavy-duty varnishes.
To properly clean wooden blinds, use your vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle to remove dust and particles from your blinds whenever you vacuum your home. If you're allergic to dust, you'll need to do this once every 1-3 weeks.
Wipe away any remaining dirt or stains with a damp (not wet) cleaning cloth. Don't use abrasive cleaning fluids on your blinds, as these can react with the varnish. Unlike vinyl and aluminium blinds, which can be soaked in a bath of warm water, wooden Venetian blinds should NOT be taken down and soaked.
Don't forget to clean the strings and any hardware attachments. Clean the dust off the windowsills also!
With proper cleaning and maintenance, there's no reason your family can't enjoy your wooden Venetian blinds for many years to come.
Want to know more? Read on for more information on Roman Blinds and Venetian Blinds,
