How to Clean Blinds in the Keys | Royal Furniture and Design
How to Clean Your Blinds in the Florida Keys
Living near the water brings salt air and humidity into your home every time you open a window, and your blinds collect a lot of it. Royal Furniture and Design sells and installs Hunter Douglas blinds as part of our interior design work, and the right cleaning method for each material protects its finish. Here’s how to clean blinds made of wood, faux wood, metal, and fabric in the Florida Keys, including a quick weekly routine and a deeper monthly clean.
Why Salt Air and Humidity Mean You Should Wash Blinds with Care
Salt in sea air is hard on metal. Humidity can promote mold growth, and moisture can wear down some window treatments in a beach house over time.
For that reason, we evaluate each room before recommending a blind. EverWood® Faux Wood Blinds resist fading, discoloration, warping, and bowing, and they withstand humidity and sun exposure, making them well-suited for bathrooms and sunrooms. Real wood performs best in rooms without steam or high moisture.
How to Clean Wooden Blinds
It's important to know how to clean wooden blinds to avoid harming the finish. Lower the blind fully, tilt the slats almost closed, and dust with a soft cloth, feather duster, or dusting mitt. If you leave the slats slightly open, you can reach the spots where they overlap. Vacuuming with a soft brush attachment also works well.
Protect Parkland® Wood Blinds from shower steam since moisture is hard on real wood. Skip chemical solvents, scrubbing cleansers, and ultrasonic cleaning, too, as they can damage the blinds.
Best Way to Clean Horizontal Blinds in Metal and Faux Wood
The best way to clean metal blinds is to start with a light touch. Dust Custom Metal Blinds with a soft cloth or a vacuum brush attachment and use compressed air to blow debris off the slats. To spot clean stubborn residue, use a soft cloth or sponge moistened with lukewarm water.
When washing blinds made of aluminum, some models allow you to immerse the entire assembly in lukewarm water with mild detergent for five minutes, gently moving the water with your fingers. Keep blinds with decorative tapes and models from the Natural Elements collection out of the water. Headrails that house an operating system, such as motorized or cordless lifts, should always be kept dry.
EverWood® Faux Wood Blinds clean up with a feather duster or microfiber cloth, followed by a light pass with a vacuum brush attachment. Wiping the slats with a dryer sheet can also reduce static and help repel dust. Avoid abrasive cleaners and chemical solvents, as they can scratch or damage the surface.
How to Clean Horizontal Blinds and Vertical Blinds on a Schedule
Use this routine to learn how to clean horizontal blinds and vertical blinds at the right pace for each material:
- Every week, tilt the slats on each horizontal or mini blind almost closed and dust them with a mitt or soft cloth.
- Every week, dust vertical blinds with fabric vanes using compressed air or a hair dryer on its cool setting.
- Once a month, vacuum horizontal blinds with a soft brush attachment and wipe faux wood slats with a dryer sheet.
- Once a month, wipe metal mini blinds with a soft, damp cloth, or give them a five-minute soak if your model can be safely submerged.
- As needed, blot a spot on a fabric vane with a white cloth dampened with lukewarm water, because rubbing can crease the fabric.
Luminette® Sheer Panels are the exception, since they need professional ultrasonic cleaning. Other vertical products can also be sent to a professional if a spot persists after blotting.
New Hunter Douglas Blinds and Design Help in the Florida Keys
If your blinds still look worn after a good cleaning, our team can help you choose Hunter Douglas blinds for each room, from EverWood® Faux Wood Blinds in the bathroom to Parkland® Wood Blinds in your living room.
Royal Furniture and Design has showrooms in Key West, Marathon, and Key Largo and serves homeowners throughout the Florida Keys. Call (305) 407-6574, email chrisb@keysfurniture.com, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.