nocomments

How To Clean Mould From Vertical Blinds At Home?

Blinds can soak up some of the condensation on the window. This moisture combined with the sun’s warmth creates the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew.

Mould on vertical blinds is not just unsightly, it can also be a health problem especially for people already suffering from issues like asthma and allergies.

Cleaning Mould On Vertical Blinds

So, how to clean mould from vertical blinds at home? Luckily, it is easy to remove mould from vertical blinds. Here are some tips.

1. Deep Cleaning In A Washing Machine

If you have fabric vertical blinds, cleaning them in the washing machine will get rid of any mould or mildew growth.

Use a good quality detergent and set the maximum temperature allowed (check the washing instructions). Generally, most types of fabric blinds can be washed in 30C water.

To reduce the risk of damaging the blinds, roll them into a pillowcase. It’s also a good idea to set no-spin or the lowest spin speed.

Do not tumble dry the blinds unless the care label says it is safe to do so. Instead, sun-dry the blinds.

If you don’t have an outdoor space to dry them, wring most of the water using a towel then hang them in an indoor clothes airer. You can also hang them back up on the window, then open the window to get air flowing over them.

If the care label recommends only dry cleaning, take the blinds to a dry cleaner.  

2. Wiping Vertical Blinds With Water And Detergent

If you don’t want to take down the vertical blinds, you can wipe them clean using water and a mould-removing detergent.

First, remove dust and loose dirt from the blinds. Start with a duster or a long handled broom, then follow up with a vacuum cleaner that has an upholstery attachment.

Next, mix warm water and detergent in a container. Specifically look for detergent that can kill mould. However, be careful when using detergents containing chlorine bleach. Test on a hidden part of the blinds to see if the bleach causes any fading.

A less risky alternative is oxygen bleach such as the one used in OxiClean.

Dip a cloth in the detergent and water solution then wipe down the blinds focusing on the areas with mould.

Wipe a single slat at a time until all visible mould is gone.

Open the windows to let the blinds dry.

3. Hand Washing

Hand washing is safer for blinds than machine washing. Just be careful not to use hot water. Warm water that’s no more than 30C is ideal.

Take down the blinds and soak them for an hour in a mixture of water and mould-removing detergent.

Gently hand-wash the blinds and rinse them in cold water. Hang the blinds to dry, preferably in the sun.

4. Using Kitchen Products

If you don’t have a mould-removing detergent, many other kitchen products are equally effective at getting rid of mould on vertical blinds.

One of the best is white vinegar. Add undiluted vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it onto the blinds. Spray every part of the blinds, even where you cannot see any mould.

Let the vinegar soak in the blinds for an hour then wipe the blinds with a cloth soaked in water.

If you have lemon juice, the same spray treatment will work.

Note that lemon juice and vinegar are also effective against mildew.

You can also use essential oils to kill mould on vertical blinds. Tea tree, cinnamon, thyme and clove essential oils are all effective at removing mould from blinds.

Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle with water. Spray the blinds and leave for an hour. Scrub the blinds with a wet cloth to remove all mould.

Preventing Mould On Vertical Blinds

If you keep finding mould on blinds, look for the source of moisture and deal with it. If it is window condensation, an insulating barrier on your windows can prevent moisture on your windows from reaching the blinds.

You can also try to reduce the amount of condensation on windows by turning on a dehumidifier or placing desiccant bags next to the window to absorb moisture.

Check for other sources of moisture such as a ceiling or roof leak.

Sometimes, especially in the kitchen or bathroom, the moisture could be coming from inside the house. Whenever you take a shower or cook, open the windows, turn on a dehumidifier or turn on a fan to improve air circulation.

Reply