How to Clean Blinds and Curtains

Most blinds and curtains only need a light weekly or fortnightly dust to stay in good shape. For blinds, use a microfibre cloth, a blind duster or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment. For curtains, vacuum with the upholstery or brush attachment from the top down, paying attention to pleats and the top heading, where dust settles.

Close the slats flat in one direction and wipe from the centre outwards, then flip them and do the other side. For grubby slats, especially in kitchens, wipe with a cloth dampened in warm soapy water and dry them. Wear an old cotton glove dipped in soapy water and run your fingers along each slat – it's quicker than it sounds.

Wooden blinds should only be wiped with a barely damp cloth and dried straight away; water can warp the wood.

Dust or vacuum the louvres from top to bottom. Fabric vertical louvres can often be unclipped and hand-washed in lukewarm water with mild detergent, but check first. Hang them back up while slightly damp so they dry straight.

Vacuum fabric roller blinds while they're pulled down. Light marks can be dabbed with a damp cloth and a little mild detergent – test on a hidden area, and don't soak the fabric. Many roller blinds have a coating that shouldn't be scrubbed.

Roman blinds are fabric and often have rods sewn in. Vacuum them regularly; for a deeper clean, check the label – many need professional cleaning rather than washing.

Check the care label first. Lined, interlined, velvet and heavy curtains are usually dry-clean only, and washing them can shrink the fabric or the lining by different amounts, leaving them puckered. Unlined cotton and polyester curtains are often machine washable on a gentle cycle.

Blinds in kitchens and bathrooms collect grease and moisture as well as dust, so they need more attention. Kitchen blinds near the hob often develop a sticky film that dust then clings to. Wipe slats with warm soapy water regularly to stop it building up.

In bathrooms, choose moisture-resistant blinds such as PVC or faux wood, and wipe them occasionally to stop mould spots forming. Fabric roller blinds in bathrooms can develop mould if they stay damp.

Looped cords and chains on blinds can be a strangulation risk for young children. Blinds sold in the UK must meet safety standards, but older blinds may not. When cleaning, check that cords and chains are tied up out of reach with a cleat or tensioner, and that any safety devices are still in place.

Curtain cleaning specialists can clean some curtains in situ using low-moisture methods, which saves taking them down. Blinds can also be professionally cleaned. Curtains and blinds are rarely part of a standard regular clean, but they're often included in a deep clean as a dust and wipe-down.