How to Clean Faux Wood Blinds (Easy & Safe Methods)

Faux wood blinds need regular cleaning to prevent the dust buildup, grease, and moisture stains on their slats. If cleaning is not regular, the stained areas will appear sticky and ruin the look of your blinds. Regular cleaning will help your window shades operate smoothly and reduce yellowing from accumulated grime.

Proper cleaning is beneficial for their longer lifespan and a long-lasting, better appearance. So, understanding the working mechanism & material of these blinds is essential for learning how to clean faux wood blinds.

What Are Faux Wood Blinds?

Faux wood blinds are lightweight and usually made from vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, or a blend of wood & PVC. Lookwise, they have very delicate horizontal slats. By adjusting these slats, you can control the light and air circulation. By closing these slats, you will gain better control over light and maintain privacy by blocking outside views.

When it comes to faux wood, it looks like real wood blinds, as it also features natural wood patterns and textures. They differ from solid wood blinds in durability, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance. Faux wood window shades are more resilient to daily wear and moisture damage and are easier to maintain than real wood blinds.

What You’ll Need to Clean Faux Wood Blinds

Before cleaning the faux wood blinds, gather basic cleaning supplies so that you can clean them quickly, safely, and smoothly. Here is the list of basic tools and materials:

• Microfiber cloth
• Duster
• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• Optional tools (vacuum with brush attachment)

How Often Should You Clean Faux Wood Blinds?

It would be effective to dust the faux-wood blinds daily to prevent dust buildup. To remove stains or grime, you need to clean it thoroughly every 3-6 months, depending on your space. Weekly dusting keeps them looking new, whereas the deep cleaning removes the sticky layer or stained water marks from the slats.

Your space location, pet, and humidity affect the frequency of cleaning. In humid, dusty weather, your window blinds need regular cleaning to prevent mould growth and dust buildup. In kitchens, cleaning should be done weekly to prevent grease and moisture damage. In areas with pets, regular dusting to remove pet dander and airborne allergens is crucial for an odourless, hypoallergenic space.

How to Dust Faux Wood Blinds (Regular Cleaning)

For regular cleaning, dusting is necessary, and before you start, prepare the blinds for easy cleaning. Draw the faux wood blind to close the window fully. Slat direction is important until the slats are in the downward position so that all slats are facing you. This will provide an easily accessible surface. Follow the steps below every week to keep your blinds shining.

Step 1: Pick a Soft Cloth

After adjusting the slats, use a microfiber cloth to dust from the top of each slat in one direction.

Step 2: Start From The Top Slat

You can use a soft-bristled brush to remove dust from the top-to-bottom slat, moving in the same direction. For a thick layer, use a damp cloth to wipe off the dirt.

Step 3: Flip The Slats

Adjust the slats in the opposite direction, then dust the back side of the slats using the same process.

Step 4: Dust the Cords /Strings

Dust the cords running through each slat from top to bottom. To clean them effectively, use a wet cloth.

Step 5: Dry The Slats

Once you have finished cleaning with a damp cloth, use a dry, soft fabric to absorb any remaining moisture from the blinds. This drying step will prevent dirt from re-establishing quickly. If the climate is humid, you can use dry sheets to dry the slats fully.

How to Deep Clean Faux Wood Blinds

For the removal of stubborn stains and grime, deep cleaning is necessary. Faux blinds in the kitchen might get greasy layers/deep stains. To remove these, you should dust the blinds thoroughly to remove all the dirt & grime. After following the dusting steps, prepare a gentle cleaning solution for the deeply settled stains or sticky layer.

The cleaning solution consists of household materials like white vinegar and detergent. To make this solution, add equal parts of vinegar and detergent to warm water and mix it well. Now start cleaning the slats on the blinds using this method.

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from any reaction.
• Remove the window shade from the window frame by releasing the brackets.
• Dip the microfiber cloth in this solution and start wiping the top slat.
• For thick stains, rub the stain and then wipe that area with a clean cloth.
• Rub gently as the faux wood slats are delicate, and there is a chance of bending.
• When all the slats are cleaned, reverse the slats by adjusting them with the string.
• Remove the stubborn stains with the same technique from the back side of the slats.
• To deep clean faux wood blinds, repeat the wiping process again with the clean, dry cloth on both sides of the slats.
• Before fixing the blind again on the window frame, make sure the slats are fully dry to prevent water spots.
• To decrease the sticking of dirt again, you can use dryer sheets. These lower the static cling, and your blinds will not attract dust as easily.

How to Clean Faux Wood Blinds Without Taking Them Down

If it is not possible for you to remove the blinds from the window for deep cleaning, you can do it without taking them down. For this in-place cleaning method, a vacuum or blind-cleaning tool is required. Take the vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. After adjusting the slats facing you, power on the vacuum and move the brush from top to bottom.

You can use the cleaning tool covered with a microfiber cloth & with multiple slats. This will allow cleaning all the slats from top to bottom at once. Keep the vacuum setting at a low level for gentle removal of grime. For large windows, this method is very useful & popular.

To save you time and effort, dust the blinds regularly to avoid frequent deep cleaning. Additionally, prefer spot cleaning rather than cleaning the entire blinds to remove deep stains.

Can You Wash Faux Wood Blinds in Water?

Faux wood blinds are prepared from the water resistant composite materials, so they are safe to soak in water for cleaning. When your window shades are heavily soiled or too greasy, then soaking is safe. For dusting and localized spots, never think about the soaking method. Old window shades that are exposed to the sun are also not suitable for soaking.

After removing the blinds, soak them in lukewarm water and mild detergent & vinegar solution for 20-30 minutes. Then remove the grime with the soft brush or cloth. Rinse the slats in clean tap water and hang them to dry before use.

While soaking, some mistakes can cause damage to your blinds. For blinds with metal components in the headrail, dipping them in water will cause rust or lead to faulty mechanisms. In that case, use only a damp, thoroughly wrung-out soft cloth.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning Faux Wood Blinds

Here is a list of common mistakes people make when cleaning faux wood blinds. Have a look at them and avoid making such mistakes when cleaning your blinds.

• Never use scrubbing material that is too rough; it can damage the blinds’ finish and leave scratches.
• Avoid the chemicals that are too concentrated to avoid discoloration.
• Excessive submerging of faux wood blinds in water causes swelling and rusting of internal mechanisms.
• If the headrail is wet, it will disrupt the blinds’ uniform mechanism. Due to rusting, the window blinds will not
• Hot water is also not good, as this will destroy the shine or cause warping.
• Excessive watering or improper drying can cause mold growth, which is harmful to health and the environment.

Tips to Keep Faux Wood Blinds Clean Longer

It would be better to reduce the dust buildup by regular dusting as a preventive maintenance tip. For spots, immediately remove them to prevent heavy buildup. For deep cleaning, follow the steps carefully to avoid breakage of slats. Take care of your window shades with regular maintenance and keep them clean longer.

Use protective sprayers to protect the finish. Keep them dry in a humid climate to avoid mold & mildew. Treat the spots immediately, and keep adjusting the slats to balance UV exposure for long-lasting appearance and functionality.

Conclusion

To safely clean the faux wood blinds, dust them regularly with a microfiber cloth or vacuum with soft bristles. For deep cleaning, use a damp cloth to wipe away stains with a gentle rub. Start at the top slat and work down, and do not forget to clean the headrail and the cords. To clean heavily soiled blinds, use a vinegar-and-soap solution, then dip them in warm water. Dry the slats, headrail, cords, and mechanism completely before fixing them on the frame. Avoid frequent cleaning by providing regular care and maintenance.