Wooden window blinds allow you to control the amount of light a room receives, as well as giving windows an attractive covering. If they aren\’t regularly cleaned, however, dust can accumulate, spoiling the appearance of the window treatment. Fortunately, cleaning wooden window blinds is a simple process, requiring only a few basic pieces of equipment. By regularly cleaning your blinds, you\’ll improve their appearance and extend their life.

Before cleaning your window blinds, it\’s a good idea to lay some kind of dust cloth on the floor beneath them to catch the dust that inevitably falls from them during cleaning. An old sheet or towel makes a good dust cloth. If it has been a long time since you last cleaned your blinds then the chances are that there will have been a significant buildup of dust. The last thing you will want to do is create more mess so a dust cloth is something of a necessity.

There are several different methods of cleaning wooden blinds. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most important point during cleaning is to avoid getting the blinds wet. Too much moisture can discolour the wooden surface.

A vacuum cleaner can be an effective tool for cleaning wooden blinds. Use a brush attachment and run the cleaner along the length of each blind, making sure to cover both the front and back of the slat. Take extra care with the areas where the cords pass through the slats, which tend to gather dust.

If you don\’t have a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, or if you prefer to do things by hand, a soft cloth or dusting glove can do just as neat a job. Both allow you greater control and the ability to reach difficult spots. A soft duster will have a similar effect, but avoid feather dusters. A feather duster tends to knock off dust rather than holding it like a cloth one; it may even scatter beyond your dust cloth.

Once you\’ve finished cleaning the individual wooden slats, close the blinds and give the whole set a quick going-over with your duster, cloth or vacuum cleaner. Flip the slats and repeat this process for the other side.

By this point, there should be a fair quantity of dust in your dust cloth, especially if the blinds haven\’t been cleaned in a while. Take hold of the corners of the dust cloth and fold it up like a bag. Carry the dust to the bin or outdoors and dispose of it.

To give your wooden window blinds a final touch, consider spraying your wooden blinds with furniture polish and buffing them with a soft cloth. A final layer of polish not only brings out the natural colour and shine of the wood, but helps to protect the slats from fading and damage.

By following these simple steps, you can keep your wooden window blinds clean and free from dust. Your windows will look better and your blinds will last longer, making for a much more pleasant living environment and one you will be proud to invite people round to.

Trevor Richards writes for Better Blinds (www.newblinds.co.uk , UK retailers of quality wooden blinds.

Trevor Richards writes for Better Blinds (http://www.newblinds.co.uk) , UK retailers of quality wooden blinds.

Author Bio: Trevor Richards writes for Better Blinds (www.newblinds.co.uk , UK retailers of quality wooden blinds.

Category: Advice
Keywords: wooden blinds, window blinds, window, interior design, house, home, decorating, DIY