Tips for cleaning vinyl blinds
Vinyl blinds can be a pain in the neck when it comes to cleaning time. They're bendy, they seem frail, and seem to stain easily. They get a sort of dust shadow on them that won't come off. We've all had troubles with vinyl blinds. The truth is, there's no magic way to clean vinyl blinds easily; there's no instant formula for keeping them as nice and white and fresh as they day you hung them. So, the first thing you've got to become acquainted with when pondering the cleanliness of your vinyl blinds is a sort of realistic, stoic attitude toward the grim realities of these products. They're simply not the greatest products in the world-simply not the greatest beautifying products, that is. They're great as practical products, as an affordable way to keep people from leering into your bedroom at night. They're cheap, simple (just about anyone can hang them); but they're tough to keep clean and spotless. That said, let's consider a few tips for cleaning vinyl blinds.
|
|
- Ok, we've already mentioned how difficult vinyl blinds are insofar as keeping them constantly clean goes. Basically, vinyl blinds are that old cliché, "dust magnets." They seem to attract the dirt and grime from the air. But they do it subtly, oh so subtly. The first tip for cleaning vinyl blinds, then, is: Be on your guard! Be on the lookout for gathering dirt, dust, lint, etc. What's the best way to stay on guard; what's the most effective means of being on the lookout? Why, it's simple: just make it a habit of giving your vinyl blinds a thorough inspection on at least a weekly basis, just as you do with your toilets. Think of your vinyl blinds as you would your toilets, counters, dishes, floors, tea cup collection, whatever. That is, as something that needs constant attention if it isn't to corrupt right when your back is turned.
- So, that said, how should one go about inspecting one's vinyl blinds? This, after all, is the key tip for cleaning vinyl blinds. If you want clean vinyl blinds, inspect them regularly and often. It's true that they bend easily, that they seem fragile. But if you handle them with just a little common sense-that is, you don't wrench them, twist them viciously, fall into them, pry them apart-they'll hold up fine even under the most rigorous scrutiny. Therefore, when cleaning vinyl blinds, inspect each slat separately, all the way up, all the way down, front and back. MAKE SURE YOU PERFORM THIS INSPECTION IN A WELL-LIGHTED AREA. You might be thinking at this point: "What do you mean, `area'? Won't I be inspecting them right where they're hanging?" Not necessarily. People who really want to get their vinyl blinds clean will actually go to the trouble (it isn't really much trouble) of removing them, spreading them out on the floor, and attacking them that way. Even if this isn't your style, though, you should still be sure to inspect your vinyl blinds in plenty of light.
- Once you've inspected the blinds, and ascertained that yes, it's time for a vigorous cleaning, you'll want to pull them down as far as they'll go. Start with the side of the blinds that curves away from you. Remember, even if you can't see dust and grime on your vinyl blinds, chances are that stuff is collecting, and if you put off cleaning your vinyl blinds until you can see it, well, it might have formed into a stain by then. Begin with dusting them up and down, back and forth, meticulously. Use a duster to start with. Use light, gentle strokes, just getting the surface dust. Then flip the blinds and do the same for the other side. Next, flip the blinds back over again and this time give each slat individual loving care with a rag and warm, slightly soapy water. Vinyl blinds, let us emphasize, are not the toughest products in the world, so you'll want to perform this stage of the cleaning in a delicate manner. Wash each slat, flip the blinds, and do the same for the other side. Make sure you wash the heavier components of the blinds as well-the attachments and so forth.
- Cleaning vinyl blinds is a relatively easy process, if you remember that your vinyl blinds need the same sort of regular care that your other household products do. In fact, it just may be the case that your vinyl blinds, in order to stay really white and spiffy, actually require more care. But if you clean your vinyl blinds at least once a week; if you clean your vinyl blinds carefully, sensitively, and according to the pattern described above; what's more, if you go the extra mile and actually remove your vinyl blinds from their attachments to clean them, so that you can really give them that scrutiny that is the first requisite of excellence; if you do all these things, you should be exceedingly happy with the cleanliness of your vinyl blinds.
