How to Clean Roller Blinds

Roller blinds have long been a popular option for windows in Australian homes. In fact, the market for roller blinds here in Aus, was worth a projected $700 million in 2024, which is an increase of 1.9% from the previous year.

Roller blinds are hardy and work well in most spaces, including areas that might get wet (bathrooms, for example) or high-traffic zones, such as hallways. So, with the number of homes using roller blinds, it’s no surprise that we regularly receive queries asking how to clean roller blinds.

Roller Blind Cleaning

The majority of roller blinds are made from fabric, and they can easily be cleaned with warm, soapy water. Of course, if your roller blinds are made from a more specialist material, we advise checking the product’s instructions before cleaning.

Roller blinds are typically stiffened with a laminating fabric, meaning a second layer is bonded to the rear of the interior layer that you see. Another method of creating this stiffness is by using a stiffening spray. Because of this process, it is not advisable to try to perform roller blind cleaning by putting them in the washing machine – they will come out creased and damaged.

Instead, follow the guide below to learn how to clean roller blinds in general, and what to do if they are suffering from stains or mould.

General Roller Blinds Cleaning

The most important regular cleaning method to use on your roller blinds is by using your vacuum or duster. A vacuum, in particular, is very effective at sucking the dust from between the fibres in your roller blind. Add roller blind cleaning to your weekly routine and you’ll stop the unsightly build-up of dust and keep them looking fresh.

If you have a upholstery brush attachment, this is particularly handy for the task, and will ensure that you don’t cause any creasing or damage. If you need a deeper clean after you finish the vacuuming, use a damp, soapy microfibre cloth and gently remove the dust. Do not use any form of bleach or harsh cleaning products, as this may ruin the pattern or colour of your blinds. Try to avoid soaking your blinds, but leave the blinds fully down to allow the light to hit the blinds and for air to circulate around the blind, as this will dry them out quickly and help prevent mould growth.

How to Clean Mould Off Roller Blinds

If you’re not careful with drying out your blinds, or they are in a particularly damp environment you may soon need to know how to clean roller blinds with mould. Mould grows in warm, damp environments and grows most commonly on blinds in bathrooms and kitchens.

Luckily, we can tell you how to clean roller blinds mould effectively.

Start by donning a mask to help you avoid inhaling any mould spores while you clean the blind. Begin by vacuuming the affected area to clean the blind in general. Next, take a dry scrubbing brush (or an old toothbrush for smaller areas) and clean the affected area to remove surface spores.

You can use a fabric-safe mould-killing detergent, diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or try lemon juice and white vinegar for a more traditional chemical-free roller blind cleaning.

Knowing how to clean mould off roller blinds is important. Polyester roller blinds tend to be the more delicate fabric choice, so they should be treated gently. PVC and vinyl blinds tend to be more mould-resistant, and spores can typically be wiped away easily—consider that when choosing blinds for your showers, bathrooms, or kitchens.

However, if you find mould has appeared on your PVC or vinyl blinds, feel free to scrub them with a soft brush. Just be careful not to pierce the blind accidentally.

How to Clean Roller Blinds Stains

Over time, your roller blinds can become stained. This could be from splashes from a nearby sink, handprints, or day-to-day wear and tear. Whatever the reason, you can often clean these stains away following the method we’ve outlined above. For ease, that is:

1. Vacuum the blinds to remove any loose dirt and dust.
2. Take a soft brush or old toothbrush and gently scrub the stubborn stains.
3. Use a fabric-safe detergent or stain remover and brush it into the fabric. 
4. Leave to dry fully before rolling up.

An Alternate Method for Roller Blind Cleaning

So far, we’ve only discussed cleaning roller blinds in situ, but if you’re not averse to a little work, there is another option.

For thorough cleaning and to remove mould and stains, you can consider removing your roller blinds and washing them in your bath.

One benefit of using a bath to clean roller blinds is that you can leave them to soak for a while, helping to ensure as much dirt and grime is loosened as possible. Here’s how we suggest you go about it:

1. Fill your bath with a mixture of water and soap.
2. Let your roller blinds soak in the bath for 2-3 hours.
3. Using a gentle, soft-bristled brush, scrub the blind in the direction of the weave. You can do both the front and back.
4. Drain the bath and then rinse the blind with clean water to remove any remaining dirt.
5. Leave to dry. You must ensure that your blind is thoroughly dry before you consider rolling it up. Do not fold or crease your blind at any point in this process as this can leave lines that will last forever.

Roller Blinds Dry Cleaning

If your blinds are stained or mouldy and the above methods have not achieved the desired results, you can take them to a local dry cleaner. This will kill all mould spores, bacteria and viruses, and clear out the most stubborn stains. Call them before you visit, though, as not all dry cleaners offer roller blind cleaning services.

Cleanco Commercial Cleaning – Brisbane’s Premier Cleaning Company

We pride ourselves on knowing how to clean every element of your home – so even for services we don’t provide, we’re happy to offer advice.

Our services are targeted to offices, hospital, and warehouse cleaning services. For a full list of the types of sites we cover, check our cleaning services page.

For commercial cleaning, contact us today, and we’ll be happy to provide you with a custom quote for ridding your property of stubborn grime and leaving it sparkling.