A change in seasons (goodbye summer!) means that the sun’s daily direction is going to be changing (ever so slightly). That usually means that parts of your house will get more light during the day than they did during the summer and spring months, significantly so. One of the best ways to combat this extra sunlight pouring into your home in the winter and fall is to make sure that your blinds and other window coverings are in tip top shape and ready to take on the new increased amount of sunlight pouring in through your windows. Now, while we don’t necessarily want to take the time to explain just why the sun’s rotation is different this time of year, this Forbes article does an excellent job. For now, let’s dive into the best practices for cleaning your home’s blinds and other window coverings.
Gather Your Materials
The great thing about cleaning your blinds is that you will most likely have all of the necessary cleaning supplies on hand. Gathering those is easy and is a great way to get started on this journey to a cleaner home. The only “bad” part is that it is a bit of a time consuming process depending on how many blinds and coverings you will need to clean. Don’t worry if you can’t do it all in one session. Feel free to break it up over a weekend or over a few nights during the week after work. Without further ado, here is what you will need:
- A roll of paper towels
- Dishwashing liquid
- White vinegar
- Warm water. About 1 quart
- A bucket for your soapy water
- Several microfiber towels or clean hand towels if you don’t have microfiber on hand
- Optional: several old (clean) socks
- Handheld duster or feather duster
The Process
First thing’s first. You will want to start by combining the warm water in your bucket with about a 75/25 water/vinegar ratio. Then add about two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and stir to combine. Take your handheld duster and do a quick pass on the blinds both front and back to get the top layer of dust and dirt off. Then lightly wet your microfiber cloth in the mixture or your clean sock and squeeze out any excess liquid. Then close the blinds and start top to bottom running the damp cloth from side to side making sure that you are getting all dust and spots as you go. You may have to do several passes and then spot check for dirt deposits. You can scrub those out with a paper towel or your cloth.
Finishing Touches
Continue this process for both sides of the blinds and then give them a quick pass with a dry sock or towel in order to ensure that there will be no leftover deposits or water streaks. Have a spouse or child follow behind you and do a quick pass with their own towel to make sure that each set of blinds is spotless! Don’t forget to have fun and to put on your favorite music or tv show to have going in the background while you work.
In Conclusion
Thanksgiving can definitely be new and exciting again. You just have to put in a little elbow grease in order to get your house in tip top shape for guests and visitors. It’s a good excuse to get your house looking great for the coming months.
Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!
