How to clean Vertical blinds

Author Yvonne KealProduct Management SpecialistWritten 18/12/2019Updated 16/03/2023

Modern rustic dining room with full length white vertical blinds

Easy ways to keep Vertical blinds clean

The louvres of a Vertical blind simply hang down, so they don’t trap dirt and dust very easily, which means they need very little maintenance to stay looking good. Follow our handy guide to help keep yours in pristine condition.

Here, you'll learn how to:

- Use the right technique and cleaning product to keep your Vertical blind in the best condition

- Clean the headrail of your Vertical blind

- Make sure the louvres continue to glide smoothly, using a silicone spray

- Correctly take down and rehang your Vertical blind for more thorough cleaning

Watch our step-by-step guide

Our easy to follow guide gives you plenty of simple cleaning tips and techniques to keep your Vertical blinds looking great for longer. Take a look to learn more.

How to clean Vertical blinds without removing them

A person vacuums vertical blinds using a handheld attachment in a bright room, with picture frames on the wall.

Simple cleaning methods

Our blinds come in a range of practical fabrics, including soft and rigid PVC, which is very easy to wipe clean simply using a damp cloth.

Vertical blinds made from fabric should be regularly vacuum cleaned to keep them free from dust. Use the soft upholstery brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner and move gently from top to bottom.

lady with blonde hair using a thin sponge to clean a white vertical blind

How to remove stubborn stains

If your Vertical blind is in a high usage area, such as a kitchen, you may find that you need to clean it more frequently to remove stubborn stains.

If a stain won’t lift easily with a damp cloth, or there's a build up of condensation and you notice mould on your Vertical blind, you could try brushing with a stiff brush or treating it with a fabric stain remover. Simply rub the affected area with the stain remover according to the manufacturer instructions. However, be aware that there is a chance that the treated area may look significantly lighter than the rest of the blind.

A hand wipes a window frame with a turquoise cloth in a bright room, focusing on cleaning the upper section.

Cleaning your Vertical blind headrail

The headrail, which is where the operating mechanism sits, can gather dust and will also benefit from an occasional deep clean. Carefully unclip each of the louvres from the headrail brackets for easy access and wipe the headrail clean with a damp cloth.

You could also squirt a drop of silicone spray into the headrail, to keep the mechanism well lubricated and make sure the louvres continue to glide smoothly.

Use the spray sparingly and avoid contact with the blind fabric so that it doesn’t become stained

For a more thorough clean

There’s no need to take your Vertical blinds down to keep them looking great but it’s really easy to unclip them from the headrail if you need to. Follow the simple steps below to make sure you’re handling your Vertical blinds in the right way.

Feet in white sneakers position a plastic attachment on vertical blinds, situated in a carpeted room. The person's hands are adjusting a section of the blinds.

Unclip and remove the louvres

- Unclip the chains from the bottom of louvres (the Vertical panels) and slide out the weights

- Remove the louvres from the headrail by holding each one at the top, tilt to 45º and pull the clip out of the hook

- Remove the plastic hangers in the top of the louvres

A person wipes a wooden table with a green sponge, surrounded by white paper strips, a roll of paper towels, and a black container in a well-lit room.

Wipe the louvres clean

- Lay the louvres individually on a flat surface

- Using a mild detergent, gently wipe each one from top to bottom with a slightly damp, soft cloth

- Be cautious not to scrub the louvres too hard, as this may cause threads and scuff

- More stubborn stains should be treated with a specialist stain remover, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Be aware that there is a chance the treated area may look significantly lighter than the rest of the blind

- Once you’ve cleaned all the louvres, give them a rinse with luke-warm water and dab any excess water off with a towel

A person adjusts vertical blinds with a beaded chain in a carpeted room near a large window, wearing a gray shirt and white sneakers.

Re-hang the louvres

- Replace the weights back into the bottom of the louvres

- When the louvres are completely dry, replace the top hangers and clip the louvres back on the headrail

- Finally re-attach the chains at the botto

Chair sits calmly with a blanket draped over the back, bathed in light from vertical blinds. Above, a hanging plant adds greenery, surrounded by simple, minimalist decor in a hallway.

Alternative cleaning methods

There are some methods of cleaning Vertical blinds that we do not recommend for your Hillarys product.

For example, using a washing machine or tumble dryer, or submerging the louvres for a long amount of time in the bath could damage the fabric, so should be avoided.

Choose an alternative cleaning solution such as those explained above to keep your Vertical blind looking it's best.

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