Most blinds need nothing more than regular dusting with a microfibre cloth and an occasional wipe with a barely damp cloth. Never soak a fabric roller blind or a timber venetian — water marks roller fabric permanently and swells real wood. Aluminium, faux-wood and PVC are the only materials that tolerate genuine wet cleaning.
This is DIY care guidance. Window Blinds Cape Town does not offer a blind cleaning service; we supply, install and repair blinds.
Care by Material
| Material | Routine | Deeper clean | Never |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium venetian | Dust closed, both tilts | Damp cloth, mild soap | Abrasive pads |
| Faux-wood venetian | Dust or vacuum on brush head | Damp cloth, dried immediately | Soaking |
| Real timber venetian | Dry dust only | Barely damp cloth, dry at once | Water, polish, solvents |
| Fabric roller | Vacuum on low, brush head | Spot clean cold, blot only | Immersing, scrubbing, machine washing |
| Sunscreen roller | Vacuum or wipe | Damp cloth, mild soap | Hot water, bleach |
| Vertical fabric louvres | Vacuum in place | Remove louvres, spot clean flat | Machine washing |
| PVC vertical louvres | Wipe | Damp cloth, mild soap | Solvents |
Venetians: Close Them First
Tilt the slats fully closed and dust the whole face in one pass, then reverse the tilt and do the other side. Cleaning slat by slat with the blind open takes far longer and misses the overlaps. A microfibre cloth folded over your hand works as well as any purpose-made tool.
Roller Blinds: Water Is the Enemy
Fabric roller blinds are usually coated or laminated, and water carries the coating into a visible tidemark that does not come out. Vacuum on the lowest setting with a brush head. For a mark, blot — do not rub — with a barely damp cloth and cold water, working from the outside of the mark inward, then let it dry fully unrolled before winding it back up.
Mould in Bathrooms and Coastal Rooms
Mould on a blind is a ventilation symptom, not a cleaning failure. Wipe aluminium or PVC with a mild soap solution and dry it. On fabric, mould has usually rooted into the fibre and the blind needs replacing. Where humidity is constant, the durable fix is the right material from the start — see bathroom blinds.
Mechanisms Need Care Too
Dust in a clutch or a stiff cord ladder causes most of the faults we see. Do not oil a roller clutch; lubricant attracts grit and accelerates wear. If a blind is dragging, sticking or dropping unevenly, the mechanism needs servicing rather than cleaning. That is blind repair work and it is almost always cheaper than replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash roller blind fabric?
No. Immersing or machine washing roller fabric removes the coating, causes shrinkage and leaves permanent tidemarks. Vacuum and spot clean only.
How often should blinds be cleaned?
Dust every two to four weeks in living areas, and monthly in kitchens where grease builds up. A deeper wipe once or twice a year is enough for most homes.
Will a damp cloth damage wooden blinds?
Yes, if the timber stays wet. Real basswood absorbs moisture and can swell, bow or lift its finish. Use a barely damp cloth and dry each slat immediately, or choose faux-wood where damp cleaning is likely.
Get a Free Measure & Quote in Cape Town
Window Blinds Cape Town measures, manufactures and installs across the metro. Call 081 411 8471 for a free on-site measure and quote, or see what blinds cost in Cape Town.