It’s important to keep in mind that exterior roller blinds are an investment in your lifestyle and comfort. This is why it is important that you keep them properly cleaned and maintained as, over time, they will become dirty. The good news is that there are a few simple tips that can help you to clean your outdoor blinds and keep them looking fresh. We have outlined some of these below, so see which of them work for you!
General Tips
The following tips can be employed for any type of outdoor blind:
Regularly brush both sides of the panel using a soft bristled brush; this will gently remove any dirt that has accumulated.
Ensure that any bird droppings, dirt, sand and other debris are removed from overhanging trees as quickly as possible. This can cause discolouration and deterioration of the fabric.
Avoid any harsh rubbing or scrubbing, as this can damage the surface of the fabric and lead to patchiness.
To remove stubborn bird or animal droppings, leave a sponge wet with warm water on the area (until its moistened). Then, wash the stains away using clean water – do not scrub!
Avoid cleaning when the weather is humid, as this can actually encourage mould to develop and spread.
Do not use pressurised water cleaners (such as those used to clean the car), rotary brushes or steam cleaners, as these can damage the fabric and eventually lead to patchiness.
Do not use solvents, alcohol (spirits) or abrasive cleaning products, as these can damage the fabric beyond repair.
Always allow your blind to completely dry before retracting it. This will help to avoid mould or mildew appearing over time (both of which can stain and deteriorate the fabric).
PVC Fabrics
The following tips should be used for clear or tinted PVC exterior roller blinds:
Mix together a weak concentration of a PH neutral detergent (1 part detergent to 20 parts water) and apply it liberally to the affected areas using a soft bristled brush or a sponge.
Rinse or hose the area down using cold water, ensuring that all of the detergent has been removed – never use a pressure washer.
Canvas & Acrylic
The following tips should be used for canvas or acrylic fabric blinds:
Stubborn stains or mould can be treated using hypochlorite bleach (1 part bleach to 4 parts water). Liberally apply this solution to the affected area using a soft bristled brush.
After 10 minutes, rinse the area thoroughly with cold water – never use a pressure washer or rotary brush.
If you have recently invested in exterior roller blinds, we hope that you found the above tips useful in understanding how to clean and maintain them over their lifetime. It’s important that you don’t just let them go, as this will only result in blinds that are dirty and unattractive – no one will enjoy your outdoor area, as they’ll be worried about the germs! When the panels are clean, you will find that visitors are much more open to spending time outdoors.
Energy Window Fashions provides all type of window blinds in Melbourne including roman blinds, roller blinds, Vertical blinds, blockout blinds and Venetian blinds to your home.