How to Clean Blinds in South Africa: The Right Method for Every Material
No professional blind cleaning services exist in South Africa. This guide is how you protect what you have spent money on. Ten minutes a week, the right technique for each material, and your blinds last years longer.
How do you clean blinds properly?
- Dust weekly with a dry microfibre cloth, working top to bottom with the blind fully extended.
- Monthly, wipe with a cloth wrung almost dry in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
- Never roll a blind up wet. Trapped moisture causes mould inside the roll within days.
- Aluminium and PVC venetians can be submerged in a bath of warm soapy water for deep cleaning.
- Wood and bamboo blinds must never be soaked. Use a damp cloth and dry immediately.
- For shutters, clean behind every louvre groove and leave blades slightly open when the house is unoccupied.
- In coastal South African homes, a weekly fresh-water rinse on outdoor blinds prevents salt from corroding hardware.
Need replacements? Shop online | Garden Route: Call Duncan on 079 523 5407
Clean blinds change a room instantly. Light comes through clearly. Dust stops circulating. The air smells different. It takes ten minutes, and the house feels like it did the day everything was installed.
How do you clean roller blinds?
Roller blinds are the most popular blind in South Africa and among the easiest to maintain. The critical rule is simple: never roll a blind up while it is still damp. Trapped moisture causes mould inside the roll within days, particularly in humid coastal areas like the Garden Route, KZN and the Western Cape.
Step 1: Extend fully. Lower the blind to its full length so the entire fabric surface is accessible.
Step 2: Dust top to bottom. Run a dry microfibre cloth in straight downward strokes. For sheer roller blinds, use a vacuum on low suction with a brush attachment because the fabric is too delicate for friction.
Step 3: Damp-wipe monthly. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. Wring your cloth almost dry and wipe in downward strokes. Rinse the cloth in clean water and go over the blind again.
Step 4: Spot-treat stains. Apply a paste of baking soda and water with a soft cloth. Test on a hidden section first. Avoid bleach as it degrades the UV coating that protects the fabric.
Step 5: Dry completely before rolling up. Leave the blind hanging fully extended until bone dry.
How do you clean venetian blinds without removing them?
Aluminium and PVC venetian blinds are the most forgiving material to clean. Tilt the slats to about three-quarters closed and wipe each slat from side to side with a dry microfibre cloth. Flip the slats and repeat on the other side.
For kitchen venetians where grease builds up, mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar. Dip your cloth, wring well, and wipe each slat individually. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent water marks. Aluminium venetians handle moisture well, so you can be more thorough than with other materials.
Deep clean: Remove the blind and soak in a bath of warm water with a squirt of dish soap for an hour. Wipe each slat, rinse under clean water, and hang to dry completely before reinstalling.
How do you clean honeycomb blinds?
Honeycomb blinds trap dust inside their cellular structure, which is excellent for insulation but requires specific cleaning. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment on the lowest suction setting. Higher suction can collapse the cells.
A hairdryer on a cool setting is surprisingly effective at blowing dust out of the honeycomb chambers. Direct the airflow along the length of each cell. For spots and stains, blot gently with a damp cloth and mild soap. Never submerge honeycomb blinds in water. The adhesive bonding the cells will weaken.
How do you clean wood and bamboo blinds safely?
Real wood and bamboo blinds must never be soaked or exposed to excess moisture. Water warps timber, discolours finishes and weakens bamboo fibres. Treat them the way you would treat wooden furniture.
Weekly: Dust each slat with a dry microfibre cloth or feather duster, following the grain.
Monthly: Lightly dampen a cloth (barely moist, not wet) and wipe each slat. Apply a small amount of wood-safe polish to restore the finish. Dry immediately.
Faux wood and Plaswood venetian blinds combine the look of timber with the moisture resistance of PVC, making them significantly easier to clean. They will not warp if they get wet.
How do you clean shutters (and what do most people miss)?
Shutters look clean from a distance, but dirt and dust accumulate in the grooves behind each louvre blade where the blade meets the frame. Most people wipe the flat face and miss these channels entirely. Over months, that hidden grime becomes a breeding ground for mould.
Open the louvres fully. Use a small brush (an old toothbrush works well) to clean inside each groove where the blade pivots. Then wipe each blade front and back with a damp cloth. For PVC and aluminium shutters, mild soapy water is fine. For timber, use a wood-safe cleaner and dry immediately.
How do you clean outdoor blinds and PVC screens?
Outdoor blinds endure direct sun, wind, rain and salt spray. Clear PVC panels, canvas drops and sheerweave screens each need different care, but all benefit from regular rinsing before dirt has time to bond with the surface.
Clear PVC: Rinse with a garden hose on gentle pressure. For marks, wipe with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or scourers. They scratch the PVC permanently.
Canvas and acrylic: Brush off loose dirt when dry. Hose down, then scrub gently with a soft brush and mild soap solution. Rinse thoroughly. Let the blind dry completely before rolling up.
Sheerweave mesh: The open weave stays cleaner than solid fabrics. Vacuum with a brush attachment or hose down. For coastal installations, a monthly fresh-water rinse prevents salt from degrading the fibres.
How do you remove mould from blinds?
Mould is a fact of life in humid South African homes, from Durban and the KZN coast to Cape Town winter bathrooms and any home where ventilation is poor.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area and let it sit for ten minutes. Wipe with a clean cloth. For stubborn mould on vinyl or aluminium, a soft-bristle brush helps. Dry the area thoroughly afterwards.
Prevention: The weekly dusting habit is the best prevention. Mould needs dirt and moisture together. Remove the dirt and you remove half the equation. In high-humidity rooms, choose materials that resist mould: aluminium venetians, PVC shutters, and mould-resistant sheer fabrics.
When to replace: If dark staining will not shift after repeated vinegar treatment, the mould has penetrated the fibres. Replacing with a mould-resistant fabric prevents the cycle from repeating. Browse replacement blinds made to your exact measurements.
Cleaning method by blind type
| Material | Weekly | Deep Clean | Water Safe? | Mould Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roller (blockout) | Dry microfibre wipe | Damp cloth + dish soap | Wipe only | High if rolled up wet |
| Roller (sheer) | Vacuum on low suction | Barely damp cloth | Minimal moisture | Low |
| Aluminium venetian | Dry cloth slat by slat | Bath soak in soapy water | Fully water safe | Very low |
| Wood venetian | Dry cloth or duster | Damp cloth + wood cleaner | Warps if wet | Moderate |
| Faux wood / Plaswood | Dry cloth, tilt both ways | Soapy water + polish | Moisture resistant | Very low |
| Honeycomb | Vacuum with brush tip | Spot clean only | Never submerge | Low |
| PVC shutters | Damp cloth + groove brush | Soapy water scrub | Fully water safe | Very low |
| Timber shutters | Dry cloth + groove brush | Wood-safe cleaner | Minimal moisture | High if sealed |
| Outdoor PVC | Garden hose rinse | Soft cloth + soapy water | Fully water safe | Low |
“Ninety percent of the blind replacements I quote could have been avoided with a cloth and five minutes a week. The fabric was fine. The mould was not.”
Duncan KaneFounder, Custom Blinds. 20 years experience across the Garden Route
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clean blinds in South Africa?
A light dust with a dry microfibre cloth once a week prevents build-up. A deeper clean with a damp cloth and mild soap once a month keeps blinds in good condition. In coastal areas where humidity accelerates mould growth, weekly attention is especially important.
Can you clean roller blinds without taking them down?
Yes. Extend the blind fully and wipe top to bottom with a dry cloth for weekly dusting or a barely damp cloth for monthly cleaning. There is no need to remove roller blinds from the brackets unless heavily soiled.
What is the best way to prevent mould on blinds?
Dust weekly to remove the organic matter mould feeds on. Never roll a blind up while damp. In high-humidity rooms, choose mould-resistant materials such as aluminium venetians, PVC shutters, or mould-resistant sheer fabrics. Good ventilation is essential.
How do you clean behind shutter louvres?
Open the louvres fully and use a small brush to clean inside the groove where each blade meets the frame. This is where hidden dirt and mould accumulate. Wipe each blade front and back with a damp cloth.
Can you use bleach to clean blinds?
Avoid bleach on blinds. It degrades the UV coating that protects roller blind fabric, discolours wood finishes, and can weaken honeycomb cell adhesive. White vinegar diluted with water is a safer and effective alternative for mould removal.
When should you replace blinds instead of cleaning them?
If staining will not shift after repeated treatment, the mould has penetrated the fibres. Bent slats, faded fabric, worn cords, and seized mechanisms are also signs that cleaning will not restore the blind. Replacement blinds are made to your exact measurements with free delivery.
If your blinds are past cleaning and ready for replacement, Custom Blinds delivers made to measure roller, honeycomb, venetian and no-drill blinds with free shipping to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. See the price on screen before you order at shop.customblinds.co.za.
Need new blinds? See current blinds prices with free delivery across South Africa. Or order online from R340.
When cleaning is not enough
Every blind has a lifespan. Browse replacements made to your exact measurements, delivered free nationwide.
Custom Blinds® is a Garden Route window covering specialist established in 2010, serving Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, and surrounding areas. We supply roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, venetian blinds, and no-drill blinds nationally via shop.customblinds.co.za. Our Custom Fit Guarantee covers every order.
Browse by blind type
- Roller blinds — sheer, blockout and motorised options
- Aluminium venetian blinds — rust-free, easy to wipe clean
- Honeycomb blinds — insulating, quiet, low maintenance
- Wooden blinds — natural beauty, dry dust only
- Vertical blinds — ideal for sliding doors and wide windows
- Outdoor blinds — weather-resistant for patios and stoeps
- All blinds — the complete Custom Blinds range
- How to measure — get the right fit first time
Custom Blinds South Africa — South Africa’s trusted window covering specialists since 2010.
