Guide · Laundry and clothes washing ·
How to Clean Pleated Blinds
Pleated blinds fold like an accordion, are mostly made of polyester or coated fabric and are fitted to the glass, a glass balcony or the window frame. Because water and heat can undo the pleats, most pleated blinds are cleaned in place with little moisture. This guide explains how to clean pleated blinds without removing them, how to deal with glass balcony and kitchen blinds and how to wash removable pleated blinds.
First read the label and the manufacturer's instructions
- Check the fabric of the pleated blind and the manufacturer's cleaning instructions; some fabrics can only be dry cleaned.
- Coated (blackout or sun-protection) pleated fabrics are not soaked and are not machine washed.
- The cords, profiles and mechanism are not wetted; do not let water or detergent get onto these parts.
- Test the product on a hidden corner of the blind first.
How to clean pleated blinds without removing them?
- Remove the dust: close the blind fully; vacuum the pleats from top to bottom with the brush attachment or use a feather duster.
- Prepare soapy water: add a little detergent for coloureds to lukewarm water; detergent for whites can be used on white pleated blinds.
- Press onto the stain: press a well-wrung soft cloth onto the stain; do not rub or crush the pleats.
- Remove with a clean damp cloth: remove detergent residue with a clean, well-wrung cloth.
- Leave it to dry: leave the blind to dry in the closed position with the pleats taut; do not fold it before it is dry.
How to clean pleated blinds on a glass balcony?
Pleated blinds on glass balconies get dirty faster from dust, pollen and rain splashes. First remove the dust with the vacuum's brush attachment, then press out stains with a well-wrung cloth and a little detergent. Cleaning the glass before the blind keeps dust from settling on it again; for the glass and tracks, see how to clean a glass balcony. Do not spray glass cleaner onto the pleated fabric.
How to clean kitchen pleated blinds?
On kitchen pleated blinds, cooking vapour combines with dust to form a sticky film. Add a little dishwashing liquid to lukewarm water, press each pleat clean with a well-wrung cloth and rinse with a clean damp cloth. Degreasers can damage the fabric and coating; do not use them on pleated blinds. For general kitchen cleaning, see how to clean a kitchen.
Adhesive pleated blinds
Adhesive pleated blinds are cleaned in place because the adhesive strip can be damaged if they are removed. Do not let water get around the strip; remove dust dry and stains with a lightly damp cloth.
How to hand wash removable pleated blinds?
If the manufacturer allows, a removable pleated blind can be hand washed in the bathtub in cold or lukewarm water. Press the blind into the water folded (closed), keep it briefly in water with a little detergent and rinse it with clean water; do not rub or wring it. Let the water drain, refit the blind and leave it to dry in the closed position. Do not machine wash, put in hot water or iron a pleated blind; the pleats come undone. For roller and zebra blinds, see how to wash roller blinds.
What not to do
- Machine washing and ironing a pleated blind.
- Using hot water; the pleats come undone.
- Wetting the cords and the mechanism.
- Using bleach on polyester pleated blinds and degreaser on kitchen pleated blinds.
- For pleated and concertina fly screens: how to clean fly screens.
For offices, cafés and hotels
In offices, cafés and hotels, regular dusting and spot cleaning of pleated blinds in place extend their life; this can be added to the cleaning plan. TETİK detergents for coloureds and whites are produced in 4 kg packs. For curtains, see how to wash curtains; request a quote for bulk purchases.
