Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500219
06/24/03
Venetian Blinds-Care and Dusting
Care
When handling venetian blinds that are painted
metal, use care not to bang slats against woodwork or
each other to prevent having paint scratched. Chipped
paint will expose the metal, detracting from the
appearance and shortening its life.
Never separate or bend slats to peek through, to see
outside. Use cords to tilt slats. Once a metal slat is
bent it cannot be rebent, but whole blind must be
restrung and a new slat added to replace the bent slat.
Cleaning with Vacuum
1. Tilt slats of blind so they are closed.
2. Have a step stool handy, if window is high. Start at
top of blind.
3. Place one hand on blind to hold it steady (to prevent
banging against woodwork and chipping paint).
4. In other hand, use dusting brush of vacuum cleaner
attachments; brush from center to right tape and to left
tape, dusting the center section of about 8 inches of
slats.
5. Repeat brushing from tape to edge of slats on right
side, then on left side. (Brushing all the distance from
end to end will cause blind to bang against woodwork and
chip paint on woodwork as well as on blind slats.
6. Repeat vacuum dusting for each group of about 8 inches
of shades until bottom is reached.
7. Reverse the tilt of the slats and repeat on other side
of slats.
Cleaning without Vacuum
Using the same caution not to bang slats against
woodwork, dust each tilted slat with a soft, dry cloth.
(A damp or oily cloth will cause streaks on the surface.
Clean, soft cotton gloves may be worn on both hands
for dusting surfaces of slats.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .