Cleaning horizontal mini blinds.

[Michael A. Ball]

Later this month, as part of a lead paint abatement procedure, I will have to remove and clean 32
sets of heavily soiled, horizontal mini blinds. I will have two days to accomplish the task. At this
point, I plan to agitate them in a tub of detergent solution, and hose them off. I'd be grateful for
any suggestions on a more efficient method.

As it happens, the blinds don't have to come out perfect, but I have to have them back in place by
the end of the day.

Thank you.
Michael

[Dorot29701]

The only blinds I've had to clean are for double windows. I've taken them out
to the driveway - let them out as far as they will go - in the closed position
and cleaned with hot soapy water. Then rinsed with hose. Turn them over,turn
the slats to the "other" position - do the same with them.

Take old towels and wipe them off as best I can then take them in the house and
let them "drip dry" in place.

If your blinds will fit in the tub that may be easier.

Dorothy

[gini52]

"Michael A. Ball" <Guardian@wireco.net> wrote in message
news:606mivovof3sk7a27rpuu821vlaj9utt78@4ax.com...
> Later this month, as part of a lead paint abatement procedure, I will have
to remove and clean 32
> sets of heavily soiled, horizontal mini blinds. I will have two days to
accomplish the task. At this
> point, I plan to agitate them in a tub of detergent solution, and hose
them off. I'd be grateful for
> any suggestions on a more efficient method.
>
> As it happens, the blinds don't have to come out perfect, but I have to
have them back in place by
> the end of the day.
>
> Thank you.
> Michael
===
I spray mine with 409 then rinse. That's it. If you have a towel bar over
the tub that you can hang them on it will be much easier. Also helpful is a
handheld shower head (these can be very inexpensive).
===
===

[jamie]

Michael A. Ball <Guardian@wireco.net> wrote:
> Later this month, as part of a lead paint abatement procedure, I will have to remove and clean 32
> sets of heavily soiled, horizontal mini blinds. I will have two days to accomplish the task. At this
> point, I plan to agitate them in a tub of detergent solution, and hose them off. I'd be grateful for
> any suggestions on a more efficient method.

That's a lot of windows. You might find it easer to replace some of them,
rather than cleaning them all. When we moved into our current house
two years ago, quite a few of the metal miniblinds were hopelessly bent.
For single width windows, replacement vinyl miniblinds were only about
$4 each at WalMart.

--
jamie (jamiemck@newsguy.com)

"There's a seeker born every minute."

[Michael A. Ball]

On 2 Aug 2003 22:12:22 GMT, jamie@sure.spam-me-silly.net (jamie) wrote:

>That's a lot of windows. You might find it easer to replace some of them,
>rather than cleaning them all. [...]

Jamie, I had actually considered that. I think I'll take a look at WalMart; only now, I won't feel
like I'm nuts! :-). Thanks!

"A lot of windows." Yes. This is a 1906 house, with four major rooms on each level. Each of those
rooms have four windows; each window is about thirty inches wide and about six feet high.

I'm going to experiment next week, to see what sort of results I can get.

[Phisherman]

On Fri, 01 Aug 2003 22:16:47 -0400, Michael A. Ball
<Guardian@wireco.net> wrote:

>Later this month, as part of a lead paint abatement procedure, I will have to remove and clean 32
>sets of heavily soiled, horizontal mini blinds. I will have two days to accomplish the task. At this
>point, I plan to agitate them in a tub of detergent solution, and hose them off. I'd be grateful for
>any suggestions on a more efficient method.
>
>As it happens, the blinds don't have to come out perfect, but I have to have them back in place by
>the end of the day.
>
>Thank you.
>Michael


I bought a long plastic planter that fits my blinds. I use laundry
soap, household ammonia, and warm water to soak the blinds for a half
hour, then use a _soft_ brush to loosen the dirt if necessary. Rinse
in cool water and hang up to drip dry (a clothes line works well).

[teleflora]

"Phisherman" <nobody@noone.com> wrote in message
news:7ptoiv4raj4nk6bt7kg84v9icg4t1d4v89@4ax.com...

>
> I bought a long plastic planter that fits my blinds. I use laundry
> soap, household ammonia, and warm water to soak the blinds for a half
> hour, then use a _soft_ brush to loosen the dirt if necessary. Rinse
> in cool water and hang up to drip dry (a clothes line works well).

That is a perfect idea! I like to clean mine outside, but never had
anything wide enough to soak them in. Thank you.

Cindy