Made up of several fabrics, wood, plastic or metal held together by several chords, window blinds are elegant window coverings that have found a place in billions of homes, offices and various types of establishments. Owning to their widespread use, there are several types of window blinds that are available, depending on the nature of use and the buyer’s choice. Due to their attractive looks and convenient mechanism window blinds have gained worldwide popularity and are used across the globe. Here are the most common types of blinds that you can buy from your local home improvement stores.

1. Vertical Blinds

These come in various materials such as fabric, plastic or metal and hang vertically from a track installed at the top of the window. These are thus also known as track blinds and also have a rotating mechanism that pulls them to the side of the window. They also rotate to partially allow the light to come in.

2. Venetian Blinds

These are made of horizontal strips of wood or bamboo and are also called the wooden blinds. The slats in these blinds are usually wider in size as compared to the regular slat blinds. The mini blinds are a smaller variant of the venetian blinds which have a narrower width.

3. Slat Blinds

The horizontal slats are usually made of metal, plastic or vinyl and are connected to a string that allows them to hide the light or show it through the window. The connector attached to the blinds also allows them to be lowered and raised.

However, to maintain the look and to ensure that your blinds work properly there are several cleaning tips that you can follow. The type of cleaning depends on the amount of dirt or dust deposited on the blinds.

Fabric Blinds

If there is a little amount of dust on the fabric blinds then simply wiping them with a moist cloth should suffice. However, for more serious stains or dirt deposits, white vinegar applied with a cotton sock should do the trick without releasing the dust particles in the air. Simply dip the cotton sock in white vinegar and wipe each slat from one end to the other, remove the accumulated dust from the sock, dip it in vinegar and start with the next slat. While this is a slightly time-consuming process it saves you money from the cleaning bills. For tough stains, it is always better to send the blinds to a dry cleaner. You can also use a fabric softener post the cleaning process as it delays the dust build-up while giving your blinds a fresh smell.

Wooden Blinds

Wooden blinds may also be cleaned with the same sock and vinegar or sock and water method, but one must be careful as to not over-saturate the wood. After cleaning it is always best to wipe the excess water or vinegar carefully and dry them before use. Excess water can cause discoloration and warping which can damage the blinds and make them appear worn out and old. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from wooden blinds as it effectively removes the dust without exposing the wood to moisture.

Metal/Vinyl Blinds

The metal or vinyl blinds are usually more resilient to dirt and dust as compared to the fabric or wooden blinds. When cleaning metal blinds make sure you place towels on the floor to prevent the metal from scratching. Metal blinds can be cleaned with water and should be hung out to dry before placing them back on the windows.
Window blinds have found a place in several homes and offices as elegant and fashionable alternatives to traditional curtains.