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How to Clean Perfect Fit Blinds and Shutters: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
- by 1ClickBlinds
To clean perfect fit blinds, dust them weekly with a microfibre cloth or a vacuum brush while they stay clipped in the window. For a deeper clean, unclip the frame from its brackets, lay it flat, and wipe it with a barely damp cloth (or warm soapy water for metal slats), then dry it fully before clipping it back in. You need no tools, and the brackets stay in the window seal.
Because perfect fit blinds sit in their own frame on the glass, they collect less dust than hanging blinds and never swing into the room. But they do pick up dust, cooking grease near a hob and condensation marks in winter. This guide shows how to clean every type: metal, wooden, pleated, honeycomb and perfect fit shutters.
Quick answer: how to clean each type
| Blind type | Weekly clean | Deep clean | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect fit metal (Venetian) | Close the slats, dust with a microfibre cloth, tilt the other way and repeat | Unclip, lay flat, wipe with warm soapy water, then dry | Scouring pads, which scratch the slats |
| Perfect fit wooden | Dry cloth or soft brush | Barely damp cloth, dry straight away | Soaking or wet cloths, which can warp the wood |
| Perfect fit pleated | Vacuum on low with a brush attachment | Spot clean with a barely damp cloth | Rubbing hard, which can crease the pleats |
| Honeycomb blackout | Vacuum on low with a brush attachment | Spot clean with a barely damp cloth | Soaking the fabric |
| Perfect fit shutters | Close the louvres, dust, tilt and repeat | Unclip, lay flat, wipe with a barely damp cloth, then dry | Harsh sprays and soaking |
What you need
- A microfibre cloth (or an old clean sock over your hand)
- A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
- A bowl of warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid
- A second dry cloth or a towel
- A towel or old sheet to lay the blind on for a deep clean
That is all. You do not need special blind cleaners, and you do not need any tools to take the blind out of the window.
How to clean perfect fit blinds without taking them down
This is the quick weekly clean. The blind stays clipped in the window the whole time.
- Close the blind. Lower a pleated or honeycomb blind fully. Close the slats of a metal or wooden blind, or the louvres of a shutter, so they lie flat.
- Dust from top to bottom. Wipe with a dry microfibre cloth, or use the vacuum brush on a low setting.
- Turn the slats the other way. On metal, wooden and shutter blinds, tilt the slats closed in the opposite direction and dust the other side.
- Wipe the frame. Run the cloth along the top, bottom and sides of the frame, where dust settles.
- Spot clean any marks. Use a barely damp cloth with a drop of washing-up liquid on metal, or a barely damp cloth on its own for fabric and wood. Dry the area straight away.
Doing this once a week takes about five minutes a window and stops dust building up into grime.
How to deep clean perfect fit blinds
Every few months, or when a blind near a hob gets greasy, take it out and clean it properly. Perfect fit blinds are made for this: the frame unclips from its brackets in seconds and the brackets stay in the window seal.
- Unclip the frame. Raise the blind or open the slats, then pull the bottom rail gently towards you until it releases from the bottom brackets. Lift the frame out of the top brackets. Leave the brackets in place. Full steps are in our guide on how to fit and remove perfect fit blinds.
- Lay it flat on a towel or old sheet on a table or the floor.
- Clean it by type. Wipe metal slats with warm soapy water. Use only a barely damp cloth on wood, shutters, pleated and honeycomb fabric.
- Dry it fully with a clean, dry cloth, then leave it for a few minutes so no moisture is trapped in the frame.
- Clean the window too. With the blind out, it is the easiest time to clean the glass and the rubber seal.
- Clip it back in. Line the frame up with the brackets and press it into place.
How to clean perfect fit metal blinds
Metal Venetian slats are the easiest to clean, which is why they suit kitchens and bathrooms. Shop perfect fit metal blinds.
- Weekly: close the slats, dust with a microfibre cloth, tilt the other way and repeat.
- Greasy kitchen blinds: unclip the blind and wipe each slat with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Wipe again with clean water and dry.
- Bathroom blinds: wipe away condensation and water spots with a dry cloth so they do not leave marks.
- Do not use scouring pads, wire wool or bleach, which can scratch or mark the finish.
How to clean perfect fit wooden blinds
Real wood looks great but does not like water. Keep it dry.
- Weekly: dust with a dry cloth or a soft brush, on both sides of the slats.
- Marks: use a cloth that is only barely damp, then dry the slat straight away.
- Do not soak the slats, use a wet cloth, or fit wooden blinds in a steamy bathroom. Water can warp the wood.
How to clean perfect fit pleated and honeycomb blinds
Pleated and honeycomb blinds are fabric, so they need a gentle touch. See perfect fit pleated blinds and our honeycomb blackout blinds.
- Weekly: lower the blind fully and vacuum on a low setting with a soft brush attachment, moving along the pleats, not across them.
- Dust inside honeycomb cells: blow it out gently with a hairdryer on the cool setting.
- Marks: dab, do not rub, with a barely damp cloth. Let the fabric dry fully before raising the blind.
- Do not soak the fabric, put it in a washing machine, or iron the pleats.
How to clean perfect fit shutters
Perfect fit shutters have wider louvres than a Venetian blind, so they are quick to dust. Shop perfect fit shutters.
- Close the louvres using the tilt rod, so they lie flat.
- Dust from top to bottom with a microfibre cloth, running it along each louvre.
- Tilt the louvres the other way and dust the other side.
- Clean the tilt rod and frame, where fingermarks collect.
- For a deep clean, unclip the shutter, lay it flat, wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry it straight away.
What not to do
- Do not use a steam cleaner. Steam can damage fabric and warp wood.
- Do not soak any blind or put it in the bath or shower.
- Do not use bleach, solvents or abrasive cleaners. A few drops of washing-up liquid are enough.
- Do not lever the frame out with a knife or screwdriver. Unclip it by hand so you do not damage the seal or the glass.
- Do not clip a wet blind back in. Trapped moisture can leave marks and mould.
How often should you clean perfect fit blinds?
| Room | Dust | Deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom and living room | Weekly or fortnightly | Every 3 to 6 months |
| Kitchen | Weekly | Every 1 to 3 months, or when greasy |
| Bathroom | Weekly, and wipe off condensation | Every 1 to 3 months |
| Children's room and nursery | Weekly | Every 3 months |
| Homes with pets or allergies | Twice a week | Every 1 to 3 months |
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean perfect fit blinds without taking them down?
Yes. For a weekly clean, close the blind and dust it with a microfibre cloth or a vacuum brush while it stays in the window. Only take it out for a deep clean.
How do you take perfect fit blinds out to clean them?
Pull the bottom rail gently towards you until it unclips, then lift the frame out of the top brackets. Leave the brackets in the window seal so it clips straight back in.
Can you wash perfect fit blinds?
You can wipe metal slats with warm soapy water. Wooden, pleated, honeycomb and shutter blinds should only be wiped with a barely damp cloth, never soaked or machine washed.
Can I use a steam cleaner on perfect fit blinds?
No. Steam can damage the fabric and warp wood. Use a microfibre cloth and a little warm soapy water instead.
How do you get grease off kitchen perfect fit blinds?
Unclip the blind, lay it flat and wipe the slats with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Wipe again with clean water and dry fully.
How do you clean pleated perfect fit blinds?
Vacuum along the pleats on a low setting with a soft brush, and dab marks with a barely damp cloth. Let the fabric dry before you raise the blind.
How do you clean perfect fit shutters?
Close the louvres, dust them with a microfibre cloth, then tilt them the other way and dust again. For a deep clean, unclip the shutter and wipe it with a barely damp cloth.
Will cleaning damage the window seal?
No. The brackets stay in the seal while you clean, and the frame unclips by hand. Just avoid levering it out with metal tools.
