Bamboo is a renewable resource that offers both beauty and great light blocking characteristics when used to make window blinds. While this material is easy to keep clean with a regular wipe down, hanging these blinds in a high moisture area could result in mold and mildew growing on the surface of the wood-like material. Restore your window coverings to like new condition without damaging the natural material by following these steps for cleaning bamboo blinds.
Initial Dusting
Since you need to detach the blinds from their mounting hardware in order to thoroughly clean them, make sure to run a microfiber cloth or feather duster over the surface before shaking them too much. You don't want to end up with a face full of dust or mold spores as you're lifting the top bar of the blinds out of its supports.
Lengthy Soaking
Once the bamboo blinds are loose, it's time to prepare for soaking them. Fill your bathtub or a large tub in your shower with a mixture of one part regular household bleach to two parts of warm water. Don't use hot water or the individual slats could warp and bend. Soak the blinds in the tub for a few minutes, spreading them out as much as possible for more contact between the bamboo and the soaking solution.
Gentle Scrubbing
Are your bamboo blinds speckled with stubborn gray, white, or black speckles that don't come off with just a little soaking? Grab an old toothbrush or a soft cellulose sponge to scrub the slats on both sides without scratching the material or damaging its finish. You can also drain the tub, rinse off the bleach solution, and add a little wood-safe oil soap to a fresh batch of warm water. The soap should loosen the mildew and mold residue without drying out the bamboo. Make sure to rinse the blinds no matter what you use to clean them so there's no residue left.
Preventative Spraying
Once the blinds are rinsed and dried by a towel or the sun, consider applying an anti-fungal spray to keep them from growing mold again after a few more months of use. Unless you plan to move the blinds to a different location, they'll need extra protection to resist the effects of moisture and warmth. The spray should be reapplied regularly based on the manufacturer's recommendations, but most fungicide window treatment sprays only last about a month or so.
For further assistance, contact a local outlet, such as AAA Blind & Shutter Factory.
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