If you have come to realize that "just vacuuming" or "just wiping with a mild soap solution" isn't a complete answer for how one may safely deep clean custom blinds or shades, keep reading.  We can help.  Rather than trust a generic Internet recipe, learn how various types of blinds should be cleaned based upon the experience, training and product knowledge of professional blind cleaners.  This simple outline will get you started and may even help you avoid an expensive disaster!

   Before determining what types of cleaning methods are appropriate for your blinds or shades do a quick examination.  Discover the asnwers to a few simple questions.  Of what materials are your window treatments constructed?  Those made of synthetic materials (polyester fabric, nylon cords, aluminum, plastic or vinyl vanes or slats etc.) are easier to clean than those that have parts made of natural fibers or materials (wood slats, cotton fabric, cords or tapes).   How old are these blinds?  Environmental factors like the sun (UV radiation, heat, sun fading) humidity (warpage, shrinkage, mildew) and age (weakened glues or adhesives, brittle plastics or dry rotted cording) also must be considered.  No cleaning process will not resolve issues caused by age or wear and in some cases may create more problems.

   Blinds with slats of metal, synthetic materials like vinyl or plastic composites and synthetic cords can be cleaned with soap and water.  Depending upon the type of finish and the degree of grime involved the actual methods will vary.  Hand cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning methods are appropriate. 

   For real wood blinds wiping with a damp cloth and treatment (on natural finished woods) with a fine wood oil afterward is best.  If wood blinds are really filthy some professional blind cleaners will literally disassemble the blind, clean the slats by hand and ultrasonic or wash the cords separately (so they don't damage the wood with immersion in water which cracks the finish etc.) before putting the blind back together again.  If someone says they ultrasonically clean wood blinds - no matter what their technique, immersion in water will allow for swelling of the wood and damage to the finish - even if it is minimal, when the wood expands with water the finish on top of it will be damaged.  

   Fabric shades are not all created equal!  Hunter Douglas and other custom fabricators list the recommended methods of cleaning for their blinds in their materials (We'll soon have them  all linked here on this site as well).  Shades of polyester fabrics with glues that won't be affected by water (in older shades glue lines weaken depending upon the UV exposure, age and type of glue used) can be washed in water using an appropriate hand method, ultrasonically cleaned or cleaned with an injection/extraction (On-Site) cleaning method.  Knowing how to handle the shade is important as is getting it dry quickly. 

   Generally speaking, if you have a room darkening shade with papery type fabric or a metallic liner inside the cells then water is NOT good for your shade.  An injection/extraction cleaning method using a dry cleaning solvent (done by a professional) is a safer option than any water based methods (Wet cleaning voids warranties in these types of Hunter Douglas shades).  Ultrasonic energy also damaged some types of foil, so a  knowledgeable blind cleaner adjusts their procedures and methods appropriately while a novice may inadvertently damage the shade. 

   Vertical blinds with vanes made of vinyl are easily washed in water with a mild soap.  Using a strong detergent or degreaser may remove some finishes or colors on some of the printed patterned vinyls.  Hand cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning methods are appropriate, however if the vanes are old and brittle cleaning will often result in damaged vanes.

 
  Vertical blinds with fabric vanes can often be wet cleaned (however even some synthetic fabrics will shrink slightly), though natural fabrics or those with sizing in the fabric often will shrink and ripple or curl at the edges if wet cleaned.  Dry cleaning solvent won't affect the sizing in the fabric or cause other adverse issues that wet cleaning methods may create.

   Vertical blinds that have a fabric insert with a vinyl back require special consideration before cleaning.  If the edge plastic of the channel panel is not yellow or amber with age (and therefore brittle and apt to break)  and the inserted fabric is a synthetic without any paperboard backing then wet cleaning is possible.  Dry cleaning with an injection/extraction (On-Site) method is possible for many of the fancier inserts as long as the vanes are still flexible.

Roman Shades can be cleaned using either wet or dry cleaning methods - the appropriate method depends upon the type of fabric and components used in the shade.  If you don't know what the fabric is and don't have the fabricator's endorsement for wet cleaning then a dry cleaning method is the best option.  Plastic parts, cord guides or loops on the back of the shade often become brittle with age and may need replacing if they should break - so be sure the cleaner is prepared for such possibilities.

Luminettes, Vertiglides, Verticells and other other specialty shade products can often be deep cleaned by a professional.  Home owners are not typically properly equipped or wise to assume the liability for these cleaning projects.  Find a qualified professional blind cleaner to do the work.  If you would like assistance, use the links on this site to request the services of a local professional blind cleaner.