First, you will need to know what cleaner is recommended for the material. Typically you can use liquid dish soap or car wash. Now to help minimize the amount of times you actually need to wash your Venetian blinds you will want to dust them at least once a week. When you are ready to thoroughly clean them you can wash them inside in the bathtub or outside.

Before removing your Venetian blinds, you will want to fully open them and then take them off of their track. You will probably need a screwdriver to remove them. I recommend having someone help you as well so you don’t place stress on the blinds while removing them and it’s always helpful having a helper.

Cleaning Venetian Blinds in a Bath Tub

Fill up your bathtub up at least half way with warm water. You can either use the manufacturers recommended cleaner, liquid dish soap, car wash, or vinegar. Please do not use bleach. If you are using liquid soap or the car wash, add it in the water and mix it around, keep in mind that you do not want to many suds. If you are using the recommended cleaner, please follow the directions on the back. If you wish to use vinegar use about a gallon of vinegar.

Lay the Venetian blinds in the bath and let them soak for a few minutes. Then use a sponge or dish cloth to clean the blinds as thoroughly as possible. Once you have gotten all the grime off you are ready to rinse them. Now you can drain the bath and turn on the shower to fully rinse the blinds.

Cleaning Venetian Blinds Outside

If you choose to clean them outside, you will want to lay down a tarp on the ground and then lay the blinds over the tarp. Then you will fill up a bucket with water and add the cleaner of your choice. Make sure the slats are closed and pour the water over the top of the Venetian blinds. Use a mop to clean them and then flip them over and repeat the process for the back side of the blinds. Use your hose to rinse the blinds off.

You can either lay the blinds out over a towel to dry or dry them with a cloth. I recommend opening the slats up while air drying. If you choose to dry them with a cloth make sure to get all the slats. You might want to have a few cloths on hand in case they become damp before you are done drying the blinds. Once the blind are dry they are ready to be put back in place.

Using Socks to Clean Your Venetian Blinds

Don’t throw out your old socks, they will come in handy when it comes to cleaning your blinds. Using this method you can leave your blinds up. Dip one sock in your bucket of cleaning water, and leave one sock dry. You will use the damp sock to clean one slat at a time and use the dry sock to dry that slat.

See, you can continue to enjoy your Venetian blinds even if they become dusty. Just remember to dust them at least once a week, and wash them at least 2 – 3 times a year.

Cleaning Preparation

The crystal chandeliers should be cleaned every few months. Don’t wait until they are so foggy that it becomes a bigger job; Many people love to touch the crystals just because they are so pretty, and they end up looking dull really quick. Clean them at least twice a year. By doing so, you won’t need to remove the crystals from the chandelier. To be more careful before starting to clean, lay a towel or other soft cushion, under the chandelier. This way it protects the crystal in case it is dropped during cleaning. Do not turn the chandelier while cleaning.

A Simple Way to Clean

A simple solution first needs to be prepared.. Just use one part isopropyl alcohol with three parts water. Distilled water is preferable. Mix these in a spray bottle. It is very important to wear white cotton gloves while doing this cleaning. Spray one of the gloves with the solution. Keep the other glove dry. Then just clean the crystal with the damp glove by handling and caressing it. Next, use the dry glove to wipe it. This method is so easy that it can actually be enjoyable to do. Do not use crystal cleaning products or other packaged cleaning products. There may be chemicals in them than can ruin the appearance of the crystal.

Cleaning if Removing the Crystal

If the crystal hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, and needs to be removed from the chandelier, it needs to be removed carefully. Some crystal chandeliers need to have the crystals removed when cleaning. This is done by removing the trim. Find the trim diagram before removing the crystal. This way you will put the crystals back in the same, correct way. After removing them, use sudsy lukewarm water to hand wash them. Then they simply need rinsed in water and dried with a clean cloth. The cloth should be soft as to also protect the crystal. While handling the crystals, it is important to always wear the white gloves.

Just remember to prepare for the cleaning, use white gloves while cleaning if on the chandelier, and use the proper solutions to clean if removing the crystals. No one wants to see grubby crystals, and your dinner guests will be happy to see them clean, just as much as you will be.

Using a Soft Brush or Sponge

A safe option, on how to clean an oil painting, is to use a soft brush to remove dust and soot. This could be a soft paintbrush, baby toothbrush, shaving brush, etc. Also, you can use a micro attachment kit for your vacuum that has tiny brushes for deep cleaning. If these don’t work, use a dry rubber sponge across the surface, but not if the surface is damaged or flaky.

Soft Clean Cloths and Water

Try soft clean cloths and water with a couple drops of dish detergent. Check the cloths, and if paint colors are coming off, stop cleaning. Use damp cloths at first, dab the painting, don’t scrub. If damp cloths aren’t enough, use a little more water. Be careful because the water can get under the varnish and cause cracks.

Bread, Onions and Potatoes

This may sound like a recipe, however, these are just more items used on how to clean an oil painting. Another home remedy to remove grease and accumulated dirt, is to use a loaf or two of bread. When one loaf gets grubby, use another loaf. After using the bread, use a soft brush to brush away the bread crumbs. Staying on the subject of food, you may use a cut potato or onion as an astringent, with a couple lemon juice drops.. Keep wiping gently over the painting and throw away each piece as it absorbs the dirt.

Lanolin-based Cleaner

A more thorough job can be done by using a lanolin based cleaner as plain or unscented hand cleaner. Use a soft cloth or cotton bud, and with a circular motion gently dab the painting. It is best to start at the bottom right hand corner to test. If the paint has no reaction, then it is all right to finish the cleaning. Take your time. Don’t rub too hard because that could cause flaking.

Using the above four methods; soft brush, soft cloths, bread, potatoes or onions, and a lanolin based cleaner will give you many options in cleaning the oil painting to your satisfaction. These methods hopefully will bring many years of enjoyment of your oil paintings!