Metal Venetian Blinds January 17, 2008, 12:58:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88485Advise requested...For those of you who are unfortunate enough to have those infernal metal venetian blinds (especially in the 30' models, located behind the cook top)what is the easiest way to clean them? ? ? ? Never having had to do domestic chores before and after four years of *don't touch, don't look*, I'm finally having to deal with these nasty blinds.Cleaning them in place didn't work all that well and so dismounting and removeing to the kitchen table (in the house) seemed like a good option. So now that they are on a flat surface, how do I proceed and with what? ? ? ? HELPSteve S. (Two left hands) Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #1 – January 17, 2008, 01:03:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88488Steve, never tried it, myself, but if I were in your shoes, I might try putting them thru top rack of dishwasher. But that's me... *g*Lee
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #2 – January 17, 2008, 01:26:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88489Quote "...I might try putting them thru top rack of dishwasher."Lee Will have to get a bigger dish washer, they measure 52" long.Steve S. (Two left hands) Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #3 – January 17, 2008, 01:27:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88490Quote Advise requested...For those of you who are unfortunate enough to have those infernal metal venetian blinds (especially in the 30' models, located behind the cook top)what is the easiest way to clean them? ? ? ?Steve, I finally decided to take the *@#% things down after trying to clean in place. Hosed them down, used a very soft brush, soap and water, washed both sides, rinse and let drip dry. Rehang and they are ready to collect more crud. ;>)Malcolm Blue02MB
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #4 – January 17, 2008, 01:29:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88491Steve, Those blinds are infernal! We clean them by extending them and placing on a towel or soft cloth on the driveway. Spray down with an appropriate mild grease remover, brush lightly with a soft brush being careful not to bend the slats, rinse with a hose and let them dry. I couldn't use the dishwasher routine because they are too long. Steve K.
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #5 – January 17, 2008, 01:29:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88492Steve: You're just a few steps shy of the place you need to be....put the blinds in the bathtub, (close the drain) add water and mild detergent. You can let them sit for about 10 minutes, gently paw them with a soft cloth, taking care not to get involved with the strings, and drain. Rinse (?hand shower available). Pick up gently and take out into the yard and if you can put them on a clean surface, after opening them (lengthwise). That's how we did it 35 years ago; I don't know of any improvements to the technology....but of course, I have eschewed blind until "Wild Thing." Let us know how this works out...I have the kitchen and bath blinds that need cleaning...Tina P "Wild Thing" NE 59Cleaning them in place didn't work all that well and so dismounting and removeing to the kitchen table (in the house) seemed like a good option. So now that they are on a flat surface, how do I proceed and with what? ? ? ? HELPSteve S. (Two left hands) Lazy Bones & JiggsLooking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #6 – January 17, 2008, 01:45:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88493Quote Advise requested...For those of you who are unfortunate enough to have those infernal metal venetian blinds (especially in the 30' models, located behind the cook top)what is the easiest way to clean them? ? ? ? Never having had to do domestic chores before and after four years of *don't touch, don't look*, I'm finally having to deal with these nasty blinds.Cleaning them in place didn't work all that well and so dismounting and removeing to the kitchen table (in the house) seemed like a good option. So now that they are on a flat surface, how do I proceed and with what? ? ? ? HELP Steve, grease is the culprit. I bought a gallon of Zep Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser from Home Depot for other purposes but my wife claims it works great mixed in ratio of about 3:1 with warm water for these blinds. I'm sure they sell this in quart size. Easier to clean with blinds off. Joe-San JoseQuoteSteve S. (Two left hands) Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #7 – January 17, 2008, 01:51:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88494At 11:29 AM 1/17/2008, you wrote:QuoteThat's how we did it 35 years ago; I don't know of any improvements to the technology....but of course, I have eschewed blind until "Wild Thing." Around here, there are a couple of cleaning services that use ultrasound to do miniblinds. They come out to your place with a truck, take them down, ultrasound them, and reinstall them for a fee. I haven't used this service, but it sound like a real deal if you have more than one or two blinds. There is also a guy who cleans them at his home (I believe also using ultrasound, but in a nonportable setup), and returns them to you to rehang for something as cheap as $5 a blind. I've used him several times and they come back pristine. I couldn't do as well for three times the money! Look in your yellow pages, or ask at a local cleaners. They probably know who does this type of thing in your area.Sonsie
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #8 – January 17, 2008, 01:58:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88495Quote..For those of you who are unfortunate enough to have those infernal metal venetian blinds (especially in the 30' models, located behind the cook top) what is the easiest way to clean them??... Having owned a house that came with dozens of these things, I developed the following ruthless technique: Let the blind down to its full length. Use a twist-tie to bundle up any dangling pull cord, and remove it from the brackets. March outside and lay the blind out flat on a deck or picnic table, stretched out to expose one side of all the slats. Mix up a bucket of diluted Simple Green and toss it onto the blinds. After a few minutes for soaking, wipe across the slats with an old washcloth or big soft brush, taking care not to mess up the vertical cords. Lift the blind up vertical again, turn it around, lay it back down and do the other side of the slats. Hose off the dirty soapy water. Hang the blind on a fence to air dry. If you hang it a bit tilted, the water will run off and it will dry faster. If I were washing the mini-blind from the LD's kitchen, I'd be tempted to do this routine as part of an RV washing, using my big soft RV brush and my bucket of Finish First. My own LD's kitchen blind doesn't get very dirty, so I just dust it whenever I dust the stove.Joanne in Boston NE-44
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #9 – January 17, 2008, 02:48:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88498Quote from: Tina Pratt I agree with the "Tina tub" method for the self-help route, although I'd be love to try the "Sonsie hire-out for ultrasonic" method- very cool!Tessa in TX (finally headed out camping again tomorrow!)
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #10 – January 17, 2008, 02:55:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88499Kate & Terry and I found an easier solution--at least easier in the long term:1. Remove miniblinds and throw away 2. Make simple cafe curtains (about two hours' work, even for a sewing novice) The curtains add a colorful accent to the kitchen, and they're easy to take down and throw in the laundry. I did the same in my bathroom, so I now have NO miniblinds. :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ 1 Likes
Re: How to Clean Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #11 – January 17, 2008, 02:57:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88500Quote "Advise requested...For those of you who are unfortunate enough to have those infernal metal venetian blinds (especially in the 30' models, located behind the cook top)what is the easiest way to clean them? ? ? ? ..." Steve S. (Two left hands) Lazy Bones & JiggsSteve, just this fall I cleaned ours using the bathtub method; then spread them open and flat on the picnic table, wipe mostly dry and let air dry the rest of the way.Chris Horst 2002 30'
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #12 – January 17, 2008, 03:05:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88501Quote1. Remove miniblinds and throw away2. Make simple cafe curtains Oh wait! Yes, I did that too. Yes, that get's my vote for sure. Tessa
Re: How to Clean Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #13 – January 17, 2008, 05:25:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88508WOW!~ You guys came through again, just as I knew you would.There were so many ideas I don't know where to start. Next time I'm going to try the bathtub (Tina) and either the Zep degreaser (Joe) or the Simple Green (Joanne). I also like the idea of hosing them down, perhaps on the driveway. Andy's option is tempting but I'll keep the blinds for a while longer. Maybe I can enlist my daughter and her late mother's sewing machine for something different. At any rate, I muddled through, using a ton of paper towels and half a bottle of 409. They look a lot better now and should stand up for a few more miles.Thanks to all!Steve S. (Two left hands) Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #14 – January 18, 2008, 04:15:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88552Just be aware of the fire hazard of having curtains near the stove. I'd rather clean my blinds once a year than risk incinerating our LD.Ted H.'02 FL NE-12Camp Hosts @ Gamble Rogers SRA FL-- www.toad.fobria.com See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6079 Posted by: "teresadhill"
Re: Metal Venetian Blinds Reply #15 – January 18, 2008, 05:32:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88562"Just be aware of the fire hazard of having curtains near the stove. I'd rather clean my blinds once a year than risk incinerating our LD."TedWe're aware of the potential, but really it is minimal. First off, we don't use the back right burner, which is where the curtain is located. Also the window doesn't open on that side, so there's virtually no breeze at the curtain.And for me, the blinds were awful. They were dirty a lot more than once a year and I really disliked the working mechanism and the way they looked. As always, YMMV.That said, thanks for the reminderKate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Topic: Metal Venetian Blinds (Read 10 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Metal Venetian Blinds (Read 10 times)
previous topic - next topic