How to clean Roman blinds

Author Victoria RobinsonProduct ManagerWritten 22/11/2019Updated 16/03/2023

A blue sofa with colorful cushions sits under a large window with patterned red blinds. A bar cart, floor lamp, and plant adorn the stylish, light blue room.

Find out the easiest and fastest way to clean your fabric Roman blinds

Keep your Roman blind looking clean and fresh with our easy to follow cleaning guide. Discover the best and simplest methods for regular cleaning and get expert advice on effective stain removal.

Here, you'll learn how to:

- Remove dust and debris from your Roman blind using the upholstery attachment of your vacuum

- Smooth out creases or wrinkles with a steamer

- Spot treat stubborn stains with a damp cloth or fabric stain remover

Watch our step-by-step guide

Our easy to follow guide gives you plenty of simple cleaning tips and techniques to keep your Roman blind looking great for longer. You can follow these simple steps to clean a Voile Roman blind too. Take a look to learn more.

A person in a striped sweater uses a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean a fabric-covered wall. The setting appears to be indoors, with minimal visible furnishings.

1. Lightly vacuum to remove dust and debris

To prevent dust from collecting on your Roman blind, we suggest cleaning using the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. This is a small, flathead brush with a row of short bristles, great for cleaning fabric surfaces like blinds as well as mattresses and sofas.

Close your blind fully and use the upholstery attachment to carefully brush the fabric in a downwards motion until you have vacuumed the whole of the blind surface.

Work in a downwards motion from top to bottom, paying particular attention to the bottom and side edges, where dust may gather.

2. Steam cleaning Roman blinds

If your Roman blind becomes creased or wrinkled, you can lightly steam it using a hand-held steamer. For velvet fabrics, steam on the lining side only.

Use the very lowest temperature steam setting, hold the attachment well back from the fabric and move it lightly and briskly so you're not hovering over one spot.

A person in a striped sweater uses a green cloth to clean or smooth a textured, beige wall. The upper body is partially visible, and the setting appears domestic.

3. Treat any stains

If your Roman blind becomes marked or stained, first try to remove the stain using a clean, damp cloth. Gently rub the affected area with the cloth until the stain begins to lift.

To clean more greasy stains, you may need to try spot cleaning using a specialist fabric stain remover or gentle detergent.

If you ever need to clean mould off your Roman blind, brush with a stiff brush or spot treat with a specialist fabric detergent.

Always check that the product you are using is appropriate for your Roman blind fabric and make sure you follow the manufacturer instructions for removing the stain. Test a small, inconspicuous area of your blind fabric first if in doubt.

4. Get your blind cleaned professionally

We don't recommend machine washing any of our Roman blinds, but many of our fabrics are able to be dry cleaned.

Look out for the dry clean symbol on our fabric swatches, but do always check with your local dry cleaning company before taking your blinds down.

Why these tips work

Vacuum gently: Prevents dust acting as abrasive grit, reducing fibre wear.
Blot stains: Rubbing pushes dirt deeper and distorts fibres.
Steam from lining side: Protects delicate face fabrics (e.g., velvet) from heat and moisture marks.
Test cleaners first: Different dyes and finishes react unpredictably; testing avoids permanent damage.

Fabric types – a handy guide

If you need a quick snapshot for a specific fabric, our cheat sheet has got you covered.

Fabric	What to know	How to clean	Top tip
Cotton	Durable but prone to shrinkage if over-wetted.	Spot clean with cool water and mild detergent; avoid soaking.	Press on reverse with medium heat and a press cloth.
Linen	Natural slubs trap dust, so vacuum regularly.	Light steam from lining side; avoid heavy moisture.	Protect from UV fading with blackout lining.
Silk	Delicate fabric requiring care.	Dry-clean only for full blinds.	Use blackout lining to prevent sun damage.
Synthetic blends	Generally low maintenance; avoid high heat (can glaze or melt).	Spot clean sparingly; never use strong solvents.	Often available with coatings to prtect from water and stains.

Key takeaways: a quick cleaning checklist

Weekly: Vacuum with a soft brush attachment, top to bottom.
Monthly: Spot clean with pH-neutral solution; blot, don’t rub.
As Needed: Steam from lining side on low setting, 2-4 inches away.
Seasonal: Rotate blinds to reduce UV fade; check cords and hardware.
Never: Machine wash, bleach, soak, or use harsh solvents.

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