Best way to clean a roman blind?

Sparklebabey

Not sure if this is entirely the right section but I hope someone can help me

Am about to put up my curtains at my front door again to keep the heat in (yes, it's that time of year already!!) and I have a small roman blind on my front door as I have a glass section in the door and it was mainly to stop the sunshine streaming through in the summer (and to stop nosey people peering through my frosted glass to see if I was really in!!:rotfl:)

Anyway, it was just a cheapo blind from IKEA but could really do with a wash to freshen it up.

Trouble is, I am assuming if I stick in in the machine (even on a delicate wash) all the strings will get tangled up - or will they?

Is there a way I can put it in the machine and get it out in one piece or should I be washing it another way?

Many thanks:D

lostinrates

I vacuum them

empressemma

If vacuuming it doesn't freshen it enough, the you could give washing it a go. Definately take the strings out first!! But first... Do a drawing, or take a photo and make notes of how the strings are now!!! If it has rods, take them out to, basically, anything that's not the fabric, take off, but note where it came from!

Another non-washing option is to hang it on the line on a good blustery day.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

If its from Ikea... does it have any labels on? Dry clean only?

I'd try the following in this order (stop if when you are satisfied with the level of clean!)

1. Thoroughly good vacuum.
2. Rub with a well rung out damp cloth might brighten it up a bit.
3. Remove and take strings off and wash like 'How clean is your house' did for net curtains. There's a thread about it somewhere. I think fold, soak in washing up bowl, roll in towel and stand on to squeeze water out.
4. Throw it in the washing machine and hope for the best!

[Deleted User]

If its a bit bigger why not plunge it into a bath of luke warm water with a couple of spoonfuls of soda crystals in and swish it about I did this with my DDs one then hung it to drip dry (after rinsing it with fresh water )on her whirly-gig washing line,(luckily her downstairs bathroom is close to the back door so only the dogs and I got a bit wet :)) I did it first thing in the morning, and by the early evening it was virtually dry and I just hung it back up.Her blind is a four foot wide one and I wasn't going to mess about with strings ,but I did pop the wooden struts out.I also replaced one with a bit of thin wood from B&Qs for about £1.50 as the bottom one had snapped (think small boys and rowdy indoor games)

Sparklebabey

Thank you all:D

I have given it a good hoover but it's still not to my liking!!

I have checked in IKEA to see if they still have them as I would have just replaced it (it really was only about 3 quid or so) but they don't stock them anymore and I am reluctant to shell out about a tenner (which is what Argos want) as it is just for the front door.

I think I must have cut the labels off but it's just cotton so should be okay for washing either by hand or machine.

I like the idea of making a note of where the strings go (bless the digital age!) and then putting it in a delicate quick wash.

At the end of the day if it does go all wrong it did only cost me a few pounds.....it's not like I am dealing with raw silk or anything!!

Thank you all...you have given me lots of ideas:j