Mr Skill

Venetian (or horizontally slatted blinds) are really great because you can adjust them to block out bright light and prying eyes too. The downside though is keeping them clean and free of dust. A weekly flick with a feather duster helps – however two or three times a year you really do need to take a Venetian blind down for a good clean. You could find a housekeeper to do this on Mr-Skill, but is this absolutely necessary? Before you find a cleaner, ask yourself the question, could I not do this myself?

o Choose a sunny day. Before you start, locate a ladder and a friend to hold this for you. Professional housekeepers in London fire apprentices for climbing up on chairs to remove blinds, because they know that a fall could be fatal, and that the insurance will not pay for taking chances.

o Lower the blind completely and open up the slats before unclipping it. Place it in a bathtub or a children’s plastic pool. Do not use a bath that has been re-enameled because the vinegar might stain it.

o Fill the bathtub with warm water until the blinds are covered. Add three to four litres of vinegar and mix this in thoroughly with your hands.Wear long-sleeved plastic gloves if your skin is sensitive.

o Leave the blinds soaking until the dirt has dissolved completely. Stirring the water will speed this up.

o Drain the bathtub. Use a shower attachment to rinse the Venetian blind thoroughly. Allow it to dry completely on a towel outside. While you are waiting, clean the bathtub thoroughly.

o Re-hang your Venetian blind. Leave it fully down and the window open. Do not attempt to raise the blind until the strings are fully dry.

If you are not confident that you could do the job yourself, do not stress. Get housekeeper quotes from Mr-Skill.