As wonderful as they look, wooden blinds need a little maintenance every now and then to keep them looking as good as they looked new. This article focuses on basswood blinds because it is type wood that needs more attention, but you can use these tips with any type wood.

As with all wood blinds there are many types available. You have ones that are painted. Then there are lacquered ones, which means that they have clear coat of a protecting substance to protect the wood from moisture, sun and other substances. Paint does the same thing, but it also blocks from seeing the color of the wood. Painted blinds are usually made from cheaper wood, because the type of the wood does not show. You can also have stained wood, which basically colored wood. There is also oiled wood available. It is finish that makes the wood darker and at the same time it protects the wood. And last but not least you have the ones that have no finish at all. They all need different attention and techniques when cleaning.

Let’s start with the lacquer finish. It is a good choice windows that do not get a lot of direct sun light. Sun light damage the lacquer and dry the wood. So the lacquer might chip and the wood can warp. The good thing is that they are easy to clean. The dust comes off easily with a microfiber cloth or a duster that works with static electricity. They work great in kitchens that don’t get a lot of sun, because in kitchens when you cook something the grease gets everywhere. Lacquer is easy to wipe with cloth and mild detergent. When it comes to maintaining painted window blinds you can use the same tricks as with the lacquered ones, but you can use them in rooms that are sunny.

Bass wood window blinds that are oiled are need to be oiled every now and then. There are oils that are specifically made for the job, but they can be expensive. You can use a standard cooking oil instead. Canola oil and sunflower oil work the best. Just don’t use extra virgin olive oil, because it can become rancid and make the wood smell. The trouble comes when your need to clean them. You can easily dust them or wipe them. I find that a damp terry cloth towel works the best. You can use oiled wood in rooms that are sunny. The can handle the light without drying and warping. But I would not use them in the kitchen, because the grease absorbs into the wood and starts to smell.

If the wood has no finish then you can clean them with duster and a damp cloth. They can be used in sunny rooms, but don’t use them in the kitchen. It’s the same thing as with the oil windows blinds, the soak up the grease and become sticky and smelly. You should clean your blinds once in a month if they are in a bedroom and every two weeks if they are in the kitchen.