Cleaning exterior venetian blinds is a topic that concerns many homeowners. Clean External Venetian Blinds not only look great but also ensure they function properly over the long term. In this article, you’ll learn how to clean your external Venetian blinds properly, which tools are best to use, and when it makes sense to leave the cleaning to a professional.
Want to ensure that your exterior venetian blinds continue to work reliably for a long time?
Cleaning exterior blinds: This should be done regularly—preferably in the spring and fall.
Heavy dirt: can be removed with water, a mild soap solution, and a soft brush.
Professional cleaning: may be worth it for heavy dirt or hard-to-reach areas.
Cleaning exterior blinds from the inside: This is possible if the windows tilt or if special cleaning equipment is used.
Safety considerations: Please be mindful of your own safety when working at heights.
Be careful: when cleaning the guides of rail-guided External Venetian Blinds and cable-guided systems, so as not to interfere with their operation.
Exterior blinds, also known as External Venetian Blinds, are constantly exposed to the elements. Dust, pollen, insects, bird droppings, and environmental pollutants accumulate on the swiveling aluminum slats over time. Without regular cleaning, they can not only look unsightly but also have their functionality impaired.
In addition, thorough cleaning extends the service life of the exterior blinds. This is a particularly important consideration for high-quality sun protection solutions such as ROMA External Venetian Blinds, which are designed to provide durable and highly effectiveprotection against the sun, prying eyes, and glare.
To ensure that your sun protection remains functional over the long term and retains its high-quality appearance, we recommend regularly and thoroughly cleaning your exterior blinds.
By following these steps, you can maintain your blinds quickly, safely, and in a way that’s gentle on the material:
Turn off the electric control for the exterior blinds.
Position the slats so that they are horizontal, allowing you to reach all gaps when cleaning your exterior blinds.
Check for accessibility: A telescopic pole can be helpful for hard-to-reach areas.
Stay safe: Never clean on upper floors without proper safety measures. Alternatively, you can clean the exterior blinds from the inside.
Use a soft broom or hand brush to sweep loose dirt from top to bottom.
Do not use any sharp-edged tools to avoid scratches.
Be especially careful when cleaning the tracks or cable guides.
Fill a bucket with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
Use a soft brush or a microfiber cloth to clean your exterior blinds.
Clean each slat individually—on both the front and back.
Clean the cord ladder while it is extended
Then rinse with clean water: No soap residue should remain on the cleaned exterior blinds.
Dry the slats with a soft cloth or let them air dry.
After they are dry, move the slats all the way up and down once to prevent residue buildup.
Regularity: clean at least twice a year.
Usegentle agents: no aggressive chemicals or high-pressure cleaners!
Pay attention to safety: never work at height without safety equipment.
Clean early in the morning or in the evening: Avoid direct sunlight on wet surfaces.
In principle, it is possible to clean external blinds from the inside - but only under certain conditions. It is important that the window can be opened wide enough or at least tilted to allow access to the slats.
Telescopic rods with a special brush attachment are particularly helpful here, as they can be used to reach areas that are difficult to access. If this is not possible or if the blinds are at a great height, it is advisable to have them cleaned by a professional specialist company.
Professional cleaning by a qualified service provider is recommended, especially in the following cases:
heavily soiled or weathered blinds,
cleaning at great heights or in hard-to-reach areas,
lack of cleaning equipment or insufficient experience with maintaining exterior blinds,
restricted function of the External Venetian Blinds due to dirt,
necessary cleaning work inside the venetian blind box —caused by insects or other small animals.
The cost of cleaning exterior venetian blinds varies depending on their size, degree of soiling, and accessibility. A personal consultation with a specialized company provides clarity and planning certainty in this regard.
We are also happy to advise our customers on any questions regarding the maintenance and cleaning of exterior blinds. You can rely on the expertise of our specialist partners for cleaning hard-to-reach spaces and other maintenance work on mechanical and electronic components.”
Those who clean regularly and ensure proper maintenance will not only enjoy an attractive appearance, but also benefit from consistently precise daylight control and reliable sun protection. ROMAexternal Venetian blinds , in particular, with their high-quality slats and modern drive systems, are designed to maintain their functionality and aesthetic appeal over the long term.
Do you want to not only keep your exterior venetian blinds clean but also ensure they remain functional for years to come? Consult a ROMA specialist partner —for customized solutions and the best quality “Made in Germany.”
Ideally, you should clean your external venetian blinds twice a year - preferably in spring and fall. This will remove dust, pollen and dirt before they settle and maintain the function and appearance of the external venetian blind slats in the long term.
Use only mild soap solutions or pH-neutral cleaners ( e.g., dish soap or the ROMA Sunshade Cleaner) to clean your exterior blinds. Harsh chemicals, solvents, or high-pressure washers can damage the surfaces and mechanical parts.
A gentle stream of water is fine, but high-pressure washers are not suitable for cleaning exterior blinds. The high pressure can bend the slats or damage the mechanism. It’s better to gently clean aluminum blinds with a brush and a cloth.
If the window opens or tilts wide enough, you can clean your exterior blinds from the inside —preferably using a telescopic pole with a brush attachment. For hard-to-reach areas, having a professional company clean the exterior blinds is the safest option.
The cost of cleaning exterior blinds depends on their size, the degree of soiling, and how accessible they are. A personalized consultation with a professional company will provide you with detailed information.
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When cleaning, be sure to thoroughly clean the areas between the slats as well—otherwise, stubborn dirt can build up there and impair their functionality. Also, avoid using harsh cleaning agents, and hire an experienced professional to clean External Venetian Blinds in hard-to-reach areas.