How do I clean drapery pull cords?
by Jo
+2
The pull cords are dirty ! How do I clean them? Someone suggested mixing soap and bleach in a zip lock and tie them so they don't slip off, my concern is I think the cords are not 100 % cotton, bleach may weaken and yellow the cords ? Thank you for any suggestions.
JO
Suggested Project Book
this should help https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Cleaning-cords-on-vertical-blinds-2701674.php
Try using a clean cloth dampened in warm water with Oxi-clean and baking soda and run up and down the cord with the cloth in your hand. Wipe again with another clean cloth dampened in warm water with vinegar in it so it kills the soap residue. I have done this and it worked for me.
Cords used on narrow “venetion blinds are polyester/poly & cotton blend. I machine wash in mesh bag with hot water & bleach then high heat drier.
If want to check if polyester, see if snippet of cord inside bottom rail under the attaching plug. If do, hold a match to tip and if you get small ball of hard plastic - if smells like burning hair, you have all cotton cording.
If keeping blinds, would try Ziplock suggestion tho I’m not sure how to do that.
Either way, if using for blinds definitely Scotchguard twice a year or my choice would be light coat of water-based polyurethane.
Forgot - plastic ball is polyester!
Also, if keeping blinds, I’d pull rails to the top thus expising most of cord. That bundle I’d throw in bucket w/ Hot water & bleach - be sure to have whatever container you use is secure to prevent accident.
Bleach and water with soap on a cloth and go up and down on the cord keep rinsing till clean