Having blinds cleaned: what affects the work and price
Ten small ground-floor blinds are a different job from ten wide installations high on a façade. Type, size, condition and access help a company prepare a useful quote. Specify from the outset whether the windows and frames should also be cleaned.
Which blinds or shutters need cleaning?
Blinds and shutters include several different shading systems. A method suited to metal slats does not automatically suit coated fabric. Identify the types where known; for mixed installations, the quote should distinguish the different work involved.
| Type | What matters for the job |
|---|---|
| Slatted blinds | Define both faces, edges and accessible guides. Narrow slats and lift tapes require careful work. |
| Roller and hinged shutters | Distinguish inside and outside. Clarify guides and accessible housing parts without assuming the shutter box will be opened. |
| Awnings and exterior fabric shades | Distinguish fabric, coating, seams and frame. Treatment and drying must suit the product. |
| Indoor fabric blinds | Have the material's suitability for cleaning checked. Removal, transport and refitting are separate services, not automatically included. |
What makes up the cost of blind cleaning?
Companies may charge by area, unit, worker-hour or fixed total. Published lists are only partly comparable: some quote net starting prices for a single maintenance pass, others gross prices for specific slat cleaning. A square-metre rate does not predict the final bill without scope and access details.
Ask for cleaning, travel, any minimum order value, access equipment and applicable VAT to be specified. A fixed price should state its assumptions and what changes trigger an extra charge. Heavy deposits, wide installations or hard-to-reach outer faces may require more work.
The home's floor area is not the area of its blinds. For an area-based rate, establish whether the simple front elevation is used and which faces are included. Cleaning two faces does not automatically mean you should double the area you report.
An example of an area-based calculation
Ten blinds measuring 1.20 m wide by 1.50 m high give a total front area of 18 m²: 10 × 1.20 × 1.50. At a rate assumed solely for this example of CHF 15 per m², that line item would be CHF 270. This is neither a market price nor a quote; included faces, access and additional costs would still need agreement.
You do not need to measure every slat for an initial request. Quantity and typical size provide a starting point; mention any wide balcony frontage among smaller units. Precise dimensions or photos can be discussed directly with the company later. Do not measure difficult-to-reach external surfaces yourself.
Why access changes the workload
Working from indoors, from a balcony or only from outside the building requires different planning. An open window does not establish that both faces can be cleaned safely. The company must assess suitable equipment and whether a site visit is needed.
For external work, clarify space for equipment, access to the grounds and obstacles such as planted beds, canopies or narrow paths. Units already removed do not need façade access, but may need transport and agreed refitting. Neither service should be silently assumed to be included.
Respect materials and distinguish existing damage
Follow the instructions for the actual product. Avoid abrasive products and unsuitable high-pressure methods on metal slats; consider coatings and lift tapes. Fabric treatment must suit the cloth. Let an awning dry completely as directed before retracting it.
Cleaning cannot repair bent slats, brittle tapes, peeling coatings or damaged seams. Report known defects beforehand. For stubborn marks, ask what result is realistic rather than expecting a new-looking surface. Any reproofing needs a material assessment and a separate agreement.
What to compare in the quotes
Combining blind and window cleaning in one visit can simplify arrangements. Whether it saves money depends on the total comparison. Keep the items distinguishable so you can see what is actually removed from the price if you omit a service.
- Scope. List quantities, sizes, types and required faces. Clarify guides, frames, sills and supporting structures, and expressly include or exclude glass cleaning.
- Method and condition. Agree material-compatible treatment and disclose known damage. Removal, repairs and protective treatments are not automatic extras.
- Total cost. Clarify travel, minimum charges, equipment, removal, refitting and taxes. For hourly work, ask for estimated worker-hours and approval before additional work.
- Result and timing. Agree drying, weather-related rescheduling, protection of neighbouring surfaces and the process for concerns. Any handover guarantee must cover the part actually commissioned.
Prepare for the appointment
Clear sills and access routes, and point out delicate plants, furniture or floors. Establish whether water and electricity are needed and who can operate the blinds. Automatic controls need to be accounted for during work according to the manufacturer's instructions.
After cleaning, review the agreed faces and components together where accessible. Distinguish remaining dirt from existing damage. For future visits, dust, pollen, weather exposure and care instructions determine the need; one fixed interval will not suit every installation.
Frequently asked questions
Is window cleaning included?
Only when expressly commissioned. Blind area and glass area are separate items. Clarify frames and sills too, so a combined quote stays clear.
Do the blinds have to be removed?
Not necessarily. Type, material, condition and access determine the method. If removed, agree transport, refitting and responsibility for operation in writing.
Can I request several blind types together?
Yes. Identify the types present. The company must check that it can treat them all appropriately, or whether fabric units, for example, need a different process.
Is pressure washing suitable?
Not as a general method. Pressure can damage components or coatings, and manufacturers prohibit it for certain products. Suitability for the specific installation matters.
How often should blinds be cleaned?
Consider condition, surroundings and care instructions. After the first visit, discuss a suitable schedule. An exposed installation may need different care from a sheltered indoor blind.
