Start with a dust-down, not a deep clean
Before anything else, a simple vacuum with a brush attachment or a microfibre dust wand over every blind, shutter louvre and curtain hem removes most of what’s built up over winter, closed windows and heaters running both add more dust than people expect. Do this room by room rather than all at once, it’s a lot less to tackle in one go.
Roller and honeycomb blinds
Roller blinds generally just need a wipe with a barely damp cloth, fully wet cleaning can warp the fabric or the roller tube. Honeycomb blinds are trickier since the pleated cells collect dust, a handheld vacuum on low suction with a brush head works better than wiping, which can crush the cells.
Venetians and plantation shutters
Venetian blinds, aluminium especially, are the easiest to clean properly. Close the slats, wipe one direction, then reverse and wipe the other. Plantation shutters take the same approach on each louvre, and it’s worth checking the tilt rod and hinges move freely while you’re there, a light silicone spray sorts most stiff hinges.
Curtains
Check the care label before anything else, some fabrics are dry-clean only. A lot of made-to-measure curtains can be taken down and gently machine washed on a delicate cycle, but check first, and always re-hang while still slightly damp to avoid the hem needing re-ironing.
When it’s time to replace rather than clean
Fabric that’s visibly sun-faded on one side, a roller mechanism that’s stopped tracking straight, or shutter louvres that won’t hold their angle any more, these are all signs a clean won’t fix. If you’re only going to properly address one or two rooms this spring, it’s usually the room that gets the most direct sun, that’s where fabric and mechanisms wear fastest.