How to Remove Nicotine Stains From Vertical Blinds

How to Remove Nicotine Stains From Vertical Blinds
Written By
Mary Ylisela
Mary Ylisela
Published: Aug 17, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

It's best to clean your blinds while hanging to prevent damage to the material. You can remove nicotine stains and odor from your blinds with supplies found readily around the home to regain a clean, fresh window treatment.

Things You Will Need

  • Old sheet
  • Bucket
  • 1 qt. white vinegar
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladder
  • Cotton cloths
  • Old toothbrush
  1. Lay old bed sheets on the floor beneath the vertical blinds. Leave the sheets in place to catch moisture dripping off the blinds during the stain removal process.

  2. Combine 1 qt. hot water with 1 qt. white vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda in a bucket. Stir the solution to mix well.

  3. Use a ladder to avoid a sore neck from cleaning blinds.
  4. Position a ladder near the blinds for easier access to the top portions of the blinds. Soak a clean cloth in the grease-cutting solution and wring out excess moisture.

  5. Place the palm of one hand behind the vertical blind to support and hold it in place. Scrub a two-foot section of one side of the blind with the vinegar and baking soda solution. Apply more cleaning solution and repeat on the other side of the blind.

  6. Step down off the ladder and repeat Step 4 for the remaining length of the blind.

  7. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub stains away.
  8. Dip a wet toothbrush in baking soda and use it to scrub any nicotine stains that are difficult to remove.

  9. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for each individual vertical blind slat. Rinse each blind by wiping it off with a damp cloth. Dry the blinds with another cloth.

The Drip Cap

  • Vertical blinds allow light to filter into your room, but unless the window is open, cigarette smoke and nicotine stains stop at the surface of your blinds.
  • It's best to clean your blinds while hanging to prevent damage to the material.
  • Leave the sheets in place to catch moisture dripping off the blinds during the stain removal process.
  • Dry the blinds with another cloth.

Photo Credits

BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images

BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images

Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Mary Ylisela

Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.