House Beautiful cleaning advice: 'How can I remove mould from my blinds?'

The vertical blinds in our conservatory have mould growing on them caused by condensation on the windows. I've been considering taking the blinds down and soaking them in the bath overnight in a solution of bleach and water. What do you think?'

House Beautiful's cleaning expert Helen Harrison says: 'If they're metal or another waterproof material, you certainly can soak them in the bath for an hour or two in a solution of hot water and washing-up liquid with a few splashes of bleach. After soaking, wipe the mouldy areas with a soft cloth to remove marks and finish by rinsing off with the shower attachment. If the blinds are made from fabric, I wouldn't recommend this method. Instead, unclip the slats and lay them on a clean, flat surface. Using a soft brush, gently wipe away any dry mould, then clean each one by wiping from top to bottom with a cloth dipped in a mild detergent solution. Blot with a clean cloth dipped in plain water to rinse. Use gentle, repeated applications rather than over-wetting or rubbing hard. For both methods, hang up straight on a washing line to dry to avoid creases.'

See last week's House Beautiful magazine expert tip

Homes inspiration - more brilliant features

My House Beautiful - the bestselling magazine editor's blog

DIY know-how - do-able projects, step by step