Blinds or shades are often the last things we think about when cleaning even though it only takes 30 minutes a month to clear your conscience — and view. But before you get down to the nitty-gritty, you need to figure out what you own. Blinds are made from wood, metal, or a composite and shades are fabric-based. While shades made out of delicate fabrics, like silk, should be professionally cleaned, everything else we can clean.