Your window coverings can effortlessly enhance your living space. However, keeping them in great condition can be challenging if you don’t know the proper way to do it. Our team at Rocky Mountain Shutters & Shades has tips and tricks on how to clean blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery in your home!
Always Consider…
When it comes to cleaning your window treatments, following the manufacturer’s recommendations is essential. Whether you’ve purchased your treatments from a store, or installed them yourself, referring to accompanying booklets or tags for cleaning instructions is the best thing you can do for your window treatments. Since each type of window covering may have unique cleaning requirements, following specific guidelines is crucial.
Cleaning Blinds & Shutters
Did you know that blinds and shutters are often comprised of the same materials? Therefore, the cleaning methods for both can easily overlap!
Regular Dusting: Utilize a handheld duster, cloth, or gloves made of clean, dry microfiber fabric. There are window blind cleaning kits that have various tools. To clean, close the slats to a flat position and dust them side-to-side. Follow this by tilting them upward for a more thorough cleaning. Consider investing in an extension dusting kit for those hard-to-reach areas.
Small Areas: Some places in a home can be tough to clean. We recommend using a clean, dry toothbrush or a natural fiber paintbrush. Either of these options will help you get a precise clean.
If you have to clean tough spots off of your treatments like wood, metal, composite blinds, or shutters, you will need a variety of cleaning agents. Therefore, be mindful of the materials you are using so they do not damage your window coverings.
Window Shades and Fabric Blinds
While beautiful, cleaning fabric window treatments requires additional care to maintain their appearance. We strongly encourage adding dusting to your regularly scheduled cleaning routine. Dust build-up can be hard to eliminate if not taken care of continuously. Thus, it causes dust, dirt, and allergens to stay in the atmosphere. Adjust fabric shades or vertical blinds to a closed position for easier access to flat surfaces. Then, you can add the following options to achieve the optimal level of cleanliness.
Canned Air: This method is popular for fabric shades as it prevents dust from spreading. It prevents your shades from being pressed, which can damage the shape of them. There are two options, a canned air rechargeable dusting tool or disposable cans of air, that can help your window treatments remain clean.
Vacuum Attachment: Use an upholstery attachment with your vacuum cleaner set to a low setting for gentle cleaning. This versatile vacuum cleaner is a great example of one that has a sliding section that allows you to have control over the suction. A bonus is that it comes with two upholstery cleaning tools!
Microfiber Cloth, Duster, or Gloves: These are great tools to employ for regular cleaning. They are ideal for dusting window shades. Start by closing your windows and dusting from one end to the other. Only utilize this if you are cleaning them regularly. If there is a build-up of dust, it may cause additional dust to sweep across the fabric.
Spot Cleaning: Let’s say you have visible dirt on your fabric shades. One way to address this is by dampening your sponge in lukewarm water, completely squeezing out excess water, and wiping the shades delicately. Let the shades dry completely before you proceed with stacking them or rolling them.
Cleaning Draperies and Curtains
There are definitely some fabrics that can handle the washing machine but there are others that need to avoid it entirely. Identify the fabric of your draperies or curtains to determine the appropriate way to clean them. Let’s explore the options.
Dry Cleaning: Most draperies require dry cleaning to prevent shrinking. Check your local dry cleaning business to get a better idea of the costs associated with it.
Steam Cleaning: This method can effectively remove dust while curtains remain hanging. Plus, they can start to dry as soon as you are done since they are already in a hanging position.
Caution: Wetting drapery fabrics may cause color bleeding, so test a small section to make sure it won’t negatively affect your window treatments.
Machine Washing: For machine-washable curtains, opt for a delicate cycle with cold water and air dry as soon as they are finished. You can hang them to dry or lay them flat.
Dealing with Pet Dander
If you have pets and feel like you’re struggling to keep the pet dander and fur off of your window treatments, we have some tips for you. To prevent fur buildup, raise your curtains above the floor during vacuuming. This can help catch excess fur. After you’re done vacuuming, you can use the upholstery attachment on your cleaner to remove additional fur that is still present on your window treatments. If you’re in a rush and want to quickly remove some visible hair, use a lint roller! It is great for those small amounts when you don’t have much time.
Maintaining your window treatments ensures their longevity and enhances the look and feel of your home. For personalized advice on how to best clean blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery, consult the manufacturer or where you purchased them. If you’ve chosen Rocky Mountain Shutters & Shades, we’re here to assist you with suggestions. Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation. We can’t wait to help you!
