From curtains and drapes to shutters and blinds, proper care is needed to keep their beautiful allure. Cleaning not only extends the life of your window treatments but also removes dirt, allergens and bad odors. They’ll not only feel and smell good, but they’ll also look good as new.
Check out our tips!
Drapes and curtains
Curtains are a great way to complete the look of a room, but they’re often sidestepped come cleaning time. Curtain fabrics can trap a lot of allergens and dust, which are common causes of coughing, sneezing and runny noses.
Daily care of curtains and lined draperies is simple. Given them a gentle shake as they are drawn closed at night. This will prevent dust and dirt from lodging in the fibers.
Every month or so, clean them using the lowest setting of a vacuum cleaner. You must pay attention to the bottom half of the drapery as this is where most of the dust accumulates.
Blinds
Blinds are made from wood, metal or plastic. And just like draperies, dust can accumulate on your blinds too.
In cleaning your blinds, vacuum them first to remove cobwebs and debris clinging to the slats. After vacuuming, clean your blinds with a feather duster to pick up even more dust.
On the other hand, vinyl blinds splattered with grease will require a bit more washing than dusty blinds. Dusting and vacuuming alone will not eliminate the greasy buildup.
Soapy water will do. Add a squirt or two of mild dishwashing soap to a bucket of warm water. Dip a sponge into the soapy water and wipe each slat individually, followed by a damp cloth to remove the soap.
Motorized shades
Automated motorized shades offer the convenience of never having to stand up when opening or closing them.
Because motorized blinds contain more moving parts than traditional shades, cleaning them must be done with extra care.
You can use a rubber sponge or a ‘dry sponge‘ to clean your blinds. This tool is designed for removing dust and grime. As the name suggests, a dry sponge works without water to protect the motorized parts of your blinds.
Also, when cleaning motorized shades, you should never soak or spray them. Exposure to water can permanently damage its motorized elements.
Roller shades
To clean classic or vinyl roller shades, use a damp cloth or a sponge dipped in lukewarm water mixed with mild dishwashing soap. Then, wipe the shade in sections, starting at the bottom, working your way upward.
When your shades have accumulated so much dirt and that a simple wipe job won’t cut it, you can give them a bath. Submerge them in warm water with several squirts of mild dishwashing soap. Using a brush with soft bristles, brush both sides of the shades.
Rinse, air-dry, then rehang.
With these tips, you can now care for your window treatments like a pro. You can say goodbye to your dull and dingy curtain and enjoy a clean and dust-free window.
