Do you need tips for Cleaning Blinds and other window coverings in your Omaha area home? We’ve got them! Just like the other design elements and accents of your home, your window treatments should be regularly maintained. Let’s take a look at the details…
Our Disclaimer
Depending on where you purchased your window coverings, cleaning them should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Certain fabrics and materials can be affected by various cleaning processes or agents, so please refer to any paperwork that you may have received. You might have the option to look information up on the company’s website. If you purchased custom window treatments from our team at Integrated Windows, we’d be happy to help guide you!
#1 Cleaning Blinds & Shutters
Since the materials of blinds and shutters are considered “hard treatments,” the cleaning process will look similar.
- Regular dusting is the best way to tackle cleaning blinds and shutters. These window blind cleaning kits come with the necessary tools.
- Close the slats or louvers. Move the cleaning tool side-to-side to dust. If you have hard-to-reach areas that need to be dusted, an extension dusting kit will be essential.
- Open the slats or louvers the opposite direction to gently dust the other side.
- For small areas, like shutter hinges, a clean, dry toothbrush or and unused natural fiber paintbrush are both acceptable.
If your hard treatments have spots or tough dirt that need to be cleaned, be mindful to choose a product that is appropriate for the surface you are cleaning.
#2 Fabric Window Shades & Blinds
Now…it’s time to talk fabric. When it comes to cleaning blinds, it’s one thing. But, cleaning shades or fabric blinds is another topic. There’s a lot more to be cautious of. Just like hard treatments, your window shades need to be regularly cleaned. Dust build-up not only causes allergens to remain in your home, but the more dust that accumulates, the bigger the chance it will be difficult to remove.
- Just like cleaning blinds, a dry, clean microfiber cloth can be used to regularly dust fabric shades and fabric blinds.
- Begin by closing the window shades to flatten them as much as possible.
- Use caution not to press against textured shades.
The following methods are additional ways to clean fabric window shades:
- Canned Air: Cleaning window shades with canned air has become a popular choice. It removes the dust, but doesn’t compromise the shape of the shade, or put pressure on the fabric. There are two choices to look into for this method: canned air rechargeable dusting tool, or with disposable cans of air.
- The Vacuum: Often considered a proper way to clean window shades, the best method utilizes an upholstery attachment and a vacuum with a low setting. Consider a versatile vacuum cleaner similar to this one with adjustable settings for suction, plus two different options of upholstery cleaning tools.
- Clean, Dry Microfiber: The material of microfiber is available in a variety of forms, like dusters, gloves or plain cloths. Your window shades should be closed, dusting side-to-side for horizontal shades and top down for vertical shades.
- Spot Clean: In the instance that you can see visible dirt, it’s possible to try spot cleaning. Dampen a clean sponge with lukewarm water. Squeeze it to ensure there will be no drops of water. Wipe the spot gently. Let the window shades dry completely before opening them.
How to Clean Draperies & Curtains
To start the process for cleaning draperies or curtains, it’s important to know what type of fabric the window treatments are made of. Fabrics used for draperies are at risk of shrinking or bleeding color. This is why many manufacturers will recommend dry cleaning or specialty cleaning.
- Check your local area for drapery cleaning; find out the process the company follows and the pricing ahead of time.
- Steam cleaning hanging fabrics is one way to rid them of dust–they can remain in place and hang to dry.
- Because wetting draperies can make fabric colors bleed, you should always choose an inconspicuous spot to test ahead of treating them.
- If you’ve decided to use your washing machine to wash curtains, you’ll choose a cold water delicate cycle. It’s recommended that you remove them from the machine right away, hanging to dry or setting them out to lie flat.
- With ironing, defer to manufacturer recommendations, based on specific fabrics.
As a pivotal design element in your home, your window treatments need to be regularly cared for. We’d like to remind you about how important it is to follow manufacturer’s recommendations, or consult paperwork for directions. If there is anything our team at Integrated Windows can do to help, we’d be happy to! We’ll do our best to answer questions about cleaning blinds, shades, shutters and drapery. Contact us today.