Ever wonder how to best clean your window blinds and shades?

As we gear up for Spring, and amidst the warmer weather comes the inevitable Spring Clean!
This year, be sure not to overlook your window coverings – they can collect dust over the Winter months. To clear your conscience (and your view), consider our top 7 recommendations for cleaning your window shades this season.

COMMON CLEANING METHODS:

DUSTING

Regular light dusting maintains a like-new appearance for most window shadings. A feather duster or micro fibre cloth work best – avoid using clothes with chemicals in them such the wet Swiffer clothes. The chemical residue can remain on your product (Ex. wood blinds) and react with UV rays to discolour your slats.
COMPRESSED AIR or HAIR DRYER (non-heat setting)
Simply use your hairdryer to blow dust off your window coverings. Great for fabric blinds such as; honeycomb and Silhouette shades.

VACUUMING

For deeper cleaning, vacuum gently with a brush attachment using any vacuum cleaner, and with a vertical stroke. This is an easy method you can use on your sheers, drapes and vertical vanes. Remember to turn the suction down on your vacuum cleaner to avoid damaging your window covering.
ULTRASONIC CLEANING*

Professional ultrasonic cleaning is recommended for several products
INJECTION/ EXTRACTION SYSTEM*

This type of cleaning injects a cleaning solution into the fabric and immediately extracts the dirty solution. It is a very effective way to deep clean your window treatments, and is typically performed in the home.

*For this method, we recommend you leave it to the professionals! Search your local listings for an experienced blind cleaner in your area.

SPOT CLEANING

As they say “accidents happen” – most fabric blinds and drapes can be spot-cleaned. To spot clean your drapes, shades or blinds use a soft cloth or sponge, moistened with lukewarm water. Add mild detergent if needed. Blot gently to avoid creasing or damaging the fabric. I will usually hold a dry cloth on one side of the fabric to absorb the stain while I blot with the moist cloth.
BATHTUB CLEANING/ WATER IMMERSION This method can be used for Faux wood blinds such as the Everwood® Collection,  and aluminum blinds. Avoid using this method on bamboo or woven wood shades. Just immerse the slats of your blind in lukewarm water and gently swish water thru the slates. Be careful not to immerse the headrail as not all the parts are stainless steel and may corrode.

Remember when dust particles are allowed to settle in the weave of your fabric window coverings these particles will react with the UV rays of the sun and crystallize. Think of these little bits of dust crystals as tiny shards of glass that wear out the fibre’s of your curtains and blinds. Keeping your window coverings clean will not only make them look like new but will help extend their life span.

 

 

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