When you’ve invested in new window treatments of any type, you want them to look their best at all times. Cleaning and maintenance of your window shading products differ according to their type. They are all quite simple to keep in pristine condition with little maintenance necessary. Read on to find out how to clean your specific types of products.
Why Do Window Treatments Need Cleaning?
Window treatments tend to trap dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens in them when you open your windows to get a breath of fresh air on a nice day. Long drapery panels or sheer panels made of fabric that are close to the floor trap the most allergens in them. After quite a bit of time, these allergens will have an impact on the air quality in your home, and people with allergies will be impacted. It’s a good idea to clean your window treatments when you clean your home once a week, and it only takes a few minutes.
Basic Cleaning Tips for Different Types of Window Treatments
Different types of window treatments need different types of care, and the materials that they are made of determine your cleaning method.
Alternative Wood Products, Vinyl, and Sheer Shades
Faux wood or composite blinds and shutters are cleaned in the same manner. You can just wipe them down with a dryer sheet to remove dust and allergens. Close your blinds, shades, or shutters of these types and wipe the front down, then the rear. Then open the louvers on your shutters or the vanes on your blinds and swipe across each horizontal piece to thoroughly clean them. Dryer sheets are antistatic so using them helps to repel dust and allergens on them.
To remove a stubborn stain, dip a clean cloth into a solution of warm water with dish soap. Wring out the cloth, so it is barely damp, and dab at the stain to remove it.
Fabric Roller Shades
Depending on the type of fabric you choose for your window shades, it may need attention to maintain a uniform appearance down the entire length of the shade. You should first remove any allergens, dust, and pollen by using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean both sides of the shade from top to bottom. Then you can occasionally use a handheld steamer on the lowest setting to stream the shades from the top to the bottom, on the front and rear sides, so they release any wrinkles.
Draperies
Draperies are pretty easy to maintain as well. When you close your drapes at night before bed, just give them a shake to release debris and allergens and keep dirt and dust from getting deep down into the fibers. About once a month, clean them with a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush from top to bottom on both sides of the fabric while paying special attention to the bottom where debris is most likely to pool.
Sheer Panels
Sheer panels can be cleaned in the same manner as draperies by shaking them out and then vacuuming them with a soft brush attachment. However, do not touch the fabric with the brush because the sheer fabric can be damaged easily. If you have something splashed on your sheer panels, you should have a professional give them a deeper cleaning.
Wood Products
Wood blinds and shutters are cleaned in the same manner as each other. You can use a feather duster, a clean cloth or a dusting mitt to wipe down each side while closed and then in between each horizontal vane or slat. Never use any type of damp item or cleaner on wood products, because over time they will tend to lose their integrity and can warp, crack or bend.
Roman Shades and Sheer Shades
Clean these types of window treatments by vacuuming them with a soft brush attachment. If you happen to have bugs that are stuck in the pleats, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow them out, so they don’t stain your shades. If you get something on them to stain them, spot-treat the fabric with a laundry stain remover and dab the spot away. If you have a very stubborn stain, you should have your shades professionally cleaned.
Bamboo and Woven Wood Shades
These products are durable and sustainable. Wipe them down with a microfiber cloth on both sides and then vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. Don’t use any type of cleaners on them, because since they are real wood, it can damage the fibers.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Your Window Treatments
Only use microfiber dusters to clean your window treatments, and never use a plastic duster. Plastic dusters can pull fabric and materials of all kinds and cause damage.
Don’t aggressively scrub on your window treatments because this can also damage them.
Never use bleach or any other type of chemical cleaner to remove stains from your window treatments.
Don’t ever apply water or liquids to hardwood window treatment products.
Need Professional Cleaning for Your Window Treatments?
Custom window treatments are made of premium quality materials and fabrics, and they should be kept clean to preserve them. If you aren’t sure about cleaning any type of window treatment, contact us at The Blind Broker of St. Louis for professional cleaning services. We can keep your window shading solutions in pristine condition and clean them thoroughly while protecting them.
