The Proper Care and Maintenance of Custom Window Treatments

Even if you’re the type of person who is extremely vigilant about cleaning your home, it’s not altogether unlikely that some things get overlooked. And let’s face it, keeping our homes spotless is a constant daily challenge that many of us struggle with. So, it’s possible that your custom window treatments aren’t getting the care and attention that they need. Just like everything else in your home, window treatments require some maintenance to keep them looking as great as the first day they were installed. Depending on what type of treatment you have, cleaning might be more complicated and need done less often, while some require a more regular touch. Here’s some tips for common types of window treatments.

Blinds and Shades

There are lots of different types of blinds but for all types you want to start by dusting. Use a microfiber cloth or other lint free duster and carefully wipe across each individual slat in the blinds. Vacuuming lightly with a soft brush on the hose is another good way to remove dust, especially for cellular or fabric blinds.  For faux wood, aluminum, or vinyl blinds, a solution of warm water and soap will do to clean the slats nicely. The same is true of roller shades: wipe down with soapy water and leave open to dry. When dealing with wooden blinds or woven wood or bamboo shades, never use water or abrasive solutions as they could cause damage to the wood. Furniture polish is a much better alternative to keep the wood looking nice and shiny.

For cellular shades, you will want to blow to the dust out of the cells. You can either use a blow dryer or a can of compressed air. With cellular and fabric blinds, you will want to spot clean any stains or dirt with a gentle cleaner, making sure to blot away any excess water or liquid so as not to leave any water spots. Some fabric shades, like roman shades, can be disassembled and machine washed or dry cleaned. If your window treatments have tags, refer to them for cleaning instructions but if your treatments are custom made, they probably aren’t machine washable and should definitely be dry cleaned.  

Draperies and Curtains

Handling draperies and curtains is much the same as fabric blinds. You can regularly shake out draperies and curtains to remove any loose dust that sticks to them. For a deeper dust removal, lightly vacuuming with a soft brush is recommended. Pay close attention to pleats in the fabric, as they are more likely to collect and hold dust. Spot cleaning can once again be done with water and a gentle cleanser while deep cleaning, done less regularly, might require a professional touch. Sheer curtains should be handled with care and should probably never be machine washed.

It’s always best to err on the side of caution when caring for you window treatments. With custom treatments, always refer to the designers for proper maintenance techniques. Another tip to remember is that when cleaning the windows themselves, never spray cleaner directly onto the window, as back spray could end up on your window treatments and cause damage. Instead, spray cleaner onto the cloth you will use to clean.

If you’re in the market for some custom window treatments for your home, Carmen’s Custom Window Treatments would be happy to help. Carmen’s has been providing window treatments for over 70 years in the greater Cleveland area. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our designers. You can also call us with any questions you may have concerning your current window treatments!