Cleaning Window Treatments—How Often and How
Regularly cleaning your window treatments can help your draperies, blinds, and shades look their best. Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule can help you achieve this goal.
Unfortunately, once excessive dirt, dust, and grime build-up, getting your window treatments back into good shape becomes extremely challenging. How often and how to clean your window treatments depends on their material, style, and your family's personal habits.
Many homeowners find that regular and careful vacuuming and dusting do the trick. Sometimes, however, you may need more extensive methods. We'll explore ways you can clean your window blinds, shades, and treatments.
How Often Should You Clean Window Treatments?
Your family's lifestyle greatly influences how often you should clean your treatments. A home with more people means an increase in odors and dust. Additionally, if you have smokers, family members with allergies, or pets, you'll want to clean your treatments more.
Pollutants like dust and grime cling to different materials, especially fabric window coverings. While every home differs, dusting off window treatments is good practice when you wipe off surfaces or vacuum your floors.
At the very least, lightly dust and gently vacuum treatments at least once a month with a deep cleaning session every quarter.
How To Clean Fabric Shades
You'll want to regularly clean window shades, but different materials require different cleaning methods. For exotic and luscious fabrics, read their cleaning instructions or call a professional cleaner.
Roller Shades
Extend your shades to their full length and lightly vacuum fabric using the upholstery brush attachment. You can also use a feather duster to remove roller shade dust.
Natural Material Shades
Never use warm water or mild detergent on shades made from natural materials like bamboo and wood. Instead, vacuum with a brush attachment or dust with a lint-free soft cloth or feather duster.
For stains, you can use a lightly damp soft cloth. However, don't get your cloth wet, as excess water can damage the material.
Pleated Shades
To clean shades with pleated fabric start by completely removing them and laying them flat. After vacuuming both sides while following the pleat, grab some fabric cleaner like ScotchGard® or Woolite®.
Spray your foam cleaner and use a non-soiled and damp cloth or sponge to rub the foam in until you remove the stains. You can remove excess warm water using a cloth and let the shades hang and dry naturally without a blow dryer.
How To Clean Window Blinds and Shutters
Whether you have aluminum, wood blinds, or a different material, start by lowering your blinds while keeping their slats facing downward. From the bottom and side to side, dust using a feather duster or cloth.
Turn the blinds' slants upward and repeat this process. You can also use a dryer sheet to help prevent dust from building up again.
How To Clean Custom Curtains and Drapery
Sometimes you may require custom window treatments, especially for certain curtains and drapery. Different custom drapery treatments exist; sometimes, it's better to let a professional handle cleaning your drapery or fabric window treatment.
However, general methods include vacuuming both sides, spot cleaning any soiled spots with a lightly damp cloth, and checking for damage like broken or loose strings or stitching. Never use chemicals or powerful detergents.
Clean Window Coverings Today
Window treatments, curtains, and shades can control sun glare and may have indoor and outdoor uses. Properly cleaning them, however, requires help from professionals. Unsure of how to clean your window treatments? Reach out to the friendly experts at Carmen's Custom Window Treatments today.