How to Keep Your Blinds & Window Coverings Looking New

Let’s face it – we live in a dusty province and this can be a challenge when trying to keep our blinds and shades looking fresh. Pollutants, dust and insects can settle on your blinds and this can trigger asthma, allergies or just plain untidiness.

Follow these tips to help your window coverings look like they were just installed, however please keep in mind to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.

Woods, Faux Wood or Aluminum Venetians

how to clean wood blinds, aluminum or faux wood blinds We love our slatted blinds in this area, but these are the dustiest culprits of them all. Using a microfiber cloth, you can close the slats and wipe each slat down. You can reverse the tilt and then get the other side. For the aluminum blinds, you may find it easier to use a vacuum with an upholstery brush, especially if they have not been cleaned for a length of time.

Real Wood blinds are treated like furniture – a simple wipe with your dusting cloth when you dust your furniture will keep them beautiful for years to come.

Drapery and Curtains

How to clean drapes, drapery and curtains in Calgary. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning, for many designer fabrics cannot be washed as they will lose their finish. A light vacuum with the upholstery brush especially along the top of the pleats will help repel any dust. Alternately, after removing the hooks, you could put the curtains in the dryer on air tumble depending on the pleat and design of the drapery.

If it is custom drapery use extra caution and check with your designer. If you need to spot wash it, test an inconspicuous area first to ensure that the fabric won’t change color and try putting the cleaner on the cloth and dab the spot.

Rollers and Honeycombs

How to clean honey comb shades and roller blinds in Calgary, Alberta. These are the easiest to maintain and keep clean. Simply using them will repel any dust settling on them. A light vacuum a few times a year will keep these window coverings fresh.

The cellular shades can be spot cleaned using a stain-buster cloth or a light baby wipe. You could also consider having these professionally cleaned by a company that used ultrasonic cleaning methods. Please be sure to check the business’s methods of cleaning before approving their services.

Silhouettes and Pirouettes

How to clean silhouettes and pirouettes These delicate beauties will require extra caution when insects go into the pirouettes or the silhouettes vanes. A hair dryer on cool, compressed air or a vacuum on blow can take out closer insects. But, if your blind is extra wide and the pesky bug is in the center, try getting a smooth pole with sticky tape on it and ever so gently insert it in the vane while someone helps you hold the shade out and still.

Take extra caution not to snag the sheer as this will cause permanent damage. This is not the best scenario; however, it is an option to consider if you cannot get them professionally cleaned.

With regular cleaning and a quick wipe or light vacuum your blinds and shades can look new for years to come. Simply exercising them will repel some dust and pollutants off and also allows you to enjoy them!