wood blinds

How to Clean Your Window Treatments

Posted on by Brendan Killian

While cleaning your window treatments may not be the first thing on your to-do list, it’s important to make sure to give them some care once in a while to ensure you aren’t holding onto dust mites, stains and more that can make your living situation quite uncomfortable!

Hiring professional cleaners is always a good bet for the long run, but knowing some easy ways to clean your window treatments without the help of professionals can save you money in the long run. We’ll go over cleaning regimens for some of the most popular window treatments below.

Cellular shades

These pleated shades come in a variety of styles and can often attract trapped dirt that can eventually cause them to appear stained or yellowish. Here are our top three tips to keeping your cellular shades clean and neat:

  1. Use a damp cloth to remove stubborn stains. Gently blot at the aforementioned spot to remove any excess coloring.
  2. Use a blow dryer to loosen trapped dirt and dust before going over your shades with the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
  3. Remember to clean with care! Cellular shades have a unique shape that can be easily damaged if dealt with too roughly.

Draperies

Fabric window treatments will need specific treatment based on their particular fabric. It’s important to check what kind of treatments you’re dealing with, as some fabrics may require extra care. For a general cleaning, you can:

  • Spot clean with a damp rag and gentle detergent.
  • Use a duster or the attachment on your vacuum to remove excess dust and dirt.

Solar shades

Because this type of window treatment is designed specifically for indoor or outdoor wear, they are usually quite durable – many are made with stain-resistant fabric and built to hold up against weather conditions. For this reason, they can be handled less gently than other treatments. Here are some tricks:

  • Use a feather duster to remove excess dust, and a vacuum attachment for more stuck-on debris.
  • Use a cloth damp with soap and water and wipe thoroughly, rinsing and letting air dry afterward.
  • Spot test harsher cleaners if they need a little extra TLC. Leave a small drop on the underside of the shades check to see if they stain or otherwise damage the shades before using all over.

Aluminum blinds

One of the easiest types of window treatments to care for, aluminum blinds can be cleaned in a few easy steps:

  1. Dust or wipe with a dry rag for easy, intermittent debris removal.
  2. Fill a spray bottle with cold water and soap, then spray on blinds before wiping clean.
  3. For a once-in-a-while deep cleaning, remove blinds completely and soak in water/soap filled bathtub before drying and replacing.

Wood blinds

While wood blinds tend to remain pretty clean, they should be handled with care when it’s time to give them a little attention. Here are some things to remember when cleaning your wood blinds:

  • Water can cause warping and discoloration in some wood blinds, so be careful not to use wet materials to clean this window treatment.
  • Use a dust cloth or dry rage to wipe off any excess dust from your blinds.
  • Use the vacuum brush attachment to suck away any unwanted debris when dusting just isn’t enough.

There you have it! To learn more about the different types of window treatments and speak to a dedicated staff member with any questions you may have, visit our website or call (720) 594-3005.