With the time for spring cleaning just around the corner, a lot of people are going to be busy wiping the old cabinets, medicine chests, and replacing out-dated items with new ones. It is the perfect time to replenish the mind, and refresh a home. However, window shades and blinds are usually one of the most neglected parts of a home when it comes to cleaning.
Cleaning them is not difficult, but knowing which type requires which method is important.
This extensive post will guide you on how to clean any window shade, whether you have roman, woven wood, or another type.
The wide variety of colours and fabrics makes roller shades one of the most popular types there are. These highly customizable window treatments come with light-filtering options and offer much greater light control. You can clean them in a few easy steps:
• Vacuuming both sides of a classic vinyl roller shade, with a soft brush tool is great for getting rid of the small dirt and dust particles. You can start at the top of the window covering and then gradually vacuum your way down while going side-to-side.
• Wipe off any excess stains or dirt with a piece of cloth or sponge soaked in mild dishwashing detergent and lukewarm water. Wipe the sections separately until the entire thing is cleaned.
• Afterwards, leave it to dry out.
• Giving your vinyl shades a bath is also a good idea. Use a soft brush to clean both sides. Once you are done rinse, air-dry and hang it up.
Cellular Shades, also known as honeycomb, are the most versatile window covering there is. These window treatments are perfect for insulation. The small honeycomb-like cells prevent air from escaping or entering and increases the energy efficiency of your home.
Best of all, when it comes to shades, these are probably the easiest to clean.
• All you need to do is set the dusting tool of your vacuum on low suction and dust it thoroughly.
• You can choose to blot any stains too with lukewarm water, a mild dish detergent, and a sponge.
Pro Tip: Gently dab to clean, instead of rubbing the fabric of cellular shades.
If you want window treatments made of organic materials, for adding an eclectic style to your interiors, then nothing works better than woven wood shades. However, there are just a few points to remember while cleaning them.
• Sadly, the natural materials make these very vulnerable to water. Hence, it is better to dust rather than wash the surface of a bamboo or wood shade.
• For highly textured window coverings made of finer grass materials, use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum to gently lift the dust away.
• Hold the fabric from behind to avoid it getting sucked into the vacuum.
• Use a damp cloth for a more thorough cleaning, if needed. Just make sure that the water is not dripping from the cloth.
• Give preference to dry cleaning and dusting when it comes to this type.
Sheer is a very lightweight and soft fabric. This means you need to pay special attention when cleaning them.
• Run a feather duster along the surface of the window covering, cleaning it off any dirt and dust that has been accumulated on it.
• After that, vacuum it with a soft brush attachment for a more thorough cleaning.
• Lastly, soak a sponge or a piece of soft cloth in a mixture of mild soap and warm water, and gently wipe it down from top to bottom to remove any stain.
Being one of the sturdiest window coverings there is, solar shades are a preferred choice for those who like to open their windows frequently and let the light in. These window treatments can sometimes prevent mould and moisture too. Simply stated, these are possibly the best protection against the sun that you can install on your home.
But that’s just one part of the story. Despite their durability, there is a chance that dust and dirt, from both inside and outside of your home, will build upon them, Due to this very reason, many homeowners worry about their maintenance.
Nevertheless, maintaining them is quite easy.
• All you need to do is wipe them clean with mild soap water and a soft cloth if they get dusty.
• Unlike other types, you need to rub them in multiple directions, since they have a tight weave for blocking the sun.
• Leave it to dry out after cleaning.
• Using a feather duster is also a viable solution for getting rid of any dirty spot.
Roman shades are the perfect combination of the elegance of draperies and the modern convenience of shades. These unique window treatments come with a two-fold style and are made of various materials. The method of cleaning them is quite similar to cleaning curtains and draperies.
Gently vacuum the folded sections at the top, and then move towards the downside.
For spot cleaning, dip a piece of cloth in water and mild detergent, and rinse and blot dry the product.
Cleaning your window shades is not that difficult, and hopefully, with these tips, you will be able to keep these window treatments clean and last longer. Now that you understand the approach you need to take to clean the different types of window shades, you will know what is the right choice for your home.
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