It seems as though life gets busier every day. When your obligations for the day are finished, most people barely have time to relax, let alone clean their window coverings. That’s why window treatments are frequently the most overlooked item when you tend your house. Unfortunately, a lack of regular upkeep will lead to faster wear and tear and discoloration of your blinds and shades. There is no one-size-fits-all for cleaning shades. Every material must be treated differently. We’ve put together some tips to make cleaning your window treatments quick and easy.

• Cotton: Cotton becomes soiled rather quickly and requires frequent cleaning. The good news is that cotton curtains are resilient and can be hand washed at home. If they’re filthy you can also machine wash them on the delicate cycle.
• Synthetic Fabric: These tend to be more delicate than other materials and should be cleaned by professionals. If you’re feeling confident about cleaning synthetic fabric at home, they should be hand washed only with very mild detergent. Roller shades tend to be crafted from synthetic material and should be rolled out flat onto the floor for cleaning.
• Faux Wood: Faux wood is one of the easier materials to clean. You can dust them using a vacuum with a brush attachment or a soft cloth. For stubborn marks or stains, you can use a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove them. Be sure to thoroughly dry your faux wood window treatments after.
• Wood: Parkland® Wood Blinds and Heritance® Hardwood Shutters are both fantastic wood window treatment options. Due to its porous nature, wood attracts and retains moisture. This means it can be easily stained. Your best defense is to remove dust and smudges regularly using furniture polish.

Cleaning Tip for all Window Treatments

All window coverings should be vacuumed weekly to prevent dust and household debris from building up. Ensure every pleat and fold is thoroughly cleaned. When handwashing, use a gentle squeezing technique, rinse completely, and use a no heat cycle in the dryer. Dust and pet hair can be easily removed from fabric blinds by using a lint roller. If grease and odor have settled into kitchen window treatments, use a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water with a microfiber cloth to blot the stains away. Never hang blinds on their hardware while they are still wet. This will rust the hardware and could damage the floor and surrounding furniture.

Contact SuperShade South

Are you feeling more confident in your ability to clean your window coverings? If cleaning isn’t an option and you need to replace your window treatments, give us a call at (954) 455-1965 to schedule a consultation. We offer free estimates, professional measuring and installation services, and interior design consultations. Our family has been serving the area for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to continue our local legacy. Our showroom is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and we’re proud to serve the areas of Boca Raton, Aventura, Hollywood, North Miami, and Hallandale, FL.