Window Treatments: How to Keep them Beautiful and Clean

Window treatments are not just decoration; they allow you to control the amount of light (and even cold or warm air) coming in and going out. Protecting the inside from bright sunlight helps to avoid bleaching of furniture or staining of wooden floors. It also provides privacy. All window treatments should be dusted monthly while deep-cleaning techniques depend on the material. Here’s a cleaning guide from the green cleaning maids at MOLLY MAID.

Fabric shades:  Dust using the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction); dry clean if necessary and if possible once a year.

Fabric vertical blinds:  Close blinds so they are flat. Dust with the dust-brush tool on the vacuum. If you need to spot clean, take down the specific slat and lay it on a flat surface. Blot the stain with a sponge dampened with mild dishwashing liquid and tepid water. Treat heavy stains with a commercial upholstery cleaner (but first test on an inconspicuous spot).

Metal and vinyl Venetian and vertical blinds: Close blinds so they are flat against the window. Moving from the top to bottom, dust with a feather duster, lamb’s-wool duster, barely damp soft cloth or the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (on low suction). Reverse the blinds so they close in the opposite direction and repeat. For deep cleaning, wipe each slat individually with a cloth dampened with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid.

Pleated shades:  Dust using the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (on low suction). Regular vacuuming is the only way to clean these shades.

Draperies and curtains:  Dust using the upholstery tool on the vacuum (on low suction). For washable materials, launder on gentle and hang to dry; iron while damp. Otherwise, dry clean.

Wood blinds and shutters:  Close slats so they are flat. Working from top to bottom, dust with a feather duster, a lamb’s-wool duster, microfibre or electrostatic cloth or the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (on low). Close them in the opposite direction and repeat.

Woven wood and bamboo shades:  Dust with the dust-brush tool of the vacuum (on low suction). Gently wipe with a lightly dampened clean white cloth.

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