1. Follow instructions, always
Unlike your gadgets and appliances, your shades, curtains or drapes may not come with an instruction manual, but we’re pretty sure there’s a label with care instructions somewhere on your product. For instance, some fabrics may not be machine washable and are better entrusted to a professional drapery cleaner. Following instructions is a basic cleaning tip that applies to window treatments – old, new or aged anywhere in between.
2. Eliminate the dust
Dust is as much a part of our atmosphere as oxygen. And the slightest of openings or crevices is enough for dust to stream in stealthily, and layer your window treatments without you being aware. Curtains, shades or drapes covered with dust can easily cause allergic reactions like sneezing, coughing or runny noses. Depending on the type of window treatment, you could either wipe away dust with a microfiber duster or vacuum it with a brush attachment. Make it a point to dust your window treatments at least once a month. And you’ll hear sounds that go like ‘ooh’ and ‘wow’ near your windows, not ‘ah choo’.
3. Spot clean the area
One of the best ways to clean up a stain or blotch on your window treatment is to clean it up before it gets the time to set in. So, instead of wasting precious moments in looking for the culprit to vent your disappointment, choose to find a sponge or soft cloth right away. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can restore your curtains, shades or drapes with a few swipes of that cloth or sponge dampened with either warm water or a mild fabric-friendly detergent.
4. Go for a hand wash
There’s nothing in this world that a pair of nurturing hands cannot make good again. If your window treatment is made of light-weight fabrics, a gentle hand wash may be just what you need to make it new again. Let the curtains, shades or drapes soak in a sink of cold water for the dust and dirt to loosen up. Follow this up with hand washing the fabric using a measured quantity of a mild detergent.
5. Tender care for special fabrics
Fabrics with extra sheen like velvet or silk require a little extra in terms of cleaning and maintenance, to continue being at their shimmering best. A care process that begins with gentle vacuuming (soft bristles only), moves on to wet swiping, includes dry wiping and ends with soft brushing is just the pampering that can get special fabric shades, curtains and drapes to look wonderfully charming and elegant all over again.
6. Blow some steam
Blowing some steam when you’re upset allows you to release pent up emotions rather than bottling them up. Well, releasing some steam onto your precious window fabrics works in a somewhat similar way and helps them release stored up dirt and dust. Besides making your job easier to vacuum or wipe your window treatments, steam cleaners also help kill up to 99% germs, bacteria and dust mites. So, blow some steam (on your window treatments and maintain your calm!)
Your windows are an important design element of your home and clean and well-maintained shades, curtains or drapes will ensure the aesthetics of your windows for years. We hope the tips shared here will help you get the best out of your window treatments all through the year and even beyond. If you happen to be looking for flat roman shades, plantation shutters and drapes, shade window treatments or custom shades for your windows, look us up at Bartlett Blinds and Shutters. We’re a locally operated business with a reputation for serving our community with a wide range of products – blinds, accents, shutters, shades and drapes that’re high quality, customized to your needs and yet affordable.