Like everything in your home, your window coverings need to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep them looking and operating like they did when they were brand new.
Whilst the window coverings sold by Urban Blinds are made and designed to last with durability in mind they can be damaged if they aren’t treated with care and caution during the cleaning process.
Cleaning window coverings is the best way to remove dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris from Venetian Slats and Roller/Roman blind fabric.
To avoid accidentally damaging your window coverings whilst cleaning make sure you avoid these mistakes;
Using harsh chemicals
Some homeowners resort to using harsh industrial-power cleaners to get deep stains out of their blinds or to remove scratches and discolorations. However, strong cleaners can ruin your window treatments by discolouring the fabric further and potentially running your blinds all together. If your window coverings are heavily stained and need heavy-duty cleaning, call a professional cleaning service.
Not reading the cleaning and care instructions
Window coverings almost always come with instructions on how they are best maintained. Vacuuming dust off your roller blinds, using a damp cloth on your venetian blinds are just some of these tips. Make sure you keep the instructions provided or call your supplier for advice.
Not spot-treating before applying a cleaning solution to visible areas
After reading your instructions or talking to your supplier its best to test the product you’re planning to use. Choose an ‘unseen’ part of your blind and apply the cleaning solution, leave for a few minutes or even hours (to be sure). If there are no changes in colouring or damage then continue with the product. If there is any damage or discolouration then do not use. Or to be safe call us and arrange for a free sample to be sent for you to test on.
Using too much water and soaking the window treatment
When cleaning blinds you’ll no doubt need water along with your cleaning solution. Make sure you completely wring out your sponge/cloth before using them on your window covering, as using something soaked in water can result in water stains on the fabric, discoloration and warping on wooden blinds (due to the wood soaking up the moisture). A handy tip is to have a clean dry cloth ready to wipe away any excess moisture.
Not treating/cleaning spills and stains immediately
If something is spilt or splashed onto your window covering time is of the essence. To prevent the liquid from settling in the fibres of the fabric and becoming a deep-seated stain be ready to jump into action right away by using a damp cloth to soak up as much of the liquid as you can – do not rub the fabric as this can cause a bigger/deeper stain. Try using spot-cleaning treatments designed for clothes to further draw out liquid and prevent the stain from becoming permanent.
Although cleaning window coverings seems as easy as wiping them or vacuuming them, knowing the correct cleaning products to use is important in ensuring the fabric or material isn’t damaged in the process. If ever unsure call your supplier and get some cleaning advice.
As a final note when buying new window coverings check that the fabric you are buying is of a high quality. The best way to confirm this is to ask for a fact sheet of the fabric that details the fabric composition and certifications. If your blinds come with a best price guarantee or have budget in the name then they are probably using inferior materials. They may look great on day one but tend to deteriorate a lot quicker in our environment and can become a challenge when it comes to cleaning and up keep.
