Cleaning Tips for Shades and Blinds

Vital Tips for Shades and Blinds Cleaning

In this blog entry, the shade and blind experts here at Los Angeles Shades and Blinds will detail some vital cleaning tips for various kinds of shades and blinds.

General Cleaning Tips

1. Dust and vacuum on both sides of curtains and drapes
2. Make sure to focus on the top of curtains and drapes, as creases can accumulate dust – regardless of the type of fold
3. After dusting and vacuuming, look for any damage like broken loops or stitching, or sagging hems
4. Spot clean any soiled areas of drapes and shades as soon as you see the stain
5. Never use strong spot removers or detergents on drapes or curtains

Pleated Shade Cleaning Tips

1. Take the shade off the window and put it on a flat surface
2. Vacuum on both sides, including pleat
3. Use aerosol foam sprays or fabric cleaners like Woolite to clean off fingerprints or soiling. Rub the area with a damp and clean sponge gently, parallel to pleats – never crush the fabric.
4. Take off water by blotting with a dry piece of cloth, and then hang the shade when dry

Cellular and Honeycomb Shade Cleaning Tips

1. Dust or vacuum with a feather duster or upholstery attachment on your vacuum
2. Use a blowdryer on coolest lowest settings to blow out dust inside cells
3. Clean off shade with a clean sponge and mild detergent (and warm water) and blot it dry
4. Never dry clean cellular shades
5. Be extra careful when cleaning blackout fabrics which can more easily get creased

Roman Shade Cleaning Tips

1. Dust or vacuum shades
2. Take all dowels off flat shades – leaving strings attached
3. Wash according to fabric instructions and hang dry
4. Press or steam out all wrinkles, then rehang
5. If your roman shades are non-washable, dry clean them ONLY when soiled

Vertical Fabric Blind Cleaning Tips

1. Dust or vacuum on both sides of the blind vanes
2. If blinds are soiled, remove the vane and put it on a flat surface. Use a dry fabric cleaner or sponge with warm water and mild detergent to spot clean and blot dry. Test any upholstery cleaner on a small and non-visible area of the blind before cleaning on other parts
3. NEVER immerse blinds in water or dry clean them!

Wood and Bamboo Shade Cleaning Tips

1. Dust with a feather duster or cloth
2. Vacuum with a bush or uphlstry attachment from top to bottom
3. If the shade is soiled, don’t get it too wet, but wipe it gently with a slightly damp white cloth