In this blog entry, the professional Los Angeles shades, blinds, drapery, and curtain installation experts here at Los Angeles Shades and Blinds will detail some useful cleaning tips for fabric window treatments.
Fabric Window Treatment Cleaning Tips
- Dust and vacuum both sides of window treatments
- Pay close attention to tops of curtains and drapes, focusing on creases, pleats, valances, swags, cascades, and cornices
- After cleaning, look for damage like loose or broken string loops, drooping hems, and torn stitching
- Spot clean any stains or soiled areas
- Don’t use strong detergents or spot removers as this can weaken fibers or fade colors
Pleated Shade Cleaning Tips
- Remove shade from window and lay it on a flat surface
- Vacuum on one side then the other following the pleat
- Use spray foam upholstery or fabric cleaner to clean soiled spots or fingerprints
- Spray foam cleaner and rub the area with a clean and damp sponge
- Remove extra water by blotting with a dry cloth and rehang the shade when its dry
Cellular or Honeycomb Shade Cleaning Tips
- Dust with a feather duster or vacuum with a upholstery attachment
- Dust inside cells using a blow dryer on the lowest coolest setting
- Clean with a sponge and a mild detergent and warm water solution
- Be careful when cleaning opaque and blackout fabric to avoid permanently creasing fabrics
Washable Roman Shade Cleaning Tips
- Dust and vacuum shades to remove loose dirt
- Remove dowels from flat shades
- Wash according to fabric instructions and hang dry to avoid dryer shrinkage
- Press or steam out wrinkles, and then restring and rehang them
Non-Washable Roman Shade Cleaning Tips
- Dry clean silk, linen, wool, or fiberglass blend roman shades ONLY when they need cleaning
- Tell the dry cleaner if you’ve ever used chemical spot removers on the shades
Soft Horizontal Blind Cleaning Tips
- Lightly vacuum with a brush attachment
- Spot clean with a soft cloth or sponge with detergent and warm water
- Do not dry clean
Fabric Vertical Blind Cleaning Tips
- Regularly Dust or vacuum top to bottom on both sides with an upholstery attachment
- To remove soiling, take down the vane and leave it on a flat surface. Use a dry fabric cleaner or a sponge with mild detergent and warm water, then blot dry. Test any commercial upholstery cleaner on a small inconspicuous spot before using on the rest
- Do not dry lean or immerse in water
Solar Shade Cleaning Tips
- Lightly vacuum on both sides with a brush or upholstery attachment
- Softly brush with a mild detergent and warm water solution
- Rinse and allow the shade to fully dry before raising it back up
- Never immerse in water
Roller Shades Cleaning Tips
- Dust with a feather duster or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment
- Wipe with damp cloth to clean
- Never immerse in water
Drapery, Curtain, and Valance Cleaning Tips
- Carefully vacuum drapery, paying attention to its top, front, and back. Dust often settles in pleats
- Follow manufacturer care instructions for washable fabric curtains, and iron when still damp. If drapery is lined, make sure both fabric and lining is washable
- If you can easily detach the curtains, you can take them outside and shake them to remove dust
