You’ve had new shades installed and they look great, but how do you clean them? If you have ever wondered how to keep your shades looking new and what your maintenance checklist should look like, here is everything you need to know about keeping your shades in top condition.
The Importance of Keeping Your Shades Clean
Keeping your shades clean is crucial to ensuring you get the most out of them. Clean shades last longer and look better for longer periods. A well-maintained shade will retain its color and quality while blocking out the right amount of light.
Accidents happen from time to time. It would be best if you took care of stains from spilled liquids or general dirt as soon as possible to prevent long-term stains that can leave your shades looking shabby and unkempt. Clean shades work better and are less likely to need maintenance or replacing as regularly as shades that are not looked after.
The Process
There are many different methods to clean your interior shades. The type of shade and material used will determine how you can clean your shades and the suitable method.
Whether you are doing a deep clean or a light spruce-up, it is always good to start with a light cleaning and work your way to a deeper clean if it is needed.
Light Cleaning
Start here on cleaning day, and slowly work your way down to a deeper clean or a spot treatment if needed. Going in for a deep clean might not even be necessary.
Feather Duster and Vacuum
Use a feather duster to lightly dust off any dirt as well as cobwebs from the shade; make sure you get into any nooks and crannies. Next, using an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, put it onto a low setting and gently run it over the fabric of the shade.
Try to go over the shade with a few passes of the vacuum in different directions. Always support the back of the fabric as you lightly vacuum or clean the shade.
Spot Cleaning
Check for any dirt spots or stains on your shade. If you find any, use a damp cloth with mild detergent and lightly rub the area in different directions to make sure that you get into the fabric’s weave. Wipe down with a clean, dry cloth and allow it to dry.
Make sure your window shades have adequate ventilation while drying.
Spring or Deep Cleans
This is the next step in the process of maintaining your window treatments in top condition.
Wipe down
After you have done a light cleaning of the shades, move on to wiping them down.
- With a bowl of warm soapy water, lightly wet a soft cloth, and wring out excess water.
- Slowly move across the shade, supporting it from behind as you wipe the material down.
- Move the cloth in different directions to get between the natural fibers of the woven material.
- Rinse the cloth out now and then. (You can also swap to a new cloth if needed.)
- Once you have covered the entire shade, lightly wipe it down with a dry cloth.
- Allow the shades to dry, do not roll the shades up or close them while they are wet.
Steam cleaner
It is only recommended to use a steam cleaner if your manufacturer has approved its use. A steam cleaner cannot be used on vinyl shades as the heat might distort your shade.
How to Clean Layered Window Shades
You can clean layered shades in a similar way to cleaning any other window shade. Layered shades often need to be spot cleaned and gently blotted to remove any stains or markings. You can also use a hairdryer to blow out any dust or debris that might have gotten between the fabric slats.
As the window covering fabric is fragile and remarkably gentle, you risk tearing or damaging it so use care when cleaning the fabric.
Cleaning Custom Material Shades
If you have custom solar roller shades, you will need to make sure you clean them according to the care instructions for the particular fabric they are made from. Natural materials might be more prone to absorbing stains and tougher to clean.
Custom color shades also require special cleaning. Never use harsh chemicals or bleaches on your shades, as this will affect the material’s color.
Window Shades Cleaning Checklist
Before grabbing your kitchen scrubbing sponge and tackling your window coverings, there are a few items that will make it easier and help ensure that you don’t damage your solar shades.
You will need:
- Soft cloth – It is helpful to have a few microfibre cloths. Keep them dry and on hand. Make the cloth damp as you use them, ensuring you have one dry one to wipe down at the end.
- Vacuum cleaner – With a soft brush attachment. An upholstery attachment is perfect for when you need to clean solar shades.
- Mild detergent – Dish soap works well.
- Warm water – Two buckets of warm water will be needed for cleaning your window treatments, one for the detergent and the other for wiping down.
- Feather duster – If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, a duster will also work well.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Custom Solar Shades
If you need to clean solar shades, there are a few things you should consider before starting.
- Never handle your shades with rough hand scrubbing
- Don’t use abrasive scrubbing brushes and pads
- No harsh chemicals and bleach
- Always use the brush attachment to clean your shades – the standard vacuum attachment can damage your shades if not used correctly.
Whether you have wood blinds, interior or exterior shades, or any custom window treatments, it is essential to ask a professional for the best-recommended advice on cleaning the shades.
VanGogh Window Fashions has been around for over 20 years. We can save you time, money, and effort by offering you the most up-to-date advice on cleaning shades and keeping them well maintained.
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