We know. Dusting your blinds and shades is probably chore that you don't often check off your list. But it really only takes 30 minutes a month to clear your conscience — and your view. Here's how to keep all kinds of window treatments looking their best. (Just one caveat: For shades in delicate fabrics like silk, contact the retailer or manufacturer. Some should be professionally cleaned.)
1. Honeycombs (cellular shades)
These insulating window treatments are a hot pick for their energy efficiency, but they have a secret cleaning advantage, too. “Honeycombs are so easy to clean. Just use the dusting tool on your vacuum,” says Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliance and Cleaning Products department. “Give them a once-over on low suction, and you’re done.” After dusting, most stains can be lightly blotted with a sponge, lukewarm water, and mild dish detergent.
These insulating window treatments are a hot pick for their energy efficiency, but they have a secret cleaning advantage, too. “Honeycombs are so easy to clean. Just use the dusting tool on your vacuum,” says Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliance and Cleaning Products department. “Give them a once-over on low suction, and you’re done.” After dusting, most stains can be lightly blotted with a sponge, lukewarm water, and mild dish detergent.
2. Roman shades
When you buy Romans — whether they're flat, pleated, or draped with swags — clean as our experts do. Use your vacuum’s soft dusting brush attachment on low suction, or gently go over the shades with a handheld vac fitted with the brush attachment. If necessary, spot-clean any stains with a cloth dipped in mild suds. Do not saturate; rinse and blot dry.
When you buy Romans — whether they're flat, pleated, or draped with swags — clean as our experts do. Use your vacuum’s soft dusting brush attachment on low suction, or gently go over the shades with a handheld vac fitted with the brush attachment. If necessary, spot-clean any stains with a cloth dipped in mild suds. Do not saturate; rinse and blot dry.
3. Sheer shades
Trendy translucent window shadings (which you can adjust to diffuse the light) look delicate but are fashioned from sturdy, knitted polyester. Vacuum with the brush attachment on the lowest suction setting.
Trendy translucent window shadings (which you can adjust to diffuse the light) look delicate but are fashioned from sturdy, knitted polyester. Vacuum with the brush attachment on the lowest suction setting.
4. Roller shades
The classic roller shade now comes in a wide range of fabrics and textures. All most need is a light once-over with your vacuum’s soft brush tool and maybe a little spot cleaning. To clean classic vinyl roller shades, use a well-wrung cloth or sponge dipped in a solution of mild dishwashing detergent and lukewarm water and wipe the shade in sections. Start at the bottom, and continue working (washing and rinsing) upward until the entire shade is clean. Leave the shade fully extended to dry.
The classic roller shade now comes in a wide range of fabrics and textures. All most need is a light once-over with your vacuum’s soft brush tool and maybe a little spot cleaning. To clean classic vinyl roller shades, use a well-wrung cloth or sponge dipped in a solution of mild dishwashing detergent and lukewarm water and wipe the shade in sections. Start at the bottom, and continue working (washing and rinsing) upward until the entire shade is clean. Leave the shade fully extended to dry.
You can also give really dingy vinyl shades a bath. Cover them in warm water in the bathtub and add several squirts of mild dishwashing soap. Using a soft brush, clean the shades on both sides. Rinse, allow to air-dry, and re-hang.
5. Insulating blinds
Dust these with a hand-held vacuum brush on a low setting and spot-treat dirty areas with lukewarm water and a mild dish detergent. Dab, don’t rub, the fabric.
Dust these with a hand-held vacuum brush on a low setting and spot-treat dirty areas with lukewarm water and a mild dish detergent. Dab, don’t rub, the fabric.
6. Panel track shades
Durable panels for large doors or windows are low-maintenance — glide your vacuum dust-brush tool over the panels to keep them fresh.
Durable panels for large doors or windows are low-maintenance — glide your vacuum dust-brush tool over the panels to keep them fresh.
7. Wood and faux wood blinds
Treat these blinds like wood furniture. Dust with a soft, clean cloth, chemically treated dust cloth, or dusting glove. Lower the blind to full length, tilt the slats to an almost closed position, hold the bottom rail, and dust. Then reverse the slats and repeat. You can also dampen (don’t saturate) a microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe the slats to get rid of stubborn dirt. Then, open the slats and allow to air-dry.
Treat these blinds like wood furniture. Dust with a soft, clean cloth, chemically treated dust cloth, or dusting glove. Lower the blind to full length, tilt the slats to an almost closed position, hold the bottom rail, and dust. Then reverse the slats and repeat. You can also dampen (don’t saturate) a microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe the slats to get rid of stubborn dirt. Then, open the slats and allow to air-dry.
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