Let’s face it, this is not something we give a lot of thought to. The care and maintenance of your window treatments, like blinds, shades, valances and curtains may be something you consider when you first make the purchase. After that, we don’t think about it until they are dirty or soiled, or really dusty and we’re expecting company.
Let’s face it, this is not something we give a lot of thought to. The care and maintenance of your window treatments, like blinds, shades, valances and curtains may be something you consider when you first make the purchase. After that, we don’t think about it until they are dirty or soiled, or really dusty and we’re expecting company.
In this article, I will give you some tips on cleaning, helpful guidelines for the type of window covering for various rooms and functionalities.
If you haven’t already purchased a window covering, give some thought to:
Functionality: Consider the functionality and practicality of a treatment. Do you need privacy, light control, is there furniture obstructing the window.
Humidity: Is this a bathroom or kitchen window where there is a lot of humidity and water being splashed?
Traffic: Does this room have a high amount of traffic, kids and pets?
If you have a formal room and you have opted for a formal and elaborate treatment and the room doesn’t get a lot of traffic, then maintenance should be relatively simple. Just vacuum with a hand held once every two months or so, and if you need to, have it dry cleaned every 5 years or as needed. By doing the regular vacuuming, you will stop the dust from really getting into the fibers and your curtains will last much longer.
For the windows in your bathroom and kitchen, choose something that is easy to clean, such as plastic, faux wood or aluminum blinds that are easily wiped with a damp cloth. Do not go for real wood because wood warps and cracks with the changes in the humidity and you will end up having to replace expensive blinds often. The dust in high humidity rooms will stick to the blind or treatment making it difficult to clean. Alternatively, you can choose a material like cotton curtains that are usually easily washed. Check the labels.
For your fabric window treatments, consider having them lined, even if you don’t need the privacy or energy efficiency. The lining will protect the fabric fibers of the treatment and the colors will last much longer. Unlined treatments on south facing windows will eventually fall apart. Adding sheer panels or blinds as a layer will also help to protect your drapery.
Sheers can be machine washed and when taken out of the dryer, they don’t usually need to be ironed, making them really simple to care for.
Bamboo shades and blinds are ideal for sunny locations as the bamboo has a natural resistance to sunlight and will not fade as easily as other materials.
Every time you do a major house cleaning, give your window treatments a little TLC and you should be set for many years.
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