How to care for your window treatments
You might be wondering if there is upkeep required for your window treatments. If we have installed new window treatments for you, we can ensure they are high quality and will only need minimal maintenance. There are a few things you can do, however, if you want to keep them in the best condition possible and looking their best. There are a few easy cleaning tips we can share.
For Shutters & Blinds:
You’ll want to dust them from time to time. These are pretty simple. You can use a vacuum attachment or any kind of a wool duster to keep them looking new. When you are cleaning, ensure that you are dusting in the direction of your blinds (vertically or horizontally). This will ensure your blinds don’t get pulled or pushed in a direction that could compromise their integrity. Another thing you should always avoid is using any water on wood blinds.
For Drapery & Shades:
The cleaning method for drapery can be a little more intimidating. To remove dust, you can use a feather duster or lint roller to sweep the dust away. Vacuuming them is not always recommended, so do so with care so as not to compromise the fabric’s integrity.
If you need to remove a spot:
We recommend using your memo or sample of the material given on order and repeating the stain there. You can test clean the memo prior to cleaning the drapery to see what method is most effective. We highly recommend having custom drapery professionally cleaned when needed.
If you need to remove wrinkles from your curtains or drapes:
The best option is a small steamer. You should hold the steamer at least 6 inches away from the fabric and try not to hold it one area for too long. Steamers are a good option as they are gentle when used properly, and you don’t need to remove the drapes themselves. Note that you should not steam linen drapery as they can grow, stretch, or shrink. The natural beauty of linen is a relaxed “lived-in” look.
When to use a professional cleaner:
Some fabrics will be sensitive and delicate. You might also have a stubborn spot and are worried about damaging your fabrics. In this case a professional clean is likely in your best interest. Think about the investment you made in your treatments and don’t tackle it yourself because if you do, there's a risk of harming your treatments. Professional cleaners use advanced methods that won’t cause damage to fabrics. Two effective methods could be ultrasonic cleaning, which uses high-frequency sound waves in a liquid to remove dirt or dust. There’s also injection/extraction cleaning, which is an injection of a cleaning solution that is then withdrawn to remove dirt and dust along with it.
If you’ve had window treatments installed in your home recently, then we’ll always share cleaning and upkeep recommendations as part of our services. There should always be cleaning advice provided with your purchase. Always try to follow the provided guidelines to eliminate risk of accidentally damaging your treatments.