How to Easily Clean Curtains, Shades and Blinds

Posted on 05/05/2023

Top Cleaning Tips for Curtains, Shades and Blinds

Beautiful window coverings can make a home. Curtains, blinds, or shades are a must for any room. They are not just decorative elements, but they serve as a protection to our interior from the sunlight. Therefore, maintaining them in good condition is of great importance. Unfortunately, they are not only difficult to clean but they get dirty and dusty very fast. Let’s admit it, dusting and washing window treatments is often not on your checklist for a routine home clean, right?

Cleaning window coverings can be really a daunting task if you don’t know how to properly do it. Taking them down for cleaning is a major effort, so before you decide to clean or wash them, check whether they really need that. If they are just dusty, set your machine to the lowest suction level and vacuum them thoroughly using the brush attachment. With short strokes, cover the entire area of the window treatment. Unless you live in a particularly dusty area, make this cleaning task part of your monthly home cleaning routine. Regular vacuuming puts off the necessity of having them washed or taken to professional cleaners. Now, follow these easy tips and your window coverings will look like new in no time.

How to Easily Clean Curtains
If the curtains have musty odor or smell of tobacco smoke, then airing them is a good idea. Well, you’ll have to take them down, but it is still easier than washing or sending them for cleaning. Wait for a breezy day and hang the curtains outside for a few hours.  

An easy way to remove stains or smudges from curtains is to use baby powder. All you have to do is dip a clean toothbrush into the powder and start scrubbing the dirty area. If you reach the conclusion that washing the curtains is the only option, then make sure to follow the instructions on the care label.

How to Easily Clean Blinds
Blind cleaning methods and ideas depend on whether you have plastic, fabric or wooden blinds at home. Regardless of their type, it’s recommended to remove dust first. An excellent solution for the purpose will be a handheld vacuum. Alternatively, you can use a soft cloth or feather duster too. If you have plastic and vinyl blinds at home, you can easily clean them with an all-purpose cleaner. Once your blinds are dust free, simply spay the cleaner on a sponge or cloth and wipe clean, working one slat at a time. Then repeat the same on the other side of the blinds.

For better cleaning results remove the blinds and have them washed in your bathtub or outdoors. Fabric blinds can be easily cleaned using household cleaners such as dishwashing liquid. However, consider professional deep cleaning services, if you are afraid that the cleaner may damage your fabric blinds. When cleaning wooden blinds, treat them like wood furniture. Dust them first, and then use special wood-formulated cleaner.

How to Easily Clean Shades
Similarly to cleaning blinds, cleaning shades depends on the type. Whether cleaning fabric, honeycomb, Roman, sheer, or roller shades always get rid of the dust first, as mentioned above. While most fabric shades can be washed in water, some delicate shaded such as linen, silk, and wool should be dry cleaned only.

Washable fabric shades can be easily cleaned in a bathtub with tepid water and dishwashing liquid. The same solution can be used to blot stains out from honeycomb shades. To avoid damaging the surface of the shade, do not rub the stain. The same easy stain-removing technique applies to roller and Roman shades as well. Even though sheer shades appear very delicate, they too can be cleaned with a sponge and soapy water. Yet, if you want them deeply cleaned you better take them to dry cleaner.