It’s beautiful outside, so let the sun shine in! Austin homeowners are eager and excited for this beautiful season, so make sure the blinds and window shades in your home are looking tip-top to accessorize that wonderful sunlight. There are many different kinds of blinds and shades out there, so read on to find the best course of action for your home.
Plastic and Vinyl Blinds (Vertical or Horizontal)
Begin by removing dust: close the slats so they lie flat along the window and, starting from the top and working down, use a feather duster, soft cloth, or vacuum with brush attachment to remove dust. Then rotate the slats so they’re closed in the other direction and do the same thing. If your blinds can be easily removed, soak them in a bathtub with mild dish soap and lukewarm water, then wipe each slat with a sponge, or take them outside and spray them with a garden hose, then wipe all-purpose cleaner across each slat with a sponge. Let blinds dry thoroughly before re-hanging, and be sure to hand-dry any metal fittings right away so they don’t rust. If the blinds are too difficult to take down, simply wipe each slat with all-purpose cleaner and a clean sponge or cloth.
Wooden Blinds
Remove dust as described above. Then apply a small amount of commercial wood cleaner to a clean cloth and wipe each slat. Be sure not to get blinds too wet, otherwise the wood could warp.
Fabric Blinds
Remove dust with a vacuum and brush attachment. If there are any minor stains, blot them (do not rub or scrub) with a damp sponge and mild liquid dish detergent. If a deeper cleaning is necessary, consult a professional dry cleaner.
Plastic Shades
Use a vacuum and brush attachment, a feather duster, or a soft cloth to remove any dust. Then wipe both sides of the shade clean with a clean cloth dampened with warm water and mild dish soap. For difficult stains, spray all-purpose cleaner onto spots and scrub until they’re gone.
Fabric Shades
Vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust. Check the tags for care instructions to see if they can be washed at home or if they need to be dry cleaned (a must for linen, wool, silk, or other delicate fabrics). If the fabric can be washed at home, take the blinds down and soak them in the bathtub filled with cool water and mild dish detergent for five to ten minutes. Then rinse with clear water and hang dry.
Clean shades and blinds lead to nicer looking homes, so they should be high priority for anyone concerned with a clean Austin home. Contact your local maid service, It’s Cleaning Time, to see how we can help with all your Austin-area house cleaning needs!
