Common Window Treatment Cleaning Mistakes

Dirty hands, paws and dust can get your curtains, shades and blinds looking a bit worn. Cleaning window treatments can be a money saver, assuming you don’t accidentally ruin them in the process. Here are some common window treatment cleaning mistakes to avoid.

Harmful and Damaging Chemicals

It’s important to check the labels of cleaning supplies to make sure they’re right for the job. Some chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, can stain certain fabrics and break down dyes. They can also be unhealthy for you to breathe in. There are plenty of safe, natural options on the market that will preserve both your health and the condition of your window treatments.

Improper Tools and Methods

We’ve seen customers use many different tools to clean window treatments, from feather dusters to scrubbing brushes and vacuum cleaner attachments. Some tools are simply too rough for delicate window treatments. Here are a few guidelines that may help you avoid a mistake.

• Cotton window treatments should be washed in cold water (typically bathtub) with dish soap.
• Vinyl blinds can be cleaned with a dry sponge or a rag with all-purpose cleaner.
• Curtains can be washed in the machine on a delicate cycle, vacuumed, steamed or hand washed using laundry detergent. Some materials may be dry clean only.

Contact a Professional

With so many different types of window treatments on the market, finding the proper cleaning method may not be as straight forward as you hope. Fortunately, there are window cleaning services available. This can save you time, energy, and hassle. Plus, you might avoid costly window treatment cleaning mistakes.

Summary of Common Window Treatment Cleaning Mistakes

Window treatment cleaning is an important yearly task to preserve the condition and quality of your window treatments. Preserving your existing treatments will always be better than having to buy new ones, so it’s well worth the effort. If you’re handy, tackle this job yourself. If you are uncertain about the proper tools and approach or simply don’t have the time, contact a professional. At Lynne Greene Interiors, we’re here to help with all of your window treatment needs. Contact us anytime with questions.