It’s hard not to embrace the first days of spring and the motivation that comes with it – not only as relief from the deep freeze of winter, but as a chance to give the home a deep cleaning. So, as the mercury starts to rise, we scrub the floors, wipe off the dust, and get to those chores we’ve put off for the last 6 months. As you roll up your sleeves and prepare to give your home a once over, we want to remind you that your window coverings need a little TLC, too.
It’s easy to forget that your blinds, shutters, or shades need a little attention. Once installed, they require very little upkeep, and many homeowners put them out of their mind completely. But their material attracts dirt and dust, even if you can’t see it. After a long winter with the windows shut tight and the furnace blasting, the air that circulates through your home is full of dust, dander, and other substances that your window coverings readily absorb. You might not see it (or perhaps you’re just not looking for it), but it’s the exact same dust that you wipe away from your tables and bookshelves once a week.
It only makes sense, then, to take your time this spring to rid your window coverings of it too. Dust isn’t just unattractive. When it’s a mixture of dander, pollen, and other allergens, it can aggravate allergies and asthma in those who are sensitive. If left long enough, dust can make it difficult for these people to breathe, and they may find themselves coughing more often.
Cleaning your blinds is simple and won’t add too much time to your already loaded spring cleaning routine. All you need is a vacuum with a brush attachment, a microfiber cloth or sponge, soap, and some warm water. For aluminum, wood, or plastic blinds or shutters, your first step is to use the vacuum with its attachment to suck up any of the dust. To make sure you don’t accidentally damage your blinds while cleaning them, use your vacuum carefully; run the brush in the direction of the slats so you don’t unintentionally bend them.
Once you’ve removed the majority of the dust from your blinds, wipe down the slats with warm, soapy water. Again, it’s important that you handle the slats gently. Don’t wipe along all of the slats at the same time. Be sure to clean each slat individually, pinching the microfiber cloth around the slat and pulling it along in the direction that it hangs. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom, rinsing out the cloth as you go.
If you have fabric blinds or shades, then you’ll alter these steps to accommodate their material. You can still vacuum these window coverings, but we don’t suggest you use a wet cloth to clean them. A dry sponge is more effective in removing any remaining dust that you missed with your vacuum. In order to protect your blinds while you clean them, you should use the sponge gently and run it along the direction of the slat.
A thorough cleaning such as this will let you examine your blinds, shutters, or shades with an exacting eye. If, as you go over each individual slat, you find a tear or stain, then it might be time to replace your window coverings. A new set of blinds can freshen up a tired design scheme and complement your springtime cleaning. This final step in spring cleaning is easy. With a quick call to our offices, you can schedule an appointment with our design consultants, who are more than happy to help you pick the best style of blinds for your homes. With brighter days, chirping birds, and blooming flowers, spring is the ideal time to tackle your window coverings. Make sure your blinds are clean, so you can open your windows wide and enjoy the warm breeze of spring.