It’s crucial to clean window coverings before company arrives. Holidays mean houseguests and, if they haven’t shown up already, your quiet home will soon be jam-packed with your nearest and dearest. All of your spare rooms will be occupied. Every drop of hot water will be accounted for. This is your time to shine, so make sure your home is up to snuff. Window treatments rarely need major maintenance but still need require some elbow grease to look their best. These simple holiday cleaning tips will keep your window coverings sparkling all season long.
A Big Dust Up
Your window treatments are going to attract dust. It’s one of the few certainties in life. A trusty duster is going to be your best friend in this scenario. A micro-fiber duster will make fast work of any filth that may be stuck to your blinds and they’re gentle enough to use on any style of window treatment. A soft, dampened cloth, or inside-out sock, is also a great solution for hard window treatments made of wood, faux wood, or vinyl. Create a solution out of warm water and a mild detergent, wet the rag, and simply slide it across each slat. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt you might discover. When you’re finished, flip the slats over to completely clean both sides. Don’t wait for your guests to accidentally brush past your blinds and take some of that grime home with them – clean up your act before they even arrive!
Deal With Drafty Windows
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a steaming cup of cocoa from the comfort of your home, gazing out the window at a snow-covered street. The contrast is magical—unless your window is drafty and your nose is freezing. A drafty window not only lets cold air seep in but also struggles to retain heat, driving up your energy bill and leaving guests less than cozy. The solution? Install weather stripping yourself. While it might seem intimidating at first glance, if you can measure and cut, you’ve got all the skills you need to tackle this project. To double up on insulation and drive down that energy bill, we recommend installing cellular shades. They’re like a blanket for your windows.
Blow Them Away
If you’re really in a rush, vacuums can make cleaning your window coverings a cinch. They’re especially useful for shades and other delicate treatments. Simply use the upholstery attachment on the lowest setting to blow away lingering dust. If your vacuum cleaner seems to have vanished or is busy cleaning the rest of the house, don’t worry! A spare hair dryer will also do the trick. Just use it on the coolest setting. Even if your blinds and shades don’t look dirty to the naked eye, give these tricks a try.
Cleaning Win-don’ts
Now you have plenty of tips for sprucing up your blinds and shades, but here are a few tips on how NOT to clean your window treatments. Unless you’re dealing with vinyl vertical blinds, please fight the urge to drop your blinds into a big bath of soapy water. It may seem like an easy solution, this method will spell disaster for the small mechanics inside your headrail. These parts aren’t meant to get wet and dunking them will spell disaster. Also, when spot cleaning, I recommend avoiding any heavy detergents or heavy hands. Heavy detergents may stain your treatments and a heavy hand can crinkle delicate shades. Instead, give them plenty of time to air dry and avoid dabbing at them with a cloth. Be gentle and patient as frequent fiddling will remove the crisp look, especially with soft window coverings.
Keep it Clean
These quick fixes should leave you plenty of time to make your home sparkle before houseguests start dashing towards your door. No matter which type of window treatment you have, these tips will pay off big during the winter months. If it’s time for new blinds, don’t hesitate to switch them out and hang them up before you start hanging up stockings over the fireplace. Hide from humbuggery this year and make sure your home is ready for a happy holiday!
