Your cellular shades are more than just window coverings; they’re a smart investment in your home’s style and comfort. Those beautiful honeycomb pockets are energy-efficiency powerhouses, insulating your home year-round. At Blindsgalore, we’ve spent over 25 years handcrafting custom shades, and we believe that caring for your investment should be simple and stress-free.
Whether you’re facing a layer of dust, an accidental coffee splash, or a stubborn bug that’s made a home in a cell, you can handle it. Our guide to cleaning cellular shades, is backed by our family’s decades of experience.
We would never advise customers to ever submerge their blinds/shades in water. This is not limited to blackout/motorized, but light filtering as well. Please make that note clear.
Before You Start: Know Your Fabric
The first step to safe cleaning is knowing what your shades are made of. Most light-filtering cellular shades, like our popular Essential Light Filtering Cellular Shades, are crafted from a durable “spunlace nonwoven polyester.” This material is resilient but requires a gentle touch.
Blackout shades are different. Our Harmony Cellular Blackout Shades feature a mylar layer laminated inside the cells to block 99% of light. This layer is key to their performance but can be damaged by excessive water or heat. Never submerge blackout or motorized shades.
Level 1: Quick & Easy Regular Dusting
The secret to long-lasting, beautiful shades is preventing buildup. A quick dusting every week or two is the single best thing you can do.
- Feather Duster or Microfiber Cloth: For a light clean, gently wipe the shades from top to bottom.
- Vacuum with Brush Attachment: This is your best friend for a more thorough clean. Use the soft brush attachment on the lowest suction setting. Glide it gently across the fabric to pull dust and allergen buildup from the surface and out of the cell openings.
- Lint Roller: Have pets? A lint roller is brilliant for lifting stubborn pet hair and dander without any fuss.
Level 2: Getting Rid of Bugs and Debris
Those honeycomb cells are cozy, and sometimes an insect agrees. Getting them out is simple and oddly satisfying.
- Compressed Air: Grab a can of compressed air (for cleaning electronics). Hold it at an angle and use short, controlled bursts to blow the debris right out of the cells.
- Hairdryer on Cool: No compressed air? No problem. Set your hairdryer to its coolest, lowest-power setting. The gentle whoosh of air will dislodge any unwelcome guests without risking heat damage to the fabric or adhesives.
Level 3: How to Spot Clean Stains (The Right Way)
An accidental spill doesn’t mean a permanent stain. The golden rule is to blot, never rub. Rubbing grinds the stain into the fabric fibers and can cause pilling.
- Act Fast: Gently blot the fresh stain with a clean, dry white cloth to absorb as much as possible.
- Mix a Gentle Solution: In a small bowl, mix lukewarm water with a few drops of a clear, mild dish soap. Avoid harsh detergents or anything with bleach.
- Dampen and Blot: Dip a clean part of your cloth into the solution and wring it out well—you want it damp, not dripping. Gently blot the stain, working from the outside edge inward to keep it from spreading.
- “Rinse” the Spot: Dampen a fresh cloth with plain water and blot the area again to lift any soap residue.
- Air Dry: Let the spot air dry completely. For our versatile Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades, you can adjust the shade to maximize airflow to the damp spot.
Level 4: The Full Refresh (Deep Cleaning)
For shades that have become uniformly dingy over time, a full submersion can work wonders. In our experience, this is best done once every few years.
Crucial Warning: This method is ONLY for light-filtering, non-motorized shades. Never submerge blackout shades, as it will destroy the mylar lining. Never get the headrail or components of Motorized Cellular Shades wet.
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- Remove the Shade: Carefully take your shade down from its brackets.
- Prepare a Bath: Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Hot water can weaken the glues that hold the cells together, so keep it cool.
- Soak: Fully extend the shade and lay it in the water. Let it soak for about an hour.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cool water. Gently swish the shade to rinse. You may need to do this twice to get all the soap out.
- Dry Carefully: Lift the shade, letting most of the water drain out. Gently compress the shade to remove more water, but do not wring or twist it.
- Re-hang to Dry: The best way to ensure the pleats dry perfectly is to re-install the damp shade in the window. Keep it fully lowered until it is completely dry, which can take up to 24 hours.
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We would never advise customers to ever submerge their blinds/shades in water. This is not limited to blackout/motorized, but light filtering as well. Please make that note clear.
Crucial “Don’ts”: What to Avoid When Cleaning
In our 25 years, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. To protect your shades, please avoid these:
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- ❌ Do NOT use a washing machine. The agitation will destroy the pleats and internal structure.
- ❌ Do NOT use a steam cleaner. The combination of high heat and moisture can cause the fabric to warp and the adhesives to fail.
- ❌ Do NOT use bleach or harsh chemical cleaners. These can cause permanent discoloration and weaken the fabric.
- ❌ Do NOT use hot water. As mentioned, it can damage the adhesives holding the delicate cells together.
Our Family Promise to You
As a family-owned business, we see our customers as an extension of our family. We put our name on every handcrafted shade and back it with what we believe is the best guarantee in the industry: a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy for any reason, we’ll work with you to make it right. That’s the confidence that comes from over two decades of dedication to quality.
If you ever have a question, our in-house team of window treatment experts—with over 275 years of combined experience—is here to help.
Cellular shades must be properly cared for in order to prolong the life and looks of your window treatments. This is simple maintenance that you can easily add to your cleaning list for a glowing home and beautiful windows. For light cleaning, we recommend dusting as you feel necessary with a microfiber duster or by using a vacuum with an upholstery attachment. If the shade becomes stained and is in need of a spot-cleaning, gently clean the area with a soft, clean sponge or cloth, detergent, and warm water. Be gentle when wiping the shade back and forth in the direction that the pleats run and pat dry with a towel to remove and extra water from the fabric. Keep your shade looking brand new for years by including these simple chores into your house cleaning routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We recommend a light dusting every week or two. A more thorough vacuuming once a month and spot cleaning as needed will keep them looking fantastic for years.
This is usually caused by a slow buildup of dust. Start with a thorough vacuuming. If that doesn’t work and your shades are light-filtering, a deep clean in the bathtub can often restore their brightness.
No. Magic erasers are a fine abrasive and can damage the delicate surface of the fabric, causing a permanent dull spot or even a hole. Stick to a soft cloth and mild soap.
Don’t panic. Use a clean, dry towel to blot away as much moisture as you can. Then, lower the shade fully and let it air dry completely to help the pleats keep their shape.
Because we don’t just sell shades—we make them. This advice comes from over 25 years of hands-on experience with these specific fabrics and materials. We want your investment to last, and we’re here to help you make that happen.