Shade Cleaning 101: Tips On How To Clean
Your Motorized Shades And Other
Window Treatments In Gilbert, AZ

Know How To Clean And Maintain Your
Shades For Maximum Enjoyment!

Your window treatments can mean the difference between feeling comfortable in your home and being downright miserable. Your Gilbert, AZ home’s motorized shades and other window treatments may not seem like they need much maintenance, but this isn’t necessarily true.

Dust can accumulate on any blinds, shades, or shutters, and – depending on your window treatments – you may or may not be able to throw them into the washing machine. While most curtains and drapery can be tossed into the laundry, what about your wood blinds? Your motorized shades? Your outdoor shades for your patio?

At Southwest Blinds and Shutters, we’ve seen it all when it comes to window treatments. That’s why it’s key to know the proper care and maintenance behind your motorized shades, blinds, or shutters so you can get the most out of your investment.

General Maintenance And Cleaning Guidelines For
Motorized Shades And Other Window Treatments

No matter what kind of window treatments you have, dusting and spot treatment for dirt and other stains is helpful to keep them in good condition for longer. The following steps are safe for most window treatment types:

• Spot clean stains or soiled areas
• Vacuum or dust both sides of the shades
• Check for damage (loose threads, tears, sagging hems, etc.)
• Avoid chemicals or detergents, as they’ll weaken fibers and fade the colors

Mild soap and water is usually all you need when spot-treating your window treatments. For washable window treatments such as curtains and some Roman shades, make sure to read the washing directions so you don’t damage the material in the wash. Hang dry to avoid shrinkage.

Often, specialized upholstery cleaners are recommended for window treatments, such as motorized shades that can’t be placed into the washing machine.

Cellular Or Honeycomb Shades

Cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, are one of the best window treatments for peak insulation. Cleaning and maintaining them is quite simple, but needs to be done correctly so you can get the most life out of them.

Regularly dusting your honeycomb shades with a duster helps prevent them from getting dirty too often. However, if they’ve been covering your windows for some time and they require cleaning beyond the occasional swipe with a duster, you should know how to take care of them.

The first step is to dust off or vacuum both sides of the shades. Then, prepare a mixture of mild soap or detergent (natural detergent without harsh chemicals is best) with warm water and gently scrub parallel to the pleats with a soft sponge.

How do you get the dust out of the cells? It’s easy – use a vacuum cleaner or blow dryer to blow out the dust.

Roman Shades

If your Roman shades aren’t made of a machine-washable fabric, dry clean them only when they really need it. Otherwise, consult the machine washing instructions on your shades and hang dry to avoid your Roman shades shrinking.

Wood, Faux Wood, Plastic, Poly, And Aluminum Blinds And Shutters

Most blinds can safely be dusted whenever you see dust starting to accumulate. Alternatively, you can wipe them down with a polishing cloth to get dust off more effectively.

For wood blinds, you may need to add wood polish occasionally to keep them from wearing prematurely from the dust and dry air we get here in Queen Creek.

Woven Natural Shades

Natural shades are stunning and give a charming natural vibe to any room they’re in. However, they can’t be machine-washed or easily scrubbed down. Make sure to dust them frequently, and – for more soiled areas – wipe them down with a damp (not soaking wet) paper towel or dishcloth.

For High-Quality Motorized Shades And Other Window
Treatments In Gilbert, AZ, There’s No Beating
Southwest Blinds And Shutters

There’s no overstating the importance of window treatments – especially when you live in Gilbert, AZ or the surrounding Queen Creek area. At Southwest Blinds and Shutters, we offer an extensive range of window treatments to fit any style or need.

Our motorized shades are one of the most popular choices among Gilbert homeowners, giving you the convenience of opening or closing your shades from the comfort of your couch.

If you need stunning new window treatments that are backed by our exceptional warranties, don’t delay – call Southwest Blinds and Shutters now at 602-638-1925 or visit us online for your free estimate!