Whether it’s furniture, upholstery, or decorations, the products inside our facilities are often valuable. Sometimes they are downright expensive. That’s why it’s so important that both managers and staff take care of them so that they last as long as possible before being replaced.
This is especially true of window coverings. There is confusion regarding how to clean window coverings such as blinds, drapes, and shutters. Often, fear of damaging window coverings means that we don’t develop systems around cleaning them properly. Other times, they simply get neglected in the cleaning process. In this article, we’ll share how to clean your window coverings both effectively and safely so as not to damage these delicate parts of our facility.
Dusting
Both the most basic and simple thing you can do to give your window coverings a longer life is to dust them on a regular basis. While dust may seem harmless, it can cause long-term damage when left to sit on window coverings.
To dust your window coverings, first shake off any excess dust. Making a habit of this will reduce the amount of pressure and damage that could accumulate over time from dusting and other steps of the cleaning process. After shaking, you can dust the window coverings lightly with a feather duster. Some good options for feather dusters include:
If dust is excessive, you can use a vacuum’s brush feature to remove dust from the window coverings. Repeat this process weekly to avoid dust build-up.
Washing
The best method for washing your window covering depends on the type of window coverings you have.
Washing Blinds and Shutters
For wood blinds and shutters, avoid using moisture in any form because it can damage and warp the wood. Instead, use dust wipes specifically designed for use on wood or a dry cloth with a small amount of wood polish.
Washing Curtains
You should wash your curtains between 4-12 times a year depending how much dust and dirt accumulates on them. When it comes time to wash your curtains, it’s important to be cautious and spot-test whenever possible. Reduce the risk of shrinkage, snags or runs in the fabric, or noticeable marks from stains or stain removal by following these instructions.
If possible, wash drapes or curtains by hand. This is especially important for more delicate fabrics such as sheer, silk, or satin fabrics. If you know it’s safe to wash drapes in the washing machine, wash on the delicate cycle.
Steam cleaning can be a convenient option for cleaning curtains because they won’t need to be removed for cleaning and put back later. If the label on your curtains says they are safe to machine wash, they are likely safe for steam cleaning as well. Still, test an inconspicuous segment of the curtains to be sure.
Other Tips for Washing Curtains
- Check the label of the curtains or other window covering to ensure that the type of detergent you’re using is safe.
- Always spot-test a non-visible portion of the curtains with your detergent to ensure that it will not be discolor.
- If using powder detergent, ensure that it is fully dissolved in water before placing the curtains in the water.
- Avoid using hot water because it can shrink the fabric. Instead, use lukewarm or cold water.
Products to Help You Clean Window Coverings
Worldwide Janitor carries lots of products to help make cleaning your window coverings easier
Drying
The best way to dry curtains is to use a combination of air drying and tumble drying in a washing machine. First use the washing machine, then finish by air drying to reduce shrinkage and wrinkles. Dry on a low-heat or no-heat setting. Finally, avoid air drying in direct sunlight.
Ironing
Usually it’s easy to avoid the need to iron your curtains by drying them properly and making sure that they are completely dry before they are stored. But there are times when you may need to iron your curtains. In this case, iron on the reverse (non-visible) side of the fabric and start with a low heat, working your way up gradually if necessary.
Storage
One of the biggest hazards of storing window coverings of all kinds is fading, warping, and other damage that can be the result of storing in direct sunlight. Store your curtains, blinds, and shutters out of direct sunlight, preferably is a cool, dry, and dark place. if you need to store your window coverings near sunlight, be sure to rotate them occasionally so that the same material or covering is not always in the sunlight.
While window coverings are often neglected in the cleaning process, having clean window coverings can transform your entire room. Keeping window coverings clean is relatively low-maintenance. With just a little bit of work each week, you can prolong the life of your window coverings, saving money and making your facility shine.
