How to Maintain and Care for Your Blinds and Shutters
If you’ve recently invested in new window dressings for your home, you’ll want to keep them looking fresh and new for as long as possible. The good news about blinds and shutters is that with regular cleaning and maintenance checks they’ll keep fresh and bright, and in good working order.
Here are some tips for looking after your blinds and shutters at home.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Blinds
Blinds are one of those window coverings that are often avoided as many people believe they are difficult to clean. Cleaning blinds is simple, and the more you look after them, the easier it will be!
Cleaning and maintaining your blinds correctly will depend on the material and style they’re made in – for example, plastic, fabric, metal or wood.
You can follow the cleaning steps below for all your blinds, however make sure you look also at the tips below that address certain blinds in particular.
Steps for Cleaning Your Blinds
Close the blinds and tie back any soft or material curtains.
Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any dust build-up. It is advised to also vacuum behind and underneath the blinds to reduce the chance dust sticking to the surface during the cleaning process.
After you’ve done that, wet the soft cloth slightly with water or another gentle cleaning material and remove any particularly stubborn areas or stains.
Important Info for Timber and Fabric Blinds
If your blinds are fabric-covered, spot-clean only – don’t use soap and water.
For timber blinds, avoid using any chemicals. Simply dust with your vacuum as above, and wipe with a solution of soapy water and dry immediately, so that the timber doesn’t warp.
Tips for Metal or Vinyl Blinds
For a quick clean, put on a pair of rubber gloves then cotton gloves on over them. Mix 1 teaspoon of ammonia to 1 litre of water. Dip your gloved fingers into the solution, then run your fingers along the top and your thumb underneath each slat. Easy!
Keep Your Shutters Looking Clean and New
Like blinds, shutters are available in many materials, styles and finishes. How you take care of them will depend on whether they’re made from timber, polywood or aluminium.
Follow the process below for all your home shutters, however when it comes to timber shutters, for example Basswood plantations, it’s best to keep things simple. You’ll want to clean them without using a lot of water or any harsh cleaning materials.
Polywood and aluminium shutters can be cleaned using more water and stronger cleaning products, but it can often be best to stick to plain old soapy water if in doubt!
Steps for Cleaning Your Shutters
First, run the vacuum with the brush attachment over the shutters to remove as much dust and debris as possible. Use the soft dusting cloth to get in between each shutter, picking up any remaining dirt or dust.
After you’ve done that, wet the soft cloth slightly with water or another gentle cleaning material and remove any particularly stubborn areas or stains.
Important Info for Timber Shutters
If your shutters are made from timber, make sure you dry off any areas you’ve wet to avoid any warping or damage to the surface of the shutters.
If you’re unsure how to best look after your blinds and shutters, contact the experts in window coverings at Modern Blinds – they’ll be happy to help you out.
Client testimonials
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Hello all at Modern Blinds, Ken and I love the shutters, they certainly make a difference. The two men who fitted them were fabulous and very conscien... Love Our New Shutters!
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Love our new blinds Paul & I have just last week had our new roller blinds in the kitchen and a panel glide for the living area sliding doors i... Love our new blinds
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Good Morning, Greg ... A quick email expressing our thanks and appreciation for the quote and installation of our vertical blinds, and th... We are very pleased indeed with the service received
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I would just like to say that I was very impressed with the two workmen that you sent to install my shutters. Nothing was too much trouble, filling so... I would just like to say that I was very impressed with the two workmen
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"Greg, Ruth’s dream of three years has come to fruition. The shutters look terrific. The only disappointment is that they fit in so well, that th... Ruth’s dream of three years has come to fruition.
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"The boys were excellent. They explained what they were doing and also cleaned up after themselves. I would have no hesitation in recommending their w... The boys were excellent. They explained what they were doing
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I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the automatic motorised blinds that you installed in our boardroom. The professionalism shown fr... I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the automatic
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“3 years ago we had the good fortune to discover Vogue Vinyl Shutters and after checking all suppliers, had half the house fitted. Now to finish ... 3 years ago we had the good fortune to discover Vogue Vinyl Shutters
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“To Greg and the team at Modern Blinds, thank you for the wonderful service you continue to provide. We were thrilled with the advice, service and q... To Greg and the team at Modern Blinds, thank you for the wonderful
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“My experience purchasing blinds for my dining room was made easy and enjoyable by using Modern Blinds. Greg and his team at Modern Blinds were extr... My experience purchasing blinds for my dining room was made easy
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“We’re so happy with the service that Modern Blinds provided and the blinds look amazing!” We’re so happy with the service that Modern Blinds provided
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“Hi Rodney – Just a quick email to say thanks for all your help and assistance, I had no idea what I wanted or needed to do the job properly and a... Hi Rodney – Just a quick email to say thanks for all your help and assistance
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“We would like to say a huge thank you to Modern Blinds and more importantly our consultant Rodney Hearne. He made buying our blinds a pleasant expe... We would like to say a huge thank you to Modern Blinds and more
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“I would like to start by thanking the staff at Modern Blinds for the professionalism that they showed to us whilst we were enquiring about types of... I would like to start by thanking the staff at Modern Blinds for the professionalism
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“Rodney, I was so impressed by your knowledge and approach, many thanks.” Rodney, I was so impressed by your knowledge and approach
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