Your window shades play an important role in your home’s aesthetics and functionality. Over time, dust, dirt, sunlight, and normal wear and tear can make them appear dingy and worn. Implementing a regular cleaning and maintenance routine keeps your shades looking fresh, extends their lifespan, and ensures they continue providing privacy, light filtering, and décor enhancement.
Cleaning Schedule for Window Shades
How often you need to care for your shades depends on the material and where they hang. More exposure to dirt, grease, sunlight, and moisture means more frequent attention needed.
| Shade Material | Living Spaces | Kitchen | Bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric Shades | Every 2-3 Months | Monthly | Monthly |
| Faux Wood or Vinyl Shades | Every 6 Months | Every 3 Months | Every 3 Months |
Plan to do a deeper seasonal cleaning 1-2 times per year in addition to regular quick cleanings.
Tips for Keeping Shades Dust-Free
Dust not only looks unsightly, but over time it can actually damage shade materials. Here are pro tips for preventing dust buildup:
Vacuum Using a Soft Brush Attachment
Go over both the front and backside of shades to lift away loose particles. Move slowly to avoid tearing delicate fabrics.
Dust With a Microfiber Cloth
For a quicker dust removal between vacuuming, a lint-free microfiber cloth traps dust effectively.
Close Shades When Not in Use
Keeping shades down when not needed prevents dust and dirt from settling while still allowing light through sheers.
Install Floor Vent Covers
Uncovered vents blow dust directly onto nearby window treatments. Vent covers prevent this issue.
Use Door Mats and Remove Shoes
Trapped dirt on shoes and feet gets tracked inside and dispersed into the air, eventually landing on shades. Door mats catch a lot of this debris.
How to Clean Stained or Soiled Shades
Spots, spills, and traffic marks happen despite your best prevention efforts. But don’t worry – in numerous instances, stains can be removed from shade fabrics without a trip to the dry cleaner.
Here are some common stains and what to use to treat them:
Dust and Dirt
Vacuum first, then rub the spot gently with a clean damp sponge
Food, Oil, or Grease Stains
Apply a dime-sized dot of dish soap and scrub gently with a soft-bristle hand brush. Rinse clean with water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
Ink Marks, Paint, or Tar
Rub carefully using rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Check the stain every minute and stop immediately once it lifts to prevent damaging the fabric.
Sunscreen or Lotion
Use an oil-based stain remover spray or gel before washing according to the shade’s care label instructions
For more stubborn or unidentified spots, it’s best to have shades professionally dry-cleaned. Harsher chemicals risk permanent shade damage.
Maintaining Faux Wood and Vinyl Blinds
Vinyl and faux wood blinds require a bit less frequent care than fabrics, but still need regular attention, especially in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
Follow this maintenance routine to keep them looking fresh:
● Dust often using a microfiber duster wand for hard-to-reach spots
● Wash every few months using mild dish soap and water. Rinse off the blinds outside with a garden hose.
● Check cord connections and mechanisms to ensure everything moves smoothly and remains secure. Frayed cords are a safety hazard.
Deep Clean for a Fresh New Look
Even with consistent maintenance, shades look dingy after months or years of use. Twice a year, make time for a thorough deep cleaning session.
Follow these steps:
- Remove shades from windows and lay flat either outdoors or over drop cloths
- Vacuum front and back thoroughly to lift dust trapped deep in fibers
- Wipe down with a mild all-purpose cleaner using a soft rag
- Rinse fabrics well with water and pat dry
- Use a 50/50 vinegar/water solution to eliminate odors and brighten vinyl
- Check for tears, loose threads, bent slats, or crooked hems, and make minor repairs
- Rehang shades once fully dry, and adjust to ensure proper functioning
After this seasonal overhaul, your shades look revived and rejuvenated!
Window Treatment Care FAQs
Do you still have questions about the best approaches to shade cleaning and care? Here we’ll cover some of the most frequently asked topics.
To prevent uneven fading on one side from sunlight, rotate the side facing outward every 1-2 months. This goes for all rooms, but especially brighter spaces exposed to plenty of light.
It depends – always check the manufacturer’s care label first. Some state machine washing on gentle/delicate is okay, but only if shades are 100% polyester or olefin with no cardboard. Never machine wash cellulose fabrics like linen, jute, sisal, or cotton – hand wash only.
For faux wood or vinyl blinds, wipe clean by hand rather than machine washing to prevent damage.
Start by vacuuming using a soft brush attachment, then go back over by hand with a microfiber cloth if needed for a final polish. Doing both lifts away most dust and dirt particles from both the front and back of the shades.
Remember, preventing dust buildup through vent covers, and door mats, and keeping windows closed is easiest!
When to Call In a Professional
Thorough cleanings keep most shades looking fresh and functional for years. But eventually, fading, tearing, broken parts, and other issues require the help of a professional. Here are signs it’s time to call for window treatment repair or replacement:
● Fabric has multiple holes, tears longer than 2 inches, fraying edges
● Slats cracked, warped, broken on faux wood or vinyl shades
● Mechanisms getting stuck, difficult to raise or lower
● Visible mold, mildew, or water stains from moisture damage
● Discoloration, crumpling, or peeling of fabrics and finishes
● Sun bleaching on one side more than another
As Portland’s premier window shade retailer and installer for over 10 years, The Custom Shade Company has the expertise to solve any window treatment challenge – from the simplest repair to a whole-home shade refresh.
Our skilled technicians make house calls for in-depth shade cleanings, damage assessments, custom rehangs, measurements for new covers, and expert installations. We use gentle yet effective green cleaning methods for a spotless finish safe for kids and pets.
For a free estimate on window shade cleaning, repairs, or affordable upgrades to any brand, give us a call at (503) 305-4430 or request a quote online. We service all Portland Metro area homes and businesses.
