Cleaning Your Window Blinds

It’s now almost May so we’re hoping you’re already starting to work on your spring cleaning. Where are the areas in your home that you focus on most when it comes to spring cleaning? Do you ever give much thought to your windows and blinds? Truth is, your blinds may be getting neglected when there are an area of your home that can harbor a lot of dust. That dust can lead to allergy problems, excessive sneezing, even issues with asthma. This spring, make sure to thoroughly clean off those blinds. Here are some tips for proper window blind cleaning.

For aluminum miniblinds – Use a soft, clean dust cloth, a vacuum cleaner brush attachment, or any other ordinary household cleaning aid. When vacuuming, tilt the slats up and then down to be able to reach all areas of the blinds with the vacuum brush attachment. If you would like to wash the blinds, use a damp cloth or sponge and some mild detergent. Make sure to wash with warm or cold water and avoid hot water.

For wood blinds – You must be really careful when it comes to cleaning real wood. You should not wash them as doing so can damage the wood. Even though the wood may be sealed, water and excessive dampness can cause the blinds to warp or change color. The best way to clean wood blinds is to wipe them off with a clean soft dust cloth or a vacuum cleaner brush attachment.

For fabric pleated shades – The great thing about cellular shades is that they are anti-static, meaning that they require very little cleaning. All you really need to use is your vacuum cleaner brush to get rid of excess dust that has built up. If you really need to do a deep clean, the entire shade can be gently wiped with a soft damp cloth using lukewarm water. For tougher stains, spot clean with a mild detergent.

Different Types of Window Styles

Ok everyone. Do you all know what the different types of windows are? Just in case you don’t, let’s have a little chat right now about the different window styles. That way, when you turn to decorate them you’ll know what types of challenges you are facing. About a month back, I posted about decorating troublesome windows so for those of you who read that post and did not know what I was referring to, here’s your briefer.

Awning – This type of window is one with a single sash hinged at the top to open up and out from the bottom.
Casement – A single sash hinged on the left or right that opens out with a crank or lever. These types of windows are a tad tricky to decorate, so see my blog post about it here.
Double-hung – A window with two sashes that bypass each other vertically when opened from the bottom and top.
Fixed Glass – This type of window does not provide a way to open. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to combine with other windows. Large fixed windows are sometimes called picture windows.
Gliding – A window with two sashes that move horizontally in a common frame.
Single-hung – A window that features an upper and lower sash, but only the lower sash is operative.

Creating beautiful window treatments for a variety of different window styles can be challenging. But, with a little ingenuity you can create a home environment that makes you feel perfectly at ease.

Tips for Decorating Windows

Ok so you just moved into a new home and you’ve started to notice that your windows look a little barren. Time to cozy them up. Custom window treatments can really help to make your house feel like a home. And what better way to show off some of your personal flair? But, decorating and finding the right styles for a room can be costly and time consuming. They don’t have to be though. Let’s go over some quick and simple ideas for decorating those barren windows in a breeze.

Long and sheer – Nothing is as luxurious feeling as sheer fabric on your windows, especially if you give them great length to pool on the floor. Find a nice sheer or gauzy fabric that you can hang from high up, allowing the long, flowing panels to sweep down to the floor. Another cool thing about sheer, it provides privacy while still letting in desirable natural light.

Think about color – They say that bright, warm colors like reds, yellows and oranges evoke a hominess and sense of creativity. Cooler colors, like blues, purples and greens give off a sense of calmness and relaxation. Light greens and blues are very reminiscent of nature and are very clean and soothing. Purple is said to give off a regal effect, especially darker purples. Keep these color theories in mind when picking the colors to redecorate with. What type of mood do you want each room of your home to have?