Useful tips for cleaning curtains and blinds

 Having clean curtains is almost as important as choosing the right ones. Proper cleaning will not only lengthen their life, it will keep them fresh and new.

When the curtains are clean they allow the correct amount of light to pass into the room and also serve as decorative elements. On the contrary, when the curtains are dirty, in addition to looking old and ugly, the light that enters brings with it the dust and dirt accumulated on the curtains. The solution is to learn how to clean them and make this process a routine.

Cleaning methods change according to the material, and so below we present different techniques for each type of curtains:

Wood: The best way to clean wooden blinds is with a flannel, a duster, or a damp cloth. For deep cleaning and shine, use an oily wood preservative.

Imitation Wood: They last longer and can withstand a more thorough cleaning. Dusting them with a vacuum brush, duster, or damp flannel is recommended. To remove stains or fungi you can use very mild water and detergent with a soft sponge that does not damage wood.

Woven wood fiber or bamboo: They should be cleaned like wood fibers but with more and avoid excess water, taking care to avoid breaking the fine fibers.

Vinyl: Like faux wood curtains, water and detergent can be used. However, do not use hot water as it can spoil the material.

Aluminum: They are very resistant and you should use a damp cloth to remove the dust that easily accumulates on the aluminum curtains. For a more thorough best curtain cleaning, they can be soaked in water with detergent and left to dry in the open air.

Fabric: Shaking and vacuuming is key for these types of curtains. In the case of folding blinds, the bars can be removed and put in the washing machine.

The most important thing to remember to avoid having to thoroughly clean your curtains so often is to remove dust and dirt regularly.

When it comes to cleaning your curtains, the treatment depends on their manufacture and quality of the fabric. The sun and dust and dirt are destructive factors of fabrics. If your windows are to the east or south, especially if you live in a temperate climate, consider placing a tinted paper on the windows to reduce the effects of ultraviolet rays. Light colored fabrics generally reflect sunlight and are not easily colorfast. Dark colors absorb light and fade. Use tinting or blinds between the glass and the shade to protect it. Acrylic, fiberglass, and polyester resist the sun better than other fibers and retain color over time. Cotton, rayon and acetates are often less resistant to the effects of the sun.

Precautions

Before proceeding to clean your curtains , you must be sure that they can be washed at home. Investigate the following:

1st.-Do the curtains have a label that indicates if they are washable?

2nd. - The curtains sometimes combine several materials; maybe one is washable and the other is not. If you were to wash the curtains and one of the fabrics is not washable, it will shrink and your curtains will be ruined.

3rd. - Sunlight weakens the fabric of the curtains over time.

4th.- If the curtain is pleated, pleated, they will probably lose their shape if the curtain is washed in the washing machine. Today there are already pleated curtains that repel dust.

General care

In case your curtains are washable at home, then you can proceed with the wash, it is always better two gentle washes than one very strong and aggressive one. Remove the hooks and all materials that should not be washed because the hooks would rust and then rot the seams of the curtain. Use warm water and a mild or neutral detergent. If your curtains have a lot of dirt accumulated, it is a good idea to soak them first to remove excess grime.

Don't overload the washing machine, wash piece by piece in short wash cycles. After drying, carefully iron the reverse side to restore the curtain to its shape. To attach the hooks and accessories, wait until the curtains are completely dry and ironed.

Also the slats, skirts and curtains etc require washing. Shake off accumulated dust and wash them in the washing machine with warm water and mild detergent in short wash cycles.

Blinds

In the case of blinds, if they are plastic, you should wash them even when you shake them frequently. You can hang them up and spray them with ammonia diluted with water and use the hose to rinse. They will be like new.

If you are looking for Curtain Cleaning in Sydney, we have been providing our clients with Curtain Cleaning Services for over a decade in Sydney Australia.