How to Keep Your Blinds, Awnings, and Curtains Clean

Blinds

Cleaning blinds can be very tricky when you don’t know how to do it correctly. No matter what kind of blinds you have (wooden, fabric and vertical are the three basic types), these tips will make your cleaning and maintenance moment easier.

1. Vacuum blinds often with the brush attachment. Vacuum across the slats, not up and down.
    
2. Use a lamb's-wool duster, again working across the slats and starting at the top. Do not use plastic dusters.
    
3. When dusting or vacuuming vertical blinds, brush downward only, as the slats often become unhooked if you brush upward.
    
4. Use a rubber sponge, also known as a dry sponge (found at hardware and paint stores), to remove dust and residue from both fabric and vinyl blinds. Simply wipe the dry sponge firmly across the blinds.
    
5. For spot cleaning, spray an all-purpose cleaner onto a clean dry cloth and wipe the soiled area of the blind. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the blind.
    
6. You can wet wooden blinds when cleaning, but don't soak them. Clean them in place instead of removing them as you would for other types of blinds.
    
7. If fabric blinds become very dirty, take them to a dry cleaner.
    
8. Do not try cleaning blinds by spraying them with a car-wash hose, dunking them in the tub or one slat at a time.
    
9. To clean metal and vinyl blinds, follow this method: Take the blinds outside to your patio or driveway and lay them on a small rug or piece of carpet. Put a few drops of dishwashing soap in a bucket of water. Wet a car-washing brush and brush the blinds from side to side, and then turn them over and brush the other side. Rinse the blinds gently with a garden hose while tilting them so that the water runs off. To prevent water spots from forming, quickly run your finger down the slats a couple of times to remove excess water. When done, drape the blinds over a fence or a couch to dry.

Awnings

Suggestion for owners to make their awnings always at the best condition:

1. Prevent objects from touching your awning. Wind will cause anything that is resting on the awning to whip back and forth creating permanent abrasions and stains. So keep branches and palm fronds cut back and do not tie advertising banners or flags to your awning.
    
2. Debris and bird droppings are bad. Remove branches, leaves and other debris from the awning as soon as possible. They can cause staining and the weight of these objects (especially when wet) can cause the fabric to stretch. Bird droppings can be a serious problem. The residue is acidic and can cause color fading on almost all types of material. It is a particular problem on eradicable materials. The best way to overcome this matter is by rinsing them off immediately whenever you see them.
    
3. Laced awnings. Most traditional style of patio awnings is secured to the awning frame by string. The awning is manufactured this way, so the fabric can be tightened if it stretches. If you notice stretching happening, take care of it quickly. Much staining is caused when water pools. Stretching will also increase because of the weight of the pooling water.
    
4. Cleaning your awnings. Never wait until your awning filthy to clean it. More frequent cleanings are better for the material because you can use a gentler cleaning process and moderate cleaners. There will be less chance of permanent stains forming. Additionally, most manufacturers require regular cleaning to maintain the material’s warranties. As a rule of thumb, we have found that under normal conditions you should clean fabric awnings two to three times in a year and vinyl awnings three to four times in a year.
    
5. Working above the awnings. if work is being done above the awning, then make sure nothing can drop or spill on it. Paint and roofing material on an awnings is difficult or impossible to get off. Cover or take down the awnings if the possibility of damage exists.
    
6. Fix holes and rips. When you discover holes or rips in your awning, have them repaired immediately and professionally before the damage can spread.

Curtains

Cleaning curtain is not a very tough task and can be done easily by following the steps below:

1. Check the fabric of the curtain whether it is heavy or light. If your curtain is made up of light fabric such as cotton or silk, a gentle shake now and then will be enough to keep them clean. You can also vacuum them on a regular basis to keep them clean and dirt free. Before going for any cleaning method, look at the attached tag for information on the cleaning process that will suit for your curtain.
    
2. If your drape is made of cotton or line fabric, you can clean them on a weekly basis. Just put them in a washing machine and run the gentle cycle. For drying them, hang them outside under direct sunlight. In case the curtain is colorful, you need to put them in half shade and half sunlight to avoid discoloring. Make sure to take them inside as soon as they get dried.
    
3. If your curtain requires dry cleaning but you can’t afford it every time, there is a solution for you. Shake your curtain to remove as much dust as you can or you can use a vacuum cleaner if the dust is very thick and hard to clean. Then take your cloth steamer and run it over your curtain. It will kill germs and give the curtain a fresh appearance.
    
4. Use a lint brush to wipe your curtain on a regular basis. Start from the top of the curtain and work your way towards the base. If you start from the base, the dust from the upper part will fall on the curtain and make it dirty again. Make sure to vacuum both sides of the curtain.
    
5. Do a “sniffing” test on your curtain every week. Sniff your curtain to see whether it smell fresh or moldy. Some people spray their curtain with freshener. You can do so, just make sure not to use something with harsh chemical as it might weaken or even discolor the fabric.
    
6. While cleaning the curtain, don’t forget to wash the curtain rings as well. If they are getting dirty and rusty, boil them in water along with vinegar. It will remove the rust and restore shine in them. Curtain rods also need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
    
7. If your curtain is made from sensitive fabric, don’t put them in a places where it catches direct sunlight. If that can’t be avoided, put a liner behind to protect it from sunlight.
    
8. If your curtain is made from expensive fabric, it is much better to have it dry cleaned by a professional. Washing it at home by yourself may damage it rather make it good.