Entering a neat and tidy house is a great feeling. However, sometimes certain things don’t get much attention during the daily cleaning schedule. For instance, cleaning blinds, curtains and drapes are often ignored until they become really dusty. The thought of cleaning them may sound tedious, but we’ve compiled a list of easy ways to clean blinds, curtains and drapes.
Ways to Clean Blinds
Though blinds are among the neglected places to clean at home, keeping them tidy is necessary. This is because window blinds attract a lot of dirt, grime and debris overtime. Let’s go through some useful ways to clean blinds, giving them a fresh and tidy look. Usually, there are two types of blinds: metal or plastic.
Let’s go through some simple steps to clean metal and plastic window blinds.
Close the blinds: Closing or lowering the blinds makes each slate accessible, that said keep them straight enabling the sunlight to enter. Slant them down a little and dust all the area.
Dust blinds: Use a duster or microfibre cloth to reach the blinds and clean the dust and dirt on them. Just dip a clean sponge or cloth in a gentle dish soap and hot water mixture and wipe down each individual window blind slat from top to bottom. Flip the window blinds up and down and repeat the process till the dust is removed from all the corners.
Reverse the slats and repeat: This is important in case the blinds are really dirty. For instance, not cleaning kitchen blinds for a long time gives them a greasy residue or leaves stains. Remove each individual blind gently for deep cleaning. Another effective way to clean blinds is by soaking them in a bathtub with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing soap. Soak the slats in water for about ten minutes. Then remove them from the tub and dry with a clean cloth.
Use a spray cleaner: If they still appear dirty even after the sponge bath, add a multi-purpose cleaner in a spray bottle and use it on each slat. Use a clean and damp cloth or rag to wipe the soap from the blinds. Let them dry under the fan for about an hour before closing or rehanging them.
How often to clean window blinds
Clean window blinds once a month. Cleaning plastic and metal blinds frequently helps keep the dust, grime and rust away. As for wooden blinds, there usage is not as common but they should be cleaned once a week to prevent accumulation of dust.
Besides, if you are looking to buy a new set of blinds, go through these curtains blinds for sale in the UAE.
Ways to Clean Curtain and Drapes
When thinking of ways to clean blinds, curtains and drapes, curtains need to be cleaned more regularly than blinds. This is because curtains soak up all the dust and smells into their fabric and folds. Vacuum the curtains and drapes carefully or give them to a laundry for a thorough wash. When giving them at the laundry make sure to check if the fabric is washable or needs to be dry cleaned.
Cleaning washable curtains and drapes
To clean washable curtains and drapes:
- Remove all the curtain hooks and weights.
- Shake them out outdoors to remove dust. If a lot of dust is accumulated on curtains and drapes, hit them with a vacuum hose attachment.
- Depending on the fabric, follow specific washing instructions. In case the curtains and drapes don’t have any instructions, it is advised to give them a hand wash using cold water or running them through the machine on a gentle or delicate cycle.
- Avoid rubbing or wringing out curtains.
- Hang them out to dry or run them through a dryer on a delicate and low heat cycle.
- While the curtains dry, dust and clean windows, in addition to window sills, curtain tracks and rods.
- It is advised to iron curtains and drapes while they are damp. Work lengthwise starting from the inside.
- Hang curtains back up while they’re a little damp this helps them drop to the proper length.
Non-washable curtains and drapes
To clean non-washable curtains and drapes:
- Use a lint roller or vacuum hose attachment to remove the dust, grime and hair on curtains.
- If it’s convenient, detach the curtains and shake them outdoors like a carpet or rug.
- Spray them with a fabric cleaner to prevent odors or stale smells.
- Use a steam cleaner to clean the curtains, adding a bit of essential oil to the steam cleaner’s water makes the curtains and drapes smell good.
- If the curtains are made of velvet, chenille, velour, brocade, tapestry, wool or silk fabric or are interlined, send them for a dry clean.
How often to clean curtains and drapes
Curtains and drapes should be vacuumed weekly. Take them down and send them to the laundry or wash them once a year. Besides, if you are looking to change the curtains at home, here is how to choose home curtains effectively.
Those were all the important details to clean blinds, curtains and drapes. For keeping your entire house dust-free, go through these tips to prevent dust in homes.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more on home decor solutions.
