How to deal with Mould when it comes to your shading systems and Cleaning tips for Household Blinds, Curtains and Shutters

Unlike the floor, or the kitchen, window treatments are a part of the home that often get neglected when it comes to cleaning time. So, to help make your windows sparkle

Mould forming on your blinds is not only unsightly, it can be harmful to your health. Mould thrives in damp areas such as windows, where there is dust, dirt or organic material, that’s why the number one way to reduce mould is to open your windows regularly. By opening the windows at least once a day, this allows the mould spores to escape and lets patches of condensation dry out.

If you’ve already got some mould forming in your windows, curtains and blinds, here are some mould removal cleaning tips.

Mouldy curtains

Before turning to commercial anti-mould products that often contain harsh chemicals, start the mould removal process by vacuuming the fabric to remove mildew spores. Then, try rubbing the mildew spots with a paste made from lemon juice and salt. Once the paste has been applied, give the curtains a thorough wash in the machine (following the instructions on the tag).

Mouldy non-fabric blinds

Just like mouldy curtains, try this hack for cleaning blinds before you turn to chlorine-based bleach. Spot clean with detergent and water or some lemon juice for stubborn mould, then soak in hot water and air dry.

Mouldy fabric blinds

To clean mould off fabric blinds, lay them on a flat surface and use a soft brush to wipe away dry mould. Then, use a mild detergent solution to wipe the fabric, followed by a clean cloth washed in water. Finally, hang them up to air dry.

Cleaning tips for Household Blinds, Curtains and Shutters

Here some tips on how to keep your blinds in good shape with minimal effort and minimal cost.

1: If you don’t have a vacuum or microfibre towel handy, you can just as easily substitute the vacuum for a the microfiber towel or a single (clean) sock. Put the sock on your hand and run it along any surface to pick up dust for clean blinds in a flash. Easy!

2: To remove dust from roller blinds, extend the fabric to its full length and wipe both sides down with a damp cloth.

Roller blinds are one of the most practical and cost-effective window treatments you can buy. But, just like anything else in your home, they can easily accumulate dirt and dust. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to get them back in tip-top shape, just follow these three simple steps.

3: Rotate shutters in the morning to keep harsh light out and let your fur babies see out the window.

Shutters are already great for providing insulation and keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. However, you can make them even more effective with this simple tip. When you leave home for the day, don’t forget to tilt your shutter blades up (with the rounded side facing out). This will ensure your pet will still be able to see outside while moving some of the heat towards the ceiling instead of the floor (saving you extra dollars on your energy bills!).

4: Never leave your blinds permanently up or down.

Once you’ve installed window treatments in your home, don’t forget to keep them moving! If you leave your blinds in the one position too long, your blinds will retain a memory of that one position. This can lead to multiple problems such as the blinds getting stuck in a raised or lowered position or not being able to rotate properly.

Frequent movement gives them life and prolongs the life of your blinds so it’s important to make sure they move often in all the ways they were designed to. Pull fabric blinds up and down or rotate the louvres or slats of shutters, To further prolong the life of your blinds and other window treatments, always use the operating device (control chain, cords or wand) to keep them in alignment and functioning the way they were designed to.

Now you know how best to clean your blinds, no matter what type you have in your home. Sometimes however, blinds can be severely damaged or stained in which case cleaning them may not be an option.

To learn more about updating your home’s window treatments and adding motorisation, speak to our team at Turnerarc.