You need to clean your fabric window shades regularly so they look good and remain durable. This article covers everything you need to know about cleaning fabric window shades.
Table of Contents:
- Why It’s Important to Clean Your Fabric Window Shades
- Supplies Needed
- How to Clean Roller Shades
- How to Clean Roman Shades
- How to Clean Cellular Shades
- How to Clean Solar Shades
- How to Clean Vertical Shades
- Tips for Cleaning Fabric Window Shades
Why It’s Important to Clean Your Fabric Window Shades
Fabric window shades are interior window coverings made up of fabric. These fabrics can be linen, cotton, polyester, silk, or even woven materials like bamboo and jute. There are also different types of fabric shades, like roller, Roman, cellular, solar, and vertical.
When dust particles, grains, and pet hairs settle on window shades, they start to lose their shine and bright color, and over time, their quality begins to decline.
You wouldn’t want your fabric window shades to look worn out just six months after installation. That’s why you need to clean regularly to maintain their look and texture.
Regular cleaning like dusting or vacuuming help prevent dirt from building up and becoming difficult to remove. It also reduces the chances of permanent stains, which can ruin your shades.
Supplies Needed
Here are all the tools and materials you need to clean your fabric window shades:
- Soft brush
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mild detergent
- Microfiber cloth
- Bucket of water
- Soft sponge
- Canned air or a blow dryer
There are different types of fabric window shades, and each requires a slightly different cleaning method. Let’s discuss how to clean each one.
How to Clean Roller Shades?
- Use a microfiber cloth, duster, or vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to properly remove dust, pet hairs, or allergens from the roller shades.
- Mix mild detergent with water and use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the shades.
- For deep cleaning, spot-clean with a soft-bristled brush or a damp cloth. Make sure to scrub gently so you don’t ruin the roller shades.
- Dab with a soft cloth to remove excess water from the roller shades.
- Leave the shades to dry and inspect whether any stains or spots persist.
How to Clean Roman Shades?
Before cleaning Roman shades, make sure to check the label first to know whether they are washable. If they are washable, here’s how you can clean them:
- Dust the shades with a vacuum cleaner or feather duster.
- Add some detergent to a bucket of lukewarm water. Keep the shades submerged for 10 minutes.
- Gently agitate the fabric and rinse it thoroughly with water.
- Hang the shades on a clothesline to let them air dry.
- Iron them with a steam iron to remove wrinkles.
If they are non-washable and you have stained your Roman shades, follow these steps to remove the stains:
- Use a vacuum cleaner or a feather duster to remove dust.
- Add a small amount of mild dish soap to a cup of lukewarm water and blot the stain gently. For stubborn stains, you need to use a dry-cleaning solvent. Don’t rub, as that can push the stain into the fabric.
- Blot the area with a clean damp cloth.
- Let them dry.
How to Clean Cellular Shades?
- Use a feather duster or a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to gently remove dust.
- Use canned air or a blow dryer to remove dust residue from the honeycomb cells of the shades.
- For stains, spot-clean using a mild detergent and water, and rub the shades gently with a soft cloth.
- Allow them to dry.
How to Clean Solar Shades?
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean off dust and debris from the window shade, moving from side to side.
- Look out for stains and spot-clean with a damp cloth and clean water. Don’t apply pressure, as that can damage the delicate solar fabric.
- Dab with a dry cloth and allow it to dry.
How to Clean Vertical Shades?
- Use a soft brush to remove dust, debris, and pollen that have settled on the shades.
- Detach the vertical shades from the clamped rods if you need to remove stains or grease.
- Mix mild detergent with water and moisten a microfiber cloth with the solution.
- Clean from top to bottom in sections until every part is covered.
- Let the shades dry.
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Tips for Cleaning Fabric Window Shades
Here are some tips to clean fabric window shades the right way:
- Avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaning agents and detergents.
- Before using any cleaning detergent, test it on a small hidden, inconspicuous area of the shade to see if there are any color changes or damage to the fabric.
- Use warm water instead of hot so the fabric doesn’t shrink.
- Before doing any cleaning, read the manufacturer’s instructions for your fabric’s specific care requirements.
- Avoid using excess water or a wet cloth to clean the fabric window shade. The cloth used should be wrung properly until it is damp.
- The brush for cleaning and the brush for the vacuum attachment should be soft. Brushes with rough bristles can ruin the fabric of the window shade.
- Avoid sun-drying fabric window shades, as direct sunlight can shrink and damage them.
Read More: How Much Do Motorized Window Shades Cost?
The Final Word
Fabric window shades are an important part of your home, and you need to clean them regularly so they last longer. By following the steps and tips for cleaning specific fabric window shades, you can care for your shades properly. If your window shades are too dirty or you simply don’t want to get your hands dirty, hire a professional.
If your fabric window shades are damaged or are too old and need replacement, get in touch with Family Interiors. With over 49 years of experience, we offer a range of window covering options, including shades, blinds, draperies, curtains, and shutters.
We provide free in-house estimates and serve customers throughout San Diego County.
