The beautifying of window areas with shades, curtains, valances, blinds, and or drapes is found in most homes. Although the heavy drapes often used in homes for many years are no longer in style (we now have air conditioning and fans to keep us cool so windows can let the sunshine in year-round, some type of window treatment is commonly used. And, as with most items in a home not closed away in a drawer or closet, dust accumulates over time, and window treatments need to be cleaned. Depending on where you live and how often windows are left open will determine how often cleaning needs to be done. For example, if you live on a busy street or in an area with little grass, you will find more dust will come your way. Most window treatments are easy to clean though some take more time than others.
Probably the easiest type of window treatment to clean is curtains. Most curtains are made of washable fabrics, and some are fabrics with a no-iron feature. The best way to wash curtains is on the delicate cycle. When drying in the dryer, be sure to take out the curtains immediately when dry and hung right up. This should prevent wrinkling. Ironing curtains isn’t difficult but can be very time-consuming.
Drapes, like curtains, are made of fabric. The big difference is that drapes are usually heavy fabric such as brocade and cannot be washed. Thin gauzy over drapes can be washed on delicate but heavy drapes must be dry cleaned. When drapes are dry cleaned, they will be returned pressed and ready to rehang.
Shades and valances are designed to partially cover a window, and depending on the material they are made from, will depend on cleaning techniques. Shade or sometimes referred to as roller blinds, simply need a wipe-down with a damp cloth as needed. As shades are usually rolled up at least partway most of the day, they don’t get dirty as fast as other types of window coverings.
Blinds, Venetian blinds, in particular, come in many styles from vertical to horizontal. These types of blinds are great for keeping out partial light while allowing most light to filter through. They can also be opened fully. Depending on how you keep your binds will decide when to clean them. Too, vertical blinds will need less cleaning as dust does not settle on them easily. However, each horizontal blind slat will act as a resting place for dust and will need frequent wiping down. Using a damp cloth, a microfiber cloth works well; wipe each slat separately and let air dry. This can be a tedious job, so you might want to put on some music or listen to an audiobook while you work.
Window treatments are a lovely enhancement in a home, but they do need caring for. Think carefully when planning your window treatments regarding how much time you want to spend cleaning them. Choose a style for its beauty but also for how much time and or money you want to spend taking care of them.
