Spring Cleaning for Your Blinds

The gloom of winter is finally lifting away for the brightness of summer. Now is the perfect time to open up windows for fresh air and clear away the last stronghold of winter dreariness: dingy window coverings.  Your shades have been down all winter, keeping the cold out of your home, and they too may need a little TLC. Here’s a breakdown of the “how-tos” for the most common dirty-blind culprits.

Vinyl Vertical Blinds and Faux Woods:

Because these are usually made of PVC or a PVC-Wood Composite, the size of faux wood and vinyl vertical blinds needn’t stop you from cleaning them up. A rag and some warm water will easily clean up lingering dust. If you’re wiping them down and notice a thick layer of grunge that resists your efforts and just sticks to the blind, constantly being pushed forward by your rag, don’t despair! This is usually the result of oils from fingers, hair, and airborne skin particles sticking to the surface, and can happen anywhere. Add a few drops of mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent!) to your warm water and watch the grime lift away.

Mini Blinds:

Although they are dust resistant, aluminum blinds still collect dust over time. However, aluminum blinds are exceptionally easy to clean. In fact, most mini blinds can be taken outside and sprayed off with your garden hose. If you do this, be sure to avoid spraying the headrail directly and to allow your blinds to drip-dry on the grass or open the window your blinds hang in so they can dry out quickly. While the aluminum won’t rust, the headrail may if not properly dried. Don’t want to take your blinds down? Most feather dusters work great for a quick cleaning, and the tips above on dealing with greasy spots on your blinds also work for vinyl and aluminum minis, with one added step. Because mini blinds use a thinner slat than faux wood or vertical blinds, they bend more easily and need a more gentle touch when scrubbing the slats. Make sure to rinse and dry them off thoroughly after using soap and water.

Wood Blinds:

Wood blinds are a thing of beauty: all they truly need is a good dusting. However, if you live in a dry climate, you can restore some beauty and add extra protection against the splitting that can occur over time in any wood product with wood polish. Pick your favorite: they are safe on stained woods and will add a luster and shine to your home in keeping with your spring cleaning goals. It should be noted that these cleaners aren’t meant for painted woods, only stained woods. The paint on a white or cream wood blind offers all the protection you need. For spots, use a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

Cellular Shades:

Cellular shades can collect reasonable amounts of dust, especially in the winter. After long months of being down to keep you warm, the first time they’re raised you may see little poufs of dust press out of the pleats, leaving you wondering about the inside of the honeycomb. There’s good news though: most fabrics can be cleaned in your home with no professional help. Using a feather duster, start at the top of the shade and run the duster horizontally across the blind and work your way down the shade in rows. Shake off the duster over a trash can and repeat the process on the back of your blind. Then, lowering your blind as far as you can, run the duster up and down on the shade to knock out any dust bunnies that were hiding in the crease. If you need a deeper clean, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery  attachment. Don’t use the brush attachment, as it may damage more delicate fabrics. If you know the inside of the honeycombs need cleaning, call the manufacturer. Some fabrics can be submerged in your bathtub, while others can be cleaned through injection-extraction cleaning, and you’ll need the manufacturer’s opinion on which should be done. Injection-Extraction cleaning is done in your home by a professional without taking down your shades, so you won’t need to carve out too much time for the process.

Are you shopping for blinds and shades? Check out the “Details and Specs” tab on each product for cleaning and care information to choose the blind that’s right for your needs.

When properly cared for, your window coverings will create exceptional beauty and privacy in your home. So don’t skimp your windows this spring cleaning, and enjoy the beauty of a fresh and bright view for years to come.

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Sometimes, Being Fake is a Good Thing

Wood blinds are a beautiful creation. They bring warmth and color to a room while blocking light and providing privacy. Basswood blinds are economical but beautiful, while North American hardwood has a luster to it that brings any room to life. But Wood blinds can be a drag on your style in certain settings. They have very limited resistance to moisture, which can result in warping and cracking over time. Wood blinds are available in a variety of stains to match your furniture, but those stains are vulnerable to chipping and gouging, especially along the edges.

Faux wood blinds are a great, economical alternative. Named “faux”- the French word “false”- these creations provide more value than their name implies. They have all the same great options avialable like routeless, cordless, and decorative tapes. Many brands coordinate colors between their faux wood and real wood collections, so customers who have their hearts set on Wood can put a sturdy alternative in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. In addition, most manufacturers carry verticals that coordinate with their Faux Wood collections for a warm, coordinated look throughout the entire home, even on pation doors.

What really sets faux wood apart is its value. Not only is faux wood typically less expensive than its counterpart, it is also more durable. Faux wood is made of two materials: either a durable PVC foam or a composite material of blended wood particles and PVC. Blinds made of PVC are the least expensive option and have the best resistance to moisture. Composite-based blinds are the most durable, and resist warping in hot sun conditions. They are also lighter weight, making them easier to raise and lower, and many are made of recylced materials for your peace of mind. Another great way to take advantage of the value of your blinds: order 2 1/2 inch slats for greater view-through and a great alternative to shutters.

Any faux wood blind you choose for your home is sure to add great style and character, bringing years of enjoyment to any home in any budget.

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Walkin’ in a One Day Wonderland

When it comes to windows, there’s nothing worse than having to drape a sheet over a window for holiday guests. But what do you do when the holidays sneak up on you and that window is still embarrassingly bare? The answer is simple and affordable: One Day Production Blinds and Shades from BlindSaver.

One Day Production products are just that: production is completed in one day (typically the day after you place your order and ships within 24 hours). This means that instead of ordering your shades, hoping everything goes off without a hitch, and forking out the hefty fees for next day air, most customers simply place their order and receive it in less than a week and a half.

One Day Production wood blinds, faux wood blinds, and cellular shades are available in a variety of colors to make it easy to coordinate with any room. So make your holidays less hectic this year, and put that sheet on the bed where it belongs.

This year, your guest room is welcoming and warm.

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Choosing the Correct Slat Size for Faux Wood Blinds

If you are looking for the elegant look of wood window blinds but can’t squeeze them into your budget or the window is exposed to a lot of moisture, consider faux wood blinds as an equal alternative. Some faux wood styles even mimic the texture of natural wood. Faux wood blinds are available in a variety of natural white tones as well as a whole range of replica wood tones and matching valance is included with every order.

Faux wood blinds have adjustable slats that come in two sizes: 2 inch or 2-½ inch, and each size serves a different need.

Two-inch slats, the most popular size, offers privacy and light control which is important for bedrooms and bathrooms. Many brands offer upgrades for faux wood blinds to eliminate more light by hiding or disappearing visible route holes for a smoother appearance and increasing sound absorption. Another option available to cover the route holes are 1 ½ inch tapes which add a decorative embellishment to enhance your décor.

If you are worried that window blinds will obstruct your external view, you may prefer the 2 ½ inch slats to let in more light and maintain a clear vista. Larger slats are also a better choice for larger windows. If you like the look of shutters, some window blinds are available with 2-½ inch shutter style slats, which are beveled and have a tasteful and unique look. Faux wood shutters are also now available at BlindSaver.com.

Benefits of faux wood blinds include moisture resistance and easy care. The moisture resistant feature makes them ideal for rooms with high humidity such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. Faux wood blinds are also easy to clean with a light duster, vacuum attachment or a damp rag without worrying about causing water damage or warping. The faux wood blinds work to insulate and reduce energy costs and many are made with recycled material.

Take advantage of low pricing on Levolor and Bali composite and faux wood window blinds and Comfortex Wood Winds. BlindSaver.com offers free one day shipping on BlindSaver One Day 2″ Faux Wood Blinds. Give your home the elegance and style it deserves without breaking the bank.

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How to Clean Wood Blinds

Wood blinds are beautiful and are one of the first things that people notice when they walk into your home. They can also be a challenge when it comes to the task of cleaning them. Cleaning wooden or faux wood blinds keeps the dust off so they look their best. With a few simple cleaning techniques, you won’t work up a sweat while cleaning your wood blinds.

With regular cleaning, dust will not build up making each cleaning quick and easy. You can get away with dusting your blinds about once per month (depending on how dusty your home gets), or just dust whenever you see a layer of dust start to form.

For a quick dust, tilt the slats down and dust with your favorite furniture dusting tool.

For a more thorough cleaning wipe each slat with a soft cloth. Do not use water, solvents or abrasive solutions to clean the blind. This will cause damage to the blind. In very dusty environments, use a non-wax furniture polish to clean the blinds.

You can clean the blind hanging in place or you can take it down. By tilting the slats down, but not quite closed, you’ll be able to clean most of the top surface of each slat.

Some useful cleaning tools for cleaning both wood and faux wood blinds are dust mitts or magnet dusters made of wool or microfiber. Place an old sheet or newspaper on the floor below the window to catch runaway dust particles. Dryer sheets can also come in handy to rub against your cleaning tool so that dust sticks to the tool’s surface better.

Regardless of what you use, check with the manufacturer and test in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn’t damage your blinds. Keep your wood blinds clean and they will last and look beautiful for many years.

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