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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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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3 Reasons to Keep Warm with Wood

Looking for a way to add classic warmth and style to any room in your house? Wood blinds are a perfect window covering for almost every room in your home, adding a sense of warmth and style at a lower price than shutters. With so many beautiful stains and paints to choose from and a wide variety of available options, wood blinds offer a timeless elegance to any home.

1. Energy Efficiency

While cellulars get all the credit for this key point, wood blinds are remarkably green in this regard. Wood blinds have an average R Value (the amount the reduce heat loss) of 3.5-4, which is comparable to many single cell and sheer cellulars.  More notably, wood blinds have a U Value (the amount of heat they prevent from entering your home) of .26- meaning they reduce heat gain by up to 74% when closed.

2. High Quality at a Great Price

Ask anyone in the industry who makes the best wood blinds and the answer may surprise you- it’s usually Levolor or Bali that earn the recommendation of pros, not high-profile “designer” brands. Both brands have a wide array of colors to meet anyone’s style, and both individually hand craft their slats. In addition, Bali’s wood blinds are made using sustainable forestry techniques, including replanting all wood that is harvested and only using North American Hardwood.  Don’t want to take the word of the pros? Over 90% of our customers would recommend Bali’s wood blinds to a friend, and 100% say the same of Levolor’s wood blinds. Starting at less than $90 for 30” x 60” blind, you’ll have room to spare in your budget for our third reason to choose wood.

3. Unique Options to Customize Your Space

Features in wood blinds aren’t just about ladder tapes anymore (although both Bali and Levolor offer a wide variety of beautiful options in this regard). Whether you’re out to eliminate
tangled cords, want to increase privacy, or are looking for stylish valance options, wood blinds have you covered. Available free of route holes and cords, wood blinds are a safe, easy to clean, and privacy-enhancing choice for your home. Want a beautiful way to top it off? Try adding one of many available decorative valances and cornices to your window for the perfect finishing
touch.

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How to Remove Old Blinds Without Damages

You’re excited to finally get rid of those dirty, bent, tacky blinds from 1988. Put down the pry bar for a minute and read this article before you accidentally damage your wall or window frame. Removing mini blinds, roman blinds, and wooden blinds without damage can all be accomplished by taking your time and using the right tools.

Before starting the removal process, you will need a few tools: a screwdriver, pliers, joint compound, a small putty knife, a sponge, paint that matches the wall’s current color, a paint brush, and wall primer if you think you need it. The wall primer is optional.

Step 1: Raise up the blinds all the way before doing anything. This makes them easier to handle.

Step 2: Some products use a valance or cornice to cover the top rail and brackets.  Next you will want to remove this valance.  Be very gentle for this step. Grab the bottom of the valance and push it toward the direction of the window so that you create a slight gap between the top of the valance and the top of the clips. Very carefully push the valance in an upward and outward motion at an angle until it is not touching the clips anymore. Make sure to remove the valance gently or the clips will break off.

Step 3: On a door mounted blind the hold down brackets need to be removed. These brackets are the ones that attach the bottom part of the blinds against the wall. Sometimes the end cap portion of the bottom rail has hold-down pins. If this is the case, remove the hold down pins before removing the hold down brackets. Next, use your screwdriver to unscrew the hold down bracket screws. For extra tight pins and screws, remove them with a set of pliers and use a power screwdriver instead of manual screwdriver.

Step 4: On wood, faux wood, and other horizontal blinds, you will unlatch the mounting brackets from the front and slide the head rail out. If the blinds are heavy or bulky, you may need help with this step. Wooden blinds tend to be heavier.  Roman shades and cellular shades brackets are often times spring loaded or require a or tab is loosened behind the shade.  You may need to refer to the product installation instructions to determine which type of bracket your blind uses.

Step 5: Remove the side and center mounting brackets with a screwdriver. If there are wall anchors, you may have to remove them with needle nosed pliers.

Step 6: The screws probably left small holes in the wall. Get out your joint compound and patch the holes using your putty knife. While it’s still wet, smooth out the joint compound with a sponge and let dry. Get paint that matches the current color on the wall and paint over the newly smooth area after the joint compound is completely dry. I like to save small glass food jars from pickles and salsa and stuff. I use them to store a little bit of paint for quick touch-ups like this.

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Featured Brand: Levolor

Levolor blinds are one of the most trusted and desired window shade brands on the market. Levolor continues to be a top choice in window treatments with their wide variety of high end cellular, roman and woven wood shades as well as vertical, aluminum, faux and wood blinds, and panel track window treatments.. Levolor provides excellent value, superior quality, and lots of style.

Since the early 1900’s, Levolor shades have been the go-to source for window shades. Today, Levolor maintains this loyal dedication to quality, value, and innovative style in the world of window shades. Levolor is a division of the Newell-Rubbermaid Company, a global marketer of consumer and commercial products.

After starting up in 1914, Levolor quickly became synonymous with aluminum horizontal blinds or the 1” mini-blind that continue to be featured in just about everyone’s home in the US. Levolor is also well known for their contemporary Levolor Accordia cellular shades and their continued excellence in creating stylish custom window treatments. If you are looking for a unique look for your window coverings, Levolor blinds should be at the top of your list.

Levolor shades are a timeless addition to any home or office. As beautiful as they are functional, Levolor blinds will continue to be a worldwide market leader in window fashions. The diverse line of Levolor shades includes attractive designer creations such as vertical blinds, aluminum blinds, and wood blinds. Levolor cellular shades, woven wood shades, and sheer vertical shades round out their diverse offerings.

The Levolor Accordia cellular shades are one of the most popular blind choices they offer. These stylish honeycomb-shaped energy savers, available in a variety of fabrics, conveniently and effectively trap air. This creates a layer of insulation right at the window, which normally does not have as much insulative value as the surround wall. The pockets of these cellular shades increase the energy efficiency of windows in both winter and summer. For those who are looking for a quick and affordable way to instantly save money on heating and cooling, Levolor cellular shades are an ideal match.

If you need assistance choosing Levolor shades best suited for your home and style, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you find the perfect style of blind or shades that you are sure to love.

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