In order to keep your window’s blinds and drapes looking good you should clean them on a monthly basis. This not only extends the life of the type of treatment you have, but also prevents dust build-up and makes them easier to clean on a regular basis. Here’s how to keep your window treatments in tip-top condition:

Horizontal and Vertical Fabric Blinds

Weekly: Wipe down with a feather duster.

Monthly: Use the brush tool on your vacuum cleaner.

Annually: Take them to a dry cleaner, or find a company that will do it in your home.

Metal and Vinyl Venetian and Vertical Blinds

Weekly: Close the blinds and wipe down with a feather duster – Do not use a spray polish as this will build up on the surface and make regular cleaning more difficult.

Monthly: Close the blinds and use a slightly damp cloth and a mild mixture and warm water and detergent. Move from top to bottom, or side to side, and wipe down. Close them in the opposite direction and repeat.

Annually: Remove the blinds from the fitting and soak in warm water and a mild solution of washing powder. Lay them flat – the bath is great for this – and let them soak for an hour. Rinse clean, let them drip dry, and then rehang.

Wood or Bamboo Venetian and Vertical Blinds

Weekly: Close the blinds and work from top to bottom, or side to side, with a feather duster. Close in the opposite direction and repeat.

Monthly: Wipe each slat with a almost dry cloth and a mixture of warm water and dry thoroughly.

Annually: If you find that there is a build-up of grime, especially if the blinds are close to a kitchen or bathroom, add lemon juice to warm water and wipe each slat with an almost damp cloth. Dry thoroughly.

Roman or Austrian Blinds

Weekly: Give them a brisk shake and wipe with a feather duster.

Monthly: Dust using the dust-brush tool on the vacuum (set on low suction) or wipe with a damp cloth.

Annually: Take to a dry cleaner. If the fabric is washable you may also hang outside and wash down with warm water and mild dish washing liquid.

Draperies and Curtains

Weekly: Give them a brisk shake.

Monthly: Use the dust-brush accessory on a vacuum cleaner (set on low suction). A Dust-Buster is perfect to have in the home for cleaning drapes and curtains that cannot easily be removed.

Annually: If fabric is washable, launder in the machine on a gentle cycle. Hang to dry and iron while still damp. If fabric is not washable, dry clean. Draperies and curtains in the kitchen or bath or in particularly dusty climates may need to be cleaned more frequently.