How to Clean Blinds, Shades and Curtains Without Damaging Them
Most window coverings need very little: regular dusting and the occasional spot clean. The mistakes that ruin them are almost always too much water or the wrong cleaner.
In short
- Dust every few weeks with a soft brush or a vacuum on low.
- Spot-clean with mild soap and a barely damp cloth; never soak fabric shades.
- Blow dust out of honeycomb cells with a hair dryer on cool.
- Check curtain labels: many sheers wash gently, but lined drapery usually needs dry cleaning.
On this page
The basic routine
Every few weeks, dust your shades with a microfibre cloth, a soft brush or a vacuum on low suction with a brush attachment. A few times a year, check for marks and spot-clean them. That's it for most homes. Test any cleaner on a hidden corner first.
Zebra blinds
Lower the blind fully and open the bands so both layers are exposed. Vacuum or dust both the front and back layers, working top to bottom. Spot-clean marks with a cloth barely dampened with mild soapy water and blot dry. Don't soak the fabric or use a steam cleaner. Wipe the cassette with a dry cloth.
Roller shades
Lower the shade fully. Dust or vacuum it, then spot-clean with mild soap and a barely damp cloth. Screen fabrics and many vinyl-coated fabrics tolerate a gentle wipe. Let the shade dry completely before rolling it up, and never fold or crease the fabric.
Honeycomb shades
Dust the face with a soft brush or vacuum on low. To clear dust from inside the cells, blow cool air through them with a hair dryer on its cool setting. Spot-clean gently, and never let water get inside the cells.
Triple shades
The sheer layers are the most delicate fabric we install. Raise the shade fully with the vanes open, dust with a soft brush or vacuum on low, and avoid pulling the vanes. Use as little moisture as possible on marks.
Roman shades
Vacuum gently with a brush attachment. Most Roman shades are spot-clean only; check the care label before using water. Large, lined Roman shades may need professional cleaning.
Curtains and drapes
Vacuum curtains regularly with a brush attachment. Many sheers can be machine-washed on a gentle, cold cycle and rehung slightly damp so the creases fall out; check the label first. Lined drapery and blackout curtains usually need dry cleaning. Ripple-fold curtains unclip from their carriers for cleaning.
Vertical sheers
Dust with a brush or vacuum on low with the vanes open. Spot-clean marks lightly.
Motorized shades
Keep solar panels free of dust so they charge well. Never pull a motorized shade up or down by hand. Wipe remotes and keypads with a dry cloth, and never spray cleaner near the motor.
What to avoid
- Bleach, ammonia and solvent cleaners.
- Soaking shades in the bathtub.
- Scrubbing, which damages coatings and lifts fibres.
- Steam cleaners, unless the label allows it.
- Machine-washing anything but washable curtains.
Stains
Blot, don't rub. Use mild soap and a barely damp cloth, working from the outside of the mark inward, and test on a hidden area first. For stubborn marks, ask us before trying anything stronger.
How often, room by room
| Room | Dusting | Spot-cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Living and dining rooms | Every 2 to 4 weeks | As needed |
| Kitchens | Every 2 weeks | Check monthly for splashes |
| Bedrooms | Monthly | As needed |
| Bathrooms | Monthly | Check for water marks |
| Homes with pets, or near fields | Every 1 to 2 weeks | As needed |
Caring for motors
Motorized shades need almost no maintenance: keep solar panels dust-free, charge battery motors when the app or remote shows a low battery, and never force a shade by hand. If a motor or its programming misbehaves, call us. Every motor and its programming is covered by our full 3-year in-house warranty.
Common questions
Can I wash zebra blinds in the bathtub?
No. Soaking can damage the fabric’s finish and distort the bands. Dust and spot-clean instead.
How do I get dust out of honeycomb shades?
Blow cool air through the cells with a hair dryer on its cool setting, then vacuum the face on low suction.
Can sheer curtains go in the washing machine?
Many can, on a gentle cold cycle. Check the care label, and rehang them slightly damp so creases drop out.
Can I clean a motorized shade while it is lowered?
Yes. Lower it fully with the remote, dust or spot-clean the fabric, and keep liquids away from the motor end.
