10 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Window Treatments
November 26, 2017
Window treatments deliver a terrific mix of fashion and function. They come in a wide range of sizes and styles and help complement the design of any room in your home. Plus, window treatments make it easy to manage light levels, temperature and privacy. And for many homeowners, window treatments have been shown to drive down energy costs as well.
It’s clear that blinds, shades and other window treatments work hard for your home. But without proper maintenance, window treatments can’t perform at their best. Knowing how to take care of your window treatments can help you extend their lifespan.
Here are 10 ways to prolong the life of your window treatments:
1. Sweep Away Dust
With a feather or microfiber duster or cloth, remove dust from faux wood blinds, roller shades and other window treatments. To guarantee the best-possible results when dusting, ensure the window treatments are fully extended and all slats are closed and face in the same direction. Dust lightly in the same direction as the slats; then, turn the slats approximately 90 degrees and dust once again. Finally, tilt the slats so that you can clean the other side.
2. Break Out the Vacuum
Heavy dust sometimes can be tough to remove with a traditional hand duster or cloth. Fortunately, a vacuum can help you remove heavy dust from window treatments. Use the small brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner over shades or blinds and work in the same direction as the slats. Ensure the vacuum suction is on the lowest setting to minimize the risk of twisting or warping.
3. Use a Dryer Sheet
Did you know that a dryer sheet may help you reduce the amount of time that you spend dusting and vacuuming your window treatments? Simply rub window slats with a dryer sheet after cleaning, and you may be able to prevent significant dust build-up.
4. Use Compressed Air
Compressed air may prove to be a fast and effective solution to remove dust from shades and blinds. Of course, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the amount of pressure use on your window treatments—too much pressure could damage them.
5. Perform Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning with lukewarm water and a soft cloth or moist sponge can help you eliminate stains on shades and blinds. With wood blinds, water may damage their surface, so you should substitute water with lemon oil or a wood preservative for effective spot cleaning. Additionally, avoid abrasive cleaners or chemical solvents, as these products can cause surface damage or discoloration.
6. Bathe Your Blinds
Metal, painted and plastic blinds can be cleaned in the bathtub. Use a combination of water and a few drops of dish soap to remove debris, dust and grime. Next, towel dry each slat from front to back to avoid streaking.
7. Untangle Your Window Cords
Although tangled cords might not always affect the functionality of your blinds, they can be frustrating. Tangled cords can also detract from the overall appearance of your window treatments. If you manage your window treatment cords and hang them straight at all times, you can avoid the hassle of having to untangle them.
8. Keep the Cords Wrapped
Cord cleats are plastic or metal safety devices that allow you to wrap dangling window treatment cords. They are simple to install and enable you to keep cords tangle-free and safely out of reach of children and pets.
9. Whiten Your Window Cords
If your window treatment cords appear worn-down, try washing them with mild soap and water to give them a fresh appearance. Or, in some cases, white shoe polish can be used to cover up faded or stained window cords.
10. Clean Your Windows Carefully
Glass cleaner that is applied directly to a window may splatter on to window treatments and damage their appearance. Instead, spray glass cleaner on to a cloth and use the cloth to clean your windows.
The key to keeping your window treatments in top shape for years to come is making sure they’re clean and tidy. With these tips, your blinds and shades will continue to work hard, saving you energy, maintaining privacy, and adding to the style of your home.
Katie Laird is the Director of Social Marketing for Blinds.com and a passionate home decorator for her family with a love of all things Mid-Century Modern and blue. Discover the wide selection of window blinds on Blinds.com, as well as more tips on how to keep your treatments in great shape.
Organizing with Kitchen Vignettes
November 19, 2017
Organizing your kitchen is one thing. Making a personal statement with organization is another thing entirely.
A deluded prelude to kitchen vignettes
Austerity makes a kitchen counter simple to clean. For two years I kept my counter completely bare. It wasn’t because I embrace a minimalist aesthetic, because I don’t. I just found that relentless smatterings of crumbs were easier to clean without hindrances. But…
A kitchen vignette awakening
The austere look lacked humanity. And style. Plus the melamine counter top of my rental simply didn’t merit 100% of the attention. It simply could not do the style job on its own. It demanded a distraction from its underwhelm. An infusion of personality was the answer, in the form of kitchen vignettes.
Sparking a kitchen vignette
Combine any or all of these elements to spark your counter top vignette:
– cooking, eating, or seasoning implements corralled in some type of container, like a vase or tray
– objects in some type of natural material, like wood or marble
– something unexpected: a portrait, a table lamp, or anything you wouldn’t expect to find in a kitchen
– something living like plants or cut flowers, or convincing fakes
– something that reinforces, punches up, or disrupts your color scheme
– something that is uniquely you, and would never be found in a furniture/lifestyle catalog
– a textile that speaks to you, like linen napkins artfully folded and stacked in a basket, or kitschy vintage print tea towels
– something so tacky it makes you laugh
Kitchen vignette takeaway
Eschew austerity with style. There is no need to settle for mere practicality. Things can be both useful, beautiful, and imbued with the quintessential you.
Meaningful kitchen vignettes = utilitarian objects + materials with integrity + an unexpected element.
This guest post was contributed by the gifted Kelly Ellyn, a lifestyle blogger and singer-songwriter based in the Chicago area. Her mantra for making lifestyle decisions is, “How do you want to feel?” This guiding question steers us towards creating a home life that nurtures, soothes, and stimulates. It’s what humans need. Read more about Kelly’s lifestyle ideas at www.lilymoor.com.
Industrial Pipe Furniture the Easy Way
September 21, 2017
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DIY Industrial Pipe Furniture – Without the DIY
Industrial pipe furniture is all the rage. From DIY shelves, to tables to toilet paper holders, home owners are doing it for themselves. Standard black or galvanized pipe can be cut, threaded and combined with joints and wood to create a dizzying combination of custom-sized furniture with a little elbow grease. But what if you could do it yourself without the cutting, threading, sanding and hassle? This clever line of faux-industrial pipe furniture is the anecdote: It’s do-it-yourself without the do-it-yourself. No cutting, measuring or removing that nasty coating. Just unbox it and assemble with a screwdriver.
Versatile and rustic, industrial pipe furniture lends itself to many different decors. Traditionally used in old rural areas, it can give your old home a rustic 40s feel, or add some rugged austerity to an industrial space such as an urban loft. Combine it with modern furniture for an eclectic vibe, integrate into your steampunk abode, or furbish your art studio or craft room for some no-nonsense, utilitarian, open storage. You’re only limited by your imagination.
The pieces in this collection are easy to assemble. You can mix and match based on your needs. And the shelves are composite with an easy-to-wipe, distressed finish for easy maintenance. Best part is there’s no sawing, painting, threading or mess. And did I mention they’re extremely affordable?
Industrial Pipe Furniture Coat Rack
Two shelves store boots, purses and backpacks for convenient storage when you first enter your space. A top shelf holds hats, attaché cases and other essentials, and sturdy locking casters make it easy to relocate, and so pleasing to you restless decorators.
Industrial Pipe Furniture Foyer Bench
Place this bench and rack in the foyer or anywhere it seems convenient. Three hooks store coats and over shirts, and a seat-atop the bottom shelf is perfect for changing your shoes–or use it for an extra shelf.
Industrial Pipe Furniture 4-Shelf Tower
Perfectly proportioned, this 4-shelf storage tower begs for vignettes–or go functional and use it to store books, craft supplies, and more. Each shelf is approximately 12 x 12 inches.
Industrial Pipe Furniture 3-Tier Wall Shelf
Books, media and decorative objects will find a home on these small, three-tiered shelf. It displays well in an entryway, hallway or as an end table.
Industrial Pipe Furniture Side Table
Compact and open ended, this small side table makes a great accent to a davenport and doubles as a bedside table, depending on your needs. Plants, lamps and photos display nicely on the 20 by 16-inch surface.