Cleaning Blinds, Curtains & Window Coverings
Window coverings — blinds, curtains, roller shades, and shutters — accumulate dust throughout the year and are often the most neglected regularly-cleaned surface in Ontario homes. Addressing them during a deep clean dramatically improves air quality and the overall fresh appearance of a room.
Venetian Blinds (Aluminum or Faux Wood)
Venetian blinds are the most labor-intensive window covering to clean properly. Close the blinds to one side and wipe each slat with a damp microfibre cloth or a blind-cleaning tool (a multi-pronged rubber cleaner designed for slats). Flip the blind direction and repeat. For heavily dusty blinds, remove and soak in a bathtub of warm soapy water, then rinse and dry before rehanding. Blind dusting is one of the tasks where professional cleaning services apply more effort than most DIY cleaners — expect thorough blind cleaning as a component of a professional deep clean.
Roller Shades
Roller shades can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth on both surfaces. Avoid soaking — moisture can damage roller mechanisms and warp the fabric. Regular dusting with a lint roller or vacuum attachment keeps roller shades clean between wipe-downs.
Fabric Curtains
Curtains should be laundered 1–2 times per year — most machine-washable curtains can go on a gentle cold cycle with a light detergent. Remove from the machine promptly and rehang to air dry to prevent wrinkling. Dry-clean-only fabric curtains (velvet, lined silk, heavily embroidered) should be professionally dry cleaned annually — do not attempt to machine-wash.