Category : Roller Blinds

The Easiest Cleaning Tricks for Window Coverings

Have you ever started cleaning around your house and thought, “There must be an easier way to do this”? Well, these are the cleaning tricks you’ve been looking for…at least for the window coverings anyway!

Sock hands

This is probably the easiest trick of them all to clean roller blinds, especially if you want to be thorough with each slat. Plus, it gives a new life purpose for the odd socks that have lost their significant other!

Simply slip the sock over your hand and run it along the top and bottom of each slat. After every few slats, shake the dust off the sock and continue.

Microfiber-wrapped tongs

Here’s an upgrade of the previous idea: use elastics to wrap a couple of microfiber cloths to both arms of the tongs. Now you can dust both sides of each roller blind slat at the same time!

Vinegar solution

There’s an extra step you can take to deep-clean non-wood roller blinds: spray a bit of vinegar solution on the sock or microfiber cloths before wiping each slat. It’ll come in handy for the blinds in the kitchen that have a film of grease on their surface.

Furniture wood polish

For wooden roller blinds, use furniture wood polish as your deep-clean solution.

Forced air

Another quick way to clean window coverings is through the lowest settings of a handheld vacuum or the cool-shot-mode of a hairdryer. This works very well for roller shades or any coverings made of fabric. You just have to make sure you go between the fabric creases to really get all the dust out.

Warm soapy water

After dusting fabric window treatments with forced air, you can focus on the more stubborn stains using a microfiber cloth sprayed with warm soapy water.

Bathtub soak

What if you can let your blinds clean themselves? This trick is again for non-wood roller blinds, where you fill your bathtub with warm soapy water and immerse the blinds in them one at a time. Remember to also soak them in clean water afterward to rinse away the soap suds. Finally, lay them out to dry on some towels before putting the blinds back up.

Cleaning window treatments have never been easier!

8 Types of Exterior Shutters You Can Combine with Your Window Treatments

Exterior shutters work wonders in tandem with window treatments to bring a certain charm to houses. To make it work, start by getting to know these eight popular types of exterior shutters:

Bermuda/Bahama

Hinged at the top, Bermuda/Bahama shutters can be pushed out from the bottom and propped up with a rod. The slats, called louvers, are angled so that when the shutter is open, the window will be shaded from the sun while still maintaining privacy from direct line of sight.

The quick open-and-close operation of the shutters is practical for storm protection in tropical climates.

Board and Batten

Board and batten shutters are typically built as a joined row of vertical boards braced with a horizontal board near the top and another one near the bottom. The unassuming plainness of these shutters have a rustic, countryside look that feel right at home with farmhouse styles.

Cut-Out

These are solid shutters that feature a cut-out shape. It’s a simple and cute way to showcase your personality. You can cut out shapes that have a personal meaning to you or use a shape that represents the area you live in.

Plantation

Plantation shutters are like harder, framed versions of roller blinds. The louvers are adjustable at overlapping angles that let in sunlight and fresh air while keeping your privacy intact. These are great in hot areas where you’re always trying to strike the balance between keeping the heat out and catching the occasional breeze.

Raised Panel

Similar to traditional cabinet door styles, the centre panel of these shutters appear to pop out because its edges contour into the outer frame. Raised panel shutters will bring a touch of ornate luxury to your house.

Shaker

Shaker-style shutters are the inverse of raised panel shutters. Instead of popping out in a fancy contour, the centre panel is just recessed. It’s well suited to the straightforward, no-nonsense Shaker mentality.

Scandinavian

Scandinavian shutters are best described as highly embellished board and batten shutters. Swirls of intricately carved motifs and shapes cover the shutters. As a finishing touch, they are painted with vibrant colours to make them stand out even more.

Combination

Love two different shutter styles and can’t decide which to go with? Why not combine them together? Typically, the combinations are done with one style on top and a different one on the bottom. Play around with which combinations complement the exterior of your house the best.

With the right exterior shutters and window treatments, you can dramatically maximize the curb appeal of your home.