How to clean and care for your window treatments
Simple, safe ways to keep blinds, shades, shutters, and draperies looking new for years, from the team that installs them across Austin and Central Texas.
Roller, solar & bottom-up shades
- Dust every few weeks with a microfiber cloth, a soft brush, or your vacuum's brush attachment on low.
- Spot clean small marks by blotting with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap. Blot, don't scrub, and let it dry fully before rolling it up.
- Roll shades up and down by the chain, bottom bar, or motor, never by pulling on the fabric itself.
- If a shade starts rolling unevenly or won't stay put, call us. It's usually a quick adjustment.
Zebra (banded) shades
- Raise the shade fully so the bands lie flat, then dust gently with a microfiber cloth or soft vacuum brush.
- Blot small spots with a damp cloth. Avoid soaking the sheer bands.
- If the bands stop lining up evenly, lower and raise the shade fully once to reset it.
Cellular (honeycomb) shades
- Dust with a feather duster or a vacuum brush on the lowest setting.
- To clear dust or bugs from inside the cells, use a hair dryer on the cool setting or a can of compressed air.
- Spot clean only. Most cellular fabrics shouldn't be soaked.
Roman shades
- Vacuum lightly with an upholstery brush, top to bottom.
- Spot clean with a barely damp cloth, testing a hidden spot first.
- Lined or specialty fabrics may need professional dry cleaning. Ask us about yours.
Draperies
- Vacuum every month or two with a soft upholstery brush, working top to bottom.
- A handheld steamer refreshes wrinkles in place.
- Most custom draperies, especially lined ones, should be professionally dry cleaned, not machine washed.
- Open and close by the baton or the leading edge, not by tugging the middle of the panel.
Faux wood blinds
- Close the slats and dust top to bottom, then flip them the other way and repeat.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. Faux wood handles moisture, so it's great in kitchens and baths.
- Tilt gently. Forcing the wand past its stop is the most common reason tilt mechanisms wear out.
Real wood blinds
- Dust regularly with a microfiber cloth or a soft vacuum brush.
- Avoid water. If needed, use a barely damp cloth and dry immediately.
- Keep real wood out of steamy rooms like bathrooms.
Plantation shutters
- Close the louvers and dust top to bottom, then open them and repeat.
- Wipe composite shutters with a damp cloth. Use only a dry or barely damp cloth on stained hardwood.
- Tilt louvers gently, and open panels by the frame, not by the louvers.
Motorized shades & draperies
- Rechargeable motors usually need charging every 6 to 12 months. Plug in the small charging cable when a shade slows down or chirps.
- Solar-charged motors just need a clean panel. Wipe it off a couple of times a year.
- If a shade stops at the wrong height, call us and we'll reset its limits.
- Smart hub acting up? Unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in before calling.
Patio shades, exterior shades & awnings
- Rinse the fabric with a hose a few times a year to clear dust, pollen, and leaves. Let it dry fully before rolling it up.
- Raise outdoor shades and retract awnings in storms and high winds, unless you have a wind sensor doing it for you.
- Check brackets and guide cables once or twice a year, and call us if anything looks loose.
Care questions
Need help? Call or text (512) 751-8408.
How often should I clean my blinds and shades?
A quick dusting every two to four weeks keeps buildup from settling in. Spot clean as needed, and do a more thorough cleaning once or twice a year.
Can I wash my shades in water?
Usually not. Most fabric shades should only be spot cleaned with a damp cloth. Faux wood blinds and composite shutters can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild soap.
How often do motorized shade batteries need charging?
Most rechargeable motors last 6 to 12 months between charges, depending on how often the shades move.
Should draperies be dry cleaned?
Most custom draperies, especially lined panels, should be professionally dry cleaned rather than machine washed. Ask us about your specific fabric.
What if my shade or blind isn't working right?
Call or text us at (512) 751-8408. Many issues are a quick adjustment.
Thinking about new window treatments?
Tell us a little about your project. We'll call to set a time that works, any day of the week, and bring our mobile showroom to you.
(512) 751-8408Text us: (512) 751-8408info@austintexasblinds.comConsultations available Monday through Sunday.
What happens next
- We call you from (512) 751-8408, usually the same day. Save our number so you know it's us.
- No answer? We'll text you from the same number to find a good time.
- We bring the showroom to you: samples at your windows, and we measure everything.
- Written quote within 24 hours. No obligation, no pressure.