If you've invested in quality window treatments like Bali blinds, you don't want to take the chance of damaging them by using the wrong dusting or spotting techniques. Like most reputable manufacturers, Bali offers a variety of cleaning recommendations, so regardless of the material you've chosen; wood, fabric or vinyl, your blinds can maintain the appearance they had when they were first hung. As a bonus, proper cleaning helps rid your home of allergens.
Instructions
* 1. Dust the blinds using a commercial grade feather duster to gently remove surface collections of grime and dirt. Be particularly kind to Bali aluminum blinds. They are treated to resist dirt and dust but if they are repeatedly bent, scratches on the blades could create hiding places for grime that will require more than a duster to clean out.
* 2. Vacuum the blinds when dusting doesn't remove all of the dirt. Use an upholstery attachment connected to a long hose. Gently sweep from side to side from the top down. Starting from the bottom could double your vacuum time because you'll be redistributing dust as you work. If you detect stains that can't be vacuumed away, dab the area with a damp cloth or use a mild cleaning agent to remove the grime.
* 3. Bathe the blinds. Bali-manufactured vertical blinds, are made to unsnap from their trolley frames and cleaned in a tub using a mild detergent and soft brush. Soak each blind for a short period of time before wiping each blade down.
* 4. Spot clean using a mild detergent, soft cloth and warm water using short strokes to avoid wrinkling or crushing delicate materials. Use a large, dry cloth or chamois to absorb moisture. If you hang blinds immediately without hand-drying the blades, you could leave new stains behind.
* 5. Clean extremely dirty blinds using alternate methods. Some window treatment pros recommend using a product like Windex® to tackle ultra-difficult challenges. If you decide to use this cleaning tip, test clean a spot at the top of the blind unit - near the ceiling - to see how well the product works.
* 6. Spruce up your Bali wood blinds. Use a clean, soft, damp cloth to remove soil from painted wood blinds. Blinds that have been stained and sealed are beautifully restored using commercial wood preservative products such as lemon oil.
* 7. Rehabilitate Sheer Enchantment® blinds by separating blade backings from the fabric, then wash fabric the fabric panels in mild laundry soap. Do not put the clean panels in the clothes dryer! Line dry, then steam or iron the panels on a low temperature setting, then snap fabric strips back onto their vinyl backings.
By Gail Cohen
