Blog

The most common home design mistakes that people make with windows

When it comes to designing a home, homeowners place a great deal of emphasis on bringing their personalities into their homes’ overall aesthetics. From finding the perfect pieces of furniture to finally deciding on a paint color, home design can be an exciting, overwhelming, fun, and tiring experience. One of the aspects of home design is the treatment of windows. Window furnishings, window placement if you are building a home, and window style can all add or detract from turning a house into a home with personality. In order to make sure that you are not neglecting your windows when designing your home, here are the most common home design mistakes that people often make with windows.

Neglecting Window Treatments

Every home has windows. For many people, the more windows, the better. Windows help bring natural light and outdoor beauty into a home. They can make a room feel larger. Unfortunately, because of the positive effects that windows have on homes, some homeowners neglect adding window treatments and leave their windows bare. Not utilizing window treatments like blinds or drapes can not only make a home’s design feel incomplete, it takes away certain options that windows offer a homeowner. Things like privacy, heat, and light are all affected when window treatments are neglected. With that being said, you do not need to purchase drapes to outfit a window. There are various treatment options available that offer privacy without the space that drapery requires.

Misplaced Window Treatments

If you have made the smart decision to apply window treatments, it is important that they are sized and placed correctly. Curtains are too great of an investment to have them improperly placed. You do not want curtains dragging on the floor, for example. Curtain rods should be placed closer to the ceiling than directly above the window trim. Further, many homeowners may assume that if a window is small or in a “splash” zone like behind a sink, treatments will only collect grime. There are specific window treatments available for windows that are behind sinks or above toilets. Window treatments offer homeowners privacy and pops of color; they are very beneficial if you opt for fully white walls as they add dimension to a space.

Blocking Windows

Windows are extensions of the home and are meant to be seen, not hidden. They offer a home many benefits and should be taken into account when you are furnishing a room. Bookcases and sofas should not block windows. Windows are sources of natural light and natural heat; as such, windows offer homeowners form and function. They complement a space and can lower utility costs in a home. Blocking windows from view disrupts some of the main purposes that windows serve.

If you are looking to amp up your home’s design by paying special attention to your windows, schedule a consultation with The Blinds Side today at 410-314-4535 to go over your options and to find the perfect furnishings and treatments for the windows of your home.

Big home privacy concerns that you shouldn’t neglect

One of the biggest priorities homeowners have is making sure that their homes are not lacking in privacy. Privacy and security go hand-in-hand. The better equipped your home is in regards to privacy, the more secure it will inevitably be. A home’s privacy levels depend on a number of variables. When trying to establish just how “private” you want your home to be, consider certain factors. Is your home in a high-traffic area or do you live in a secluded space? Do you live in a city that is known for home break-ins or do you live in a small town that operates under a “no need to lock the door” mentality? Does your home have many windows that neighbors can easily see through or are your windows positioned in strategic areas that amplify privacy? While these are all factors to consider when thinking about the privacy of your home, there are a handful of big home privacy concerns that should not be neglected, regardless of the answers to the questions listed above.

Bare Windows

Lack of energy-efficiency aside, bare windows also invite any passerby to get a glimpse inside of your home. While some people may not be concerned with entryway windows, bare windows in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other personal living spaces greatly decrease home privacy. It is important to remember that just because you cannot see through a neighbor’s windows when you are in your bedroom, that does not necessarily mean that they cannot see through your windows. There are many window treatments available that are specifically made for increased privacy.

Old Hardware and Fixtures

Old hardware on doors and windows is not just a security risk. Windows that do not close properly or that are loose do not block sound to the best of their abilities. When having conversations in your home, you expect that your conversations are private. Old, worn hardware does not keep doors and windows in secure closed positions. It allows for various openings that greatly decrease privacy.

Relying on “Smart” Devices

“Smart” devices like Alexa certainly make running a home easier. With that being said, the always “on” feature that many smart devices have decreases privacy and is the biggest reason why so many consumers are still hesitant to have an array of smart devices in the home. Make sure that your smart devices are used in a smart way that ensures the privacy of your home remains intact.

No Landscaping

One of the easiest ways to increase a home’s privacy is by utilizing landscaping. Shrubbery, for example, that is placed beneath exterior windows and that is adorned with thorns, is an easy way to keep people from getting too close to your home’s windows. Tall trees or leafy plants can also be used to block your home and yard from neighboring homes.

Increasing a home’s privacy does not have to a complicated process. The Blinds Side offers an array of window privacy options that can immediately address any of your privacy concerns. Contact The Blinds Side today to learn more.

How to transform different spaces in your home with shutters

Shutters are fantastic additions to any home. Using shutters as window treatments is a classy way to furnish your windows while adding dimension, style, and personality to a room. They also have many benefits. They are durable, easy to maintain, and are incredibly easy to use. One benefit that many homeowners may not be aware of is that shutters can also be used to transform certain spaces of the home and, unlike drapes or blinds, shutters can serve other purposes in the home aside from acting as window coverings.

Shutters as partitions

Shutters act as fantastic partitions or room dividers. Because high-quality shutters, like plantation shutters, are solid they are fantastic at blocking out light and various sounds; this makes shutters the perfect materials to divide a room without having to undergo the process of adding a permanent wall. Using floor-to-ceiling plantation shutter partitions, you can completely divide a large room. This is a fantastic idea for homes or offices with open floor plans that sometimes require privacy, but would like the option to open up the space when warranted. Further, shutters do not need to be floor-to-ceiling to separate spaces. If, for example, you have an opening in a wall that separates the kitchen from another room and that serves as a bar, shutters can be applied to the open space as a way to fully close off both rooms for privacy.

Shutters as wall covers

Sometimes, cabinet doors do not complement a space. Shutters make for excellent alternatives to the traditional cabinet door. A great way to use shutters in this fashion is to use them in living spaces that focus a lot on decor. For example, if you have a stereo system that has been built into a wall in your living room but would like it covered decoratively, shutters made from reclaimed wood, or another material that matches your home’s decor, make for excellent, aesthetically-pleasing, functional covers, especially for things that emit sound. Unlike cabinet doors that would need to be opened in a traditional manner to get the full effect of a stereo system’s sound quality, shutters can be opened without having to swing them open. This saves space and maintains a tidy appearance, which is beneficial when entertaining.

Shutters as decorations

If you are looking to upgrade the shutters in your home, do not throw out your old shutters. Shutters, in addition to acting as great window treatments, make for wonderful decorations. They can be painted and used as hanging gardens, tables, entry-way signs, and photo displays. Websites like Pinterest have many DIY shutter craft ideas and are great resources when you are looking to repurpose your old shutters.

As you can see, shutters do much more than cover windows. With an array of uses, shutters are worth looking into. If you are looking to use shutters in a non-traditional way in your home, contact The Blinds Side to set up a consultation or to determine what kinds of shutters are needed to turn your decor ideas into reality.

Types of Window Treatments to Use with Doors

There are so many suitable options when it comes to coverings for windows in your home that your biggest challenge might be choosing from too many seemingly perfect products. However, you may also find yourself having to cover larger expanses of glass if your home features sliding glass doors, French doors, or other doors with windows in them.

This can be a bit more difficult because you need to make sure your doorways remain functional, insomuch as people can use them as points of entry. If you choose the wrong window treatments for your doors, you could end up creating a hazard for people entering and exiting the home. Which types of window dressings for doors will provide the privacy you prefer without the danger of harm? Here are a few things to consider.

The Trick with Vertical Window Dressings

You can enhance the drama of doors by adding height with vertical window treatments, but there are a couple of caveats to utilizing floor-length drapes or vertical blinds. These window dressings are designed to rest outside a window frame, which means they could impede traffic through doorways. For this reason, it is imperative that you make sure they are fully outside the perimeter of the door frame when open.

You’ll want to set the curtain rod well above the door and make sure it extends far enough on either side that the curtains completely clear the door frame when open. This will not only ensure an unobstructed view, but also reduce tripping or other hazards for people crossing the threshold.

Hiding Hardware

Because you’ll need significantly more robust hardware to support massive drapes or vertical blinds for doors, you may want to hide it with the help of a valance or cornice. You will need some extra height in the room for this, so make sure to seek professional help before you buy a product that might not fit.

Blinds

In addition to vertical window treatments, you have the option to install horizontal window coverings like blinds or shades. These will not be placed outside the perimeter of the door frame, but rather on the doors themselves. This means they have to be fitted perfectly to your doors, so precise measurements are a must.

The main draw of this type of window treatment for your doors is that you remove the potential hindrance of window dressings that must be moved aside in order for the doors to remain functional. With horizontal window treatments, the coverings move with the doors and are never in the way. In addition, you gain added control over privacy and natural light coming in, especially when you choose cellular blinds that allow diffuse light in through fabric panels.

Shades

Like blinds, shades will attach to the top of the door and they can be drawn up to allow for lighting and a view outside. If you choose Roman shades, you have plenty of opportunity to add depth, dimension, and drama to your doors thanks to attractive pleating.

If you’re tired of wondering whether outsiders are getting a gander of your home and your family through uncovered glass doors, it’s time to contact the experts at The Blinds Side at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com to schedule a consultation and explore your options for suitable window treatments.

The Most Common Questions about Window Treatments

Choosing window treatments for your home is a personal experience. Not only do you want to make sure your taste and personality are represented, but you have your own priorities where function is concerned. Some people value privacy above all else, while others are interested in light and sound control. Some want window treatments that offer energy saving properties.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the perfect window treatments for your home. The process starts with asking the right questions. Here are a few of the most common questions you’ll want to pose to your window treatment specialist.

How Do I Measure for Window Treatments?

Precise measurements are essential for most custom window treatments, to ensure that you don’t end up with drapes that come up short of the bottom sill, blinds that won’t fit within the frame, or shutters that don’t close because of gaps or overlaps. There are tutorials online to help you try to take foolproof measurements, but your best bet is to rely on professional installers to take measurements so that they can order properly sized window treatments for seamless installation.

What’s the Difference Between Window Treatments?

There are four main types of window treatments to consider: drapes, blinds, shades, and shutters. All have different benefits and potential drawbacks to consider. Drapes, for example, are generally situated outside the window frame, allowing you to add depth and drama to interior décor. They come in a variety of fabrics to match your personal style, but they don’t tend to offer the most convenient form of privacy and light control as heavy drapes provide optimal privacy but no light and sheers provide plenty of light but little privacy.

Blinds and shades are often among the best choices because there are so many options to consider. Blinds feature slats that rotate for impeccable light control, and you can choose models that are complemented by fabric layers to allow diffuse light in while still adding privacy. Some shades, such as solar shades, are transparent enough to allow a view outside even as they block the ingress of heat-producing solar rays. They can even block the view from the outside. Then there are shutters, which are similar to blinds, but more robust. They generally cost more than blinds but offer greater durability.

Which Window Treatments are Right for Different Rooms?

Understanding the differences between window treatments will help you to choose the perfect products for every room in your home. You might want blackout curtains, blinds, or shades for the bedroom to control light and privacy. You may not want wooden blinds or shutters in bathrooms, where heat and moisture could cause warping. Your window treatment expert can explain pros and cons and help you to choose suitable options for every room.

Do I Need Help Choosing and Installing Window Treatments?

You can head to department or home stores in search of generic window treatments, but the truth is, you’ll get a lot more for your money when you partner with professionals. Experts can help you choose the perfect window coverings for every room in your home, take precise measurements, and install window treatments quickly for your convenience. Contact the pros at The Blinds Side today at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com to learn more and schedule a consultation.

The Best Window Covering Options for Your Sunroom

Installing window treatments in a sunroom might seem contradictory to the purpose of the room, but the truth is, even when enjoying your sunroom, you probably don’t want to suffer a sunburn, squint in the glare, or feel like you’re baking in an oven. This is why you need window coverings that provide you with opportunities to control the heat and light coming in.

There are a couple of things you’ll want to think about when it comes to choosing the perfect window coverings for your sunroom. Mainly, you’ll want products that suit your intended usage of the room – i.e. window treatments that allow you to enjoy the natural light and the view. However, style is always a consideration, as well. Here are just a few of the best options to explore when it comes to window dressings for your sunroom.

Curtains

Curtains can be a stylish addition to any room, as long as you choose the products with the right features. If you’re going to add curtains to a sunroom, consider light, gauzy sheers that filter the light, but don’t stop it from coming in.

Alternately, you could use café curtains that cover just the lower half of windows as a way to keep direct sunlight off your skin and out of your eyes, but still let a ton of light in through the upper portion of the windows. As a side note, these types of curtains won’t do much to stop heat gain.

Blinds

Adjustable blinds are a great option for sunrooms because there are so many styles and features to choose from. If you go with horizontal blinds, you could not only choose a sheer fabric that allows diffuse light to seep through, but you could also choose models that open from the bottom up and the top down, providing myriad options for letting light stream in. Another option is vertical blinds that allow total access to your outside view and the ingress of sunlight.

You might prefer blinds that have blackout or thermal features to allow not only optimal light control, but to alleviate heat gain, say during long summer days when the temperature is high and you’re out of the house at work or away on vacation. There’s no reason to pay exorbitant cooling costs when you’re not even home to enjoy your sunroom.

Shades

Shades are another good option for sunrooms, especially when you consider the many benefits of solar shades. These window coverings come in a wide range of transparencies, allowing you to choose how much light comes in and how well you can see your view. Some appear as nothing more than a tint over your windows.

However, solar shades can help to significantly reduce the solar heat coming in, alleviating heat gain to keep your sunroom more comfortable with less need for cooling. If you’re worried about privacy, you should know there are even products that let you see out, but block the view in from the outside.

When you’re looking to get the most out of your sunroom, the right window coverings can make all the difference. Contact the experienced professionals at The Blinds Side today at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com to learn more and schedule your consultation.

Is it Time to Replace Your Window Treatments?

With sound planning, careful selection, and expert installation, your window treatments will serve you well for many years, providing the privacy and light control you prefer while helping to display your personal style and enhancing other elements of your home décor. Eventually, however, there will come a time when you’ll want to replace existing window treatments with something new.

How do you know when it’s time to upgrade to new window treatments in your home? There are several factors that could play a role in your decision to donate or ditch your outdated window coverings in favor of something new.

Damage

Some window treatments are going to be more robust and long-lasting than others because of superior materials or construction, but over time, with frequent use and abuse, any window treatment can become damaged. Pull cords can break, slats can loosen, colors can fade in the sun, and of course, kids and pets can wreak havoc on every part of your home, window coverings included.

Then there is the buildup of dust, dirt, and grime that can make your window treatments look worse for the wear. Even if you’re on point with household chores, cleaning window coverings is one task that is often forgotten. When wear and tear compromise the function and appeal of your window treatments, it’s time to consider upgrading to something newer, and possibly more durable.

Functionality

When you first install new shutters, shades, blinds, or drapes, they probably open and close with ease, allowing you to conveniently control lighting and privacy in your home. Over time, however, parts can begin to stick or break, slats can warp, and you may start to notice serious issues with the functionality of your window treatments.

If you’re content to leave them in the open or closed position indefinitely, perhaps this isn’t a problem for you. Most homeowners will want to upgrade to window treatments that are functional, as well as attractive.

Updating Décor

Fashion trends change rapidly, and while classic tastes never go out of style, there may come a point where you decide it’s time to update your décor. In some cases, well-preserved window treatments will work just fine with new furniture, fixtures, flooring, and paint or wallpaper. Or you might want to install new window treatments that are better suited to enhancing your updated interior design. Either way, this is a good opportunity to rethink your current window coverings and whether or not you can improve on them.

New Additions to the Family

The floor-to-ceiling drapes that added drama to your rooms when you were single might not work as well when you have a dog or cat clawing at them or a baby trying to pull himself up with the aid of your window dressings. You definitely don’t want cords hanging down that

could become a choking or strangulation hazard. Whenever you bring a new child or pet into your home, you’ll want to give your window treatments a long, hard look and decide if they’re safe and suitable or if it’s time for a change.

With help from the experts at The Blinds Side, you can determine whether or not it’s time for new window treatments and which products are going to work best for your home. Contact the trusted professionals at The Blinds Side today at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com to learn more.

How to Childproof the Windows in Your Home

Children are prone to accidents, as every parent knows. As their motor skills develop and they learn to crawl, walk, and move through the world, their curious nature is going to lead to tumbles and trouble along the way. This is why you work so hard to childproof your home, where the vast majority of accidents befall babies, toddlers, and small children.

According to the 2015 Safe Kids Worldwide article “Report to the Nation: Protecting Children in Your Home”, more than 3,300 children under the age of five are injured falling out of windows each year, and about eight actually die. This doesn’t even include related injuries due to accidentally breaking glass windows, for example. How can you childproof the windows in your home to eliminate the potential for such accidents? Here are a few strategies to employ.

Add Locks and/or Stops

Just as you install locks on cabinet doors and drawers to stop curious toddlers from getting into the trash, toxic chemical cleaners, and dangerous cooking implements like pots, pans, and knives, you can install childproof window locks to stop them from opening sliding windows and falling through. Most mount onto frames and can be easily removed when your child is old enough to understand the dangers of leaning on window screens.

If you enjoy fresh air in your home and you like to keep windows cracked open, you can add window stops, or wedge-shaped attachments that stop windows from sliding open past a certain point. This way, you can keep windows open just enough to get fresh air, without the worry about your toddler falling through.

Add Window Guards

Another option if you’re worried about the addition of locks or stops that could make it difficult to get out a window during emergency situations (like a house fire) is to install window guards. These grille-like products can be attached to the lower portion of a window to keep toddlers and small children from reaching the screen even when the window is open. You’ll want to make sure to look for models that are impossible for kids to open, but that you can quickly unlatch in case of an emergency.

Add Window Film

The greatest fear for many parents is kids falling through open windows, but clumsy or rambunctious kids could also be at risk for breaking glass, which could shatter into a million pieces and pose an incredible hazard. The simple solution is to add a window film designed to contain shards should the pane be broken. It’s easy to apply, it won’t block your view, and in some cases, you’ll get UV protection in the process.

Choose the Right Window Coverings

Now that you’ve secured the frames and glass, it’s time to make sure your window coverings won’t pose a hazard to growing kids. It’s probably best to skip long drapes that kids might grab onto and inadvertently pull down on themselves. However, a bigger potential danger is pull cords for blinds or shades. These can be both a choking and a strangulation hazard.

The good news is, you can find a variety of cordless options to create a safer environment for your children. Just contact the specialists at The Blinds Side at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com to learn more about safe window treatments for your home.

Energy Efficient Window Coverings: What You Need to Know

In case you didn’t know, windows are a primary point of ingress for outside temperatures, whether you live in a climate that enjoys sunlight year-round or you suffer through freezing temperatures during the long winter months. Keeping your home comfortable and controlling energy costs can feel like a losing battle when outdoor temperatures leech in through windows and heat up your home or leave you with chilly drafts.

The good news is, you can utilize energy efficient window coverings designed to curb the intrusion of outside temperatures, allowing you to maintain a comfortable home interior, reduce energy waste, and cut your heating and cooling costs in the process. Here’s what you should know about energy efficient window coverings and what they can do for your home.

Alleviate Heat Gain and Loss

When the sun’s heat-producing rays come in through your window, they can cause the interior temperature to jump significantly. In addition, the heat you produce to warm your home in the winter can be lost through window panes. In both cases, you’re constantly fiddling with the thermostat to try to keep your home comfortable, and you’re paying the price when utility bills show up.

Energy efficient window coverings, including shades, blinds, drapes, and shutters, will help to alleviate heat gain and loss to varying degrees, depending on the treatments you choose and the thermal features they possess. Just keep in mind that your energy efficient window treatments only work if they’re closed, so you need to be strategic when it comes to leaving them open.

Control Privacy and Light

You may balk at the thought of choosing energy efficient window treatments simply because you have to keep them closed to gain the greatest use value. After all, you probably want natural light in your home during the day.

The good news is that you can choose energy efficient window coverings that allow you to enjoy natural light and even privacy at the same time. How is this possible? Certain window coverings, like energy efficient shades, are designed to stop the ingress of heat from the sun while offering an unfettered view of the outside, thanks to varying degrees of translucence.

Even better, there are some products that act like two-way mirrors, ensuring you can look out while preventing outsiders from looking in. This means you get the best of all worlds. You’ll enjoy the natural light you crave, maintain privacy in your home, and still get the energy efficient qualities that keep your home comfortable and your energy costs low.

Add to Existing Window Treatments

Despite the undeniable functionality inherent to energy efficient window coverings, you might worry about opportunities to elevate the style of your home with these window treatments. Fear not. There are not only tons of options to meet a wide variety of decorating styles, but you can always pair your energy efficient window coverings with

other shades, blinds, drapes, of shutters to increase styling potential and complement existing décor.

With the help of window design specialists like the pros at The Blinds Side, you can choose the perfect window treatments for your home and increase comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency in the process. Contact the experts at The Blinds Side today at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com to learn more.

5 Important Factors to Consider when Choosing Window Treatments for Your Bedroom

While your home is your castle, your bedroom is your sanctuary, and you want it to be a comfortable and stylish reflection of your personal sensibilities. This not only means choosing bedding and flooring designed to help you create a cozy nest for sleeping, but also choosing accouterments that further your restful goals.

When it comes to selecting window treatments for your bedroom, you might think any blinds or drapes will do. In truth, you need more than style – you need substance if you want to create the perfect space for sleeping and lounging. Here are a few important factors to consider when choosing window treatments for your bedroom.

1. Privacy. Your bedroom is your most private and intimate space. The last thing you want is nosy neighbors or passersby peeking in and catching you dancing around in your skivvies. Privacy is a paramount concern when it comes to window treatments for your bedroom, so you’ll want to avoid options that are too sheer to provide the coverage you crave.

2. Light control. Your bedroom is primarily for sleeping, which means you probably want to keep it as dark as possible to facilitate this activity. Your window treatments can be a big help in this department if you choose the right features.

Look for shades, shutters, blinds, and/or drapes that offer total opacity with blackout features. This will help to keep out the early morning sun that might interrupt your opportunity to sleep in on the weekends, as well as any illumination from street lights or neighboring flood lights during the night.

3. Existing décor. Functionality is generally your first concern when it comes to window treatments, but naturally, you also want décor that complements your existing interior design. This begins with finding the colors and textures that go with your flooring, walls, and furniture, and perhaps elevating your overall style with design extras like pattern, shine, and so on.

4. Depth and dimension. No one ever said you had to limit yourself to a single window treatment. If you’re looking for lush and luxurious window coverings, you should know that you can mix and match window treatments to truly eye-catching effect.

Some window treatments, like blinds and Roman shades, already have some dimension thanks to folds, but if you want to add more depth, consider pairing drapes with your blinds to add volume and juxtapose vertical and horizontal elements. You could also add sheers over shutters to soften the appearance and enhance visual appeal. As a bonus, you’ll gain additional privacy and light control when utilizing multiple window treatments.

5. Other benefits. Window treatments are designed with privacy, light control, and beauty in mind, but many also feature additional benefits for discerning buyers. For example, some window treatments have thermal layers designed to help reduce heat gain and help you control interior temperature, not to mention energy costs. Some treatments offer sound dampening to alleviate noise pollution.

Before you simply purchase the first pair of drapes that catches your eye, make sure to speak with a specialist to find the window treatments that are perfect for your bedroom. The professionals at The Blinds Side are pleased to offer expert advice and installation services when you call 410-630-6940 or contact them at info@theblindsside.com.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Cleaning Your Window Treatments

You put a lot of time and money into adding the right window treatments to your home or office to elevate the style and sophistication of your interior spaces and ensure optimal function, including adjusting lighting and privacy and regulating temperature and noise pollution. It’s only natural to want to keep your window dressings spotless to ensure longevity and an attractive and inviting atmosphere.

However, you can’t necessarily clean drapes, blinds, shades, and shutters the same way you might scrub other surfaces in your home. If you want to properly clean and maintain your window treatments for years to come, you need to avoid common cleaning mistakes. Here are a few that the average homeowner or facilities manager might not think about.

Neglecting Instructions

You wouldn’t tackle an oil change without first going through some online tutorials, would you? Why, then, do you assume you can clean your high-end window treatments without reading cleaning instructions?

While auto repairs are probably a bit more complex than cleaning your blinds or shades, the truth is that window treatments still require attention to detail, starting with knowing what the manufacturer recommends. Keep in mind that manufacturers have run tests and determined the best way to maintain and preserve the pristine appearance of their products and ensure longevity. Following their instructions is key.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Solvents

This is a big problem. It’s extremely common for homeowners to assume that all-in-one products that work on other surfaces are fine for window treatments, but this isn’t the case. Just as you can’t use the same cleaning solvents on ceramic tile and natural stone, you can’t use the same cleansers on shades and shutters as you would on windows, countertops, or carpeting.

The first thing you should know is that mild products are almost always better. Strong chemicals could fade textiles, strip away finishes, and essentially ruin your beautiful window treatments. You can always use spot treatments for tough stains, but generally speaking, gentle cleansers designed for your type of window dressing are best.

Over-Saturating

In many cases, simple dusting and vacuuming are enough to prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, and grime on your window treatments, but occasionally you will need more. Often, all it takes is little more than wiping down window treatments with a damp cloth or sponge, but you have to be careful not to oversaturate as even water can stain textiles or cause warp or rot in wood if you over-saturate.

Leaving Spots

Whenever you see spots or staining on window treatments, it’s best to treat immediately, before the stain has time to set in, if you want the best chance to eliminate it without harming window dressings. If you don’t happen to notice spots until later, don’t assume that regular cleaning will treat them. You’re going to need a spot cleaner specifically designed for the task to treat the spot before you clean the entire surface.

When you’re ready to update the window treatments in your home with new drapes, blinds, shades, or shutters, contact the qualified professionals at The Blinds Side at 410-630-6940 or info@theblindsside.com for consultation, design, and installation services.