How to clean sheer curtains.

Discover how to keep your sheer curtains looking great all year round.

Are you considering sheer curtains in your home but aren’t sure how to keep them clean? Don’t worry — iSeekBlinds have got you covered. We stock a wide range of curtains styles and fabrics to suit every style of room and home.

There are so many benefits to sheer curtains — not least of all how attractive they are in a room. It stands to reason then, that you would want to keep your sheer curtains looking as good as possible for as long as possible.

In this short article, we are going to look into how to keep your sheer curtains clean and give you some handy tips on how to prolong the life of your curtains. So read on for useful information on how to keep your sheer curtains looking their best.

Looking for top-quality sheer curtains for your home at a low price? We stock a great range of curtains and offer an affordable solution with our DIY curtain installation solution. Simply choose the curtains you want and we will manufacture them and then deliver them to your door.

Before we get started…

It is important to be aware of a few things before you get started with cleaning your sheer curtains:

• What fabric are your curtains made of? 
  This is important because it will depend on the method you use to wash them – and will dictate whether you can machine wash your curtains or whether you should hand wash them. At iSeekBlinds, we make sheer curtains from both polyester and blends, and we provide online instructions on how to clean and maintain your curtains when you buy with us.
• When was the last time you washed your curtains or cleaned them?
  This is important because some sheer fabrics, when exposed to the sun for long periods of time, may begin to deteriorate. If your curtains have not been washed or cleaned for a while they may be quite fragile, and you may have to take extra care.

How to keep your sheer curtains clean

Now that you know what you’re working with you can get started with the cleaning.

Step 1: Vacuum your curtains gently

The first step you want to take is to get the vacuum and place your brush attachment on if you have one. If not, just use the vacuum head and set your vacuum to the lowest setting possible. Vacuum your curtains very gently from top to bottom to get rid of any lingering dust. This step will make it a cleaner task when you get your curtains down as well.

Step 2: Get ready to wash

Once you have given your sheer curtains a good vacuum, you will need to give them a wash. If you have a delicate fabric such as linen or silk blends, then you will be spot-cleaning and/or hand-washing your curtains. If you have a more durable sheer curtain made out of polyester then you may be able to machine wash on the gentle setting.

Spot cleaning sheer curtains:

• Treat spills and stains as soon as possible.
• Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric.
• Never use abrasive products or solvents/industrial-based cleaners.
• If commercial spot cleaners are used, they must first be tested and allowed to dry on an inconspicuous area to ensure compatibility.

Hand washing sheer curtains:

• Fill your laundry tub or a bucket with slightly warm water and add some Napisan or soaking agent.
• Dissolve the product in the water and then add in your curtains.
• Agitate the curtains in the water and do not soak them for very long. Five to ten minutes is plenty of time for the water to get the ingrained dirt out. Maybe you can use this time to clean your windows!
• Once your curtains are soaked, pull them out and gently squeeze out excess water before putting them into clean rinsing water. Swish your curtains around to get the soap out and then rinse them. Wring your curtains out gently.
• Put a large towel out on a flat surface and place your curtain on the towel, rolling the towel up with the curtain inside. Let sit for a minute or so to absorb most of the water.
• Unroll your curtains and shake any excess water out either outside or in a shower recess. Your curtains should be mostly dry, but if they are not, repeat the rolling and shaking process.
• Hang your sheer curtains up while they are still slightly damp and they will dry into a nice shape.

Machine washing sheer curtains:

• • Place your sheer curtains into your washing machine so the machine is half full.Dissolve detergent prior to washing.Set your machine to gentle wash at no more than 60 degrees, with a gentle spin cycle. If your curtains are particularly dirty, ensure you give your curtains an extra ten minutes of soaking time.Use at least three rinse cycles and each rinse temperature should be 10-12 degrees below the previous process.Once your curtains are washed, you can roll them in a dry towel to get any extra water out, and then hang them when they are still slightly damp.

Benefits of washing your sheer curtains.

You should wash your sheer curtains on a semi-regular basis – even if they do not look dirty to the eye – as by the time you do see the appearance of dirt your curtains may be discoloured!

When you wash your sheer curtains regularly, you will ensure that you continue to have clean and fresh curtains that do not harbour dirt and dust in your home.

Regular cleaning of your sheer curtains will ensure that they remain in good condition for longer, which means your investment will last longer.

Ready to get sheer curtains for your home? Contact iSeekBlinds today and find out how easy it is to DIY install your custom-made sheer curtains. Get your quick quote today or contact us to find out more about our range and services.

What next?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best.

So, if you’ve got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

Tips and tricks for cleaning your indoor blinds.

If you have chosen the sleek, clean lines of roller blinds for your home — you’ve made a great choice! Roller blinds look great in every room, adding a minimalist and modern feel to your space.

But how do you keep your roller blinds looking clean? While these durable blinds are suited to high-traffic areas and are extremely low-maintenance, over time some stains or dirt patches may start to appear.

Depending on the type of stain and the material of your blinds, there are different methods of cleaning them. Here are a few of our tried and tested ways for maintaining and restoring the cleanliness of roller blinds. That way, you can continue to enjoy their blind-ing beauty.

Why should you clean your roller blinds?

Roller blinds are a highly appealing and functional form of window covering. As they are often used in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, they can become dirty after a while. Keeping them clean will maintain their lustre and have them working as they should. Thankfully, roller blinds are extremely easy to care for, and only require a spot clean for most marks and stains.

How to clean roller blinds.

When it comes to cleaning roller blinds, you have to be mindful of the type of fabric you’re working with, along with the severity of the stain. Most roller blinds can be cleaned easily with a duster or vacuum. Sometimes, however,  hard-to-remove stains such as dirt, makeup, bugs, and mould can leave a lasting mark that requires further attention.

Most manufacturers warn against using strong detergents and solvents, or scrubbing your blinds because it can damage the coating of the fabric, crease it or disfigure it altogether. Generally, a hand clean with a warm, damp cloth, is all that’s needed to keep roller blinds blemish-free. 

Whether you just want to do a quick touch-up or a deeper clean of your blinds, the following methods should prove effective in keeping them looking brand new.

1. Use a cloth or vacuum

For most light stains, dust, or hand marks, using a duster or soft lint-free cloth, or the dusting brush nozzle of your vacuum cleaner will do the trick. A white eraser can often be effective for removing hand marks too! Just remember to do it gently. 

Roller blinds that are coated or have a glossy surface, may also tolerate a damp cloth or sponge without any risk of discolouration. Using warm water with mild laundry detergent, spot-test an inconspicuous part first – and if it’s safe, simply dip your cloth or sponge and ring it out, before gently buffing away at the stain. Wait to let the blind dry completely before rolling it back up, as you may run the risk of mould developing if it remains damp. You can always use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting to speed up the drying process.

For dust build-up, simply use a vacuum with the upholstery attachment. With blinds fully extended, hold the end taught toward you as you work the vacuum nozzle from bottom to top.

It’s recommended to vacuum your roller blinds at least once a month to keep them free of dust and dirt build-up.

2. Deep cleaning for stain removal

To remove tough stains from your roller blinds, a more invasive method of cleaning may be required—however, we do recommend the use of warm-soapy water rather than any commercial chemicals.

Depending on the stain and the fabric of your blinds, you may attempt spot-treating using a stain remover. Following the directions as outlined on the stain removal product, spot test first – then apply to the blemish and gently scrub using an old toothbrush.

You can then follow with a cloth soaked in warm soapy water and apply as needed.

If you are unsure what material your blinds are made of, or what type of stain remover can be used, contact your blind’s manufacturer and follow their instructions for safe stain removal.

3. Removing mould from roller blinds

Mould on blinds is common, particularly if they are suspended over a drafty window susceptible to condensation or within a damp or humid environment. Sometimes mould can appear if a window was accidentally left open during a rainstorm and didn’t have the chance to completely dry.

If you have noticed mould on your blinds, the best course of action is to dismantle them from your window and take them to a dry cleaner for professional removal.

If the mould growth is minor, you can try spot cleaning where necessary by gently scrubbing with a toothbrush. Once cleaned, hang on a drying rack to fully air dry before re-assembling.

There are also commercial mould removers available that you can use to treat mould and mildew on your blinds. Always read the label to ensure it’s safe to use on roller blinds or fabrics before using.

What next?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best.

So, if you’ve got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

A how-to guide for cleaning common curtain types.

Taken the plunge and invested in some new curtains? Considering buying some new curtains and wondering what kind of curtains are the easiest to keep clean? Curtains are a huge part of the look and feel of your home, and even though they are not an item you might think requires regular cleaning, treating them well and giving them some TLC, will keep them looking fresh and beautiful for many years to come. 

In this handy guide, we are going to go into the finer points of how to clean your curtains, and then provide you with some advice on what styles of curtains will work best for your home.

Looking for high-quality curtains? Curtains from iSeekBlinds are your first choice for premium Australian-made curtains. Contact our friendly team today to discuss your options or to ask questions. 

Cleaning your blackout curtains.

Blackout curtains are an obvious choice for many homeowners who want to enjoy privacy and a reduction in sunlight, without compromising on the style and aesthetic appeal of a high-quality curtain. Blackout, or blockout, curtains are named because they eliminate sunlight from a room by the nature of their construction.

Many blackout curtains are made from thick fabric and have a durable acrylic coating on the back to achieve maximum insulation. Some blackout curtains are not able to be machine washed, and so require hand washing instead. 

Cleaning blackout curtains requires a gentle approach:

• Get a gentle fabric cleaning solution or some diluted sugar soap. Soak a foam sponge in the mixture and then wring it out well.
• You can either spot clean or give your curtains a full going-over if you prefer.
• For a full clean, start from the top of each curtain, wiping the front and back of the curtains, ensuring you focus on any areas where the curtains touch the floor as these spots will be particularly dirty.
• Keep the bucket of cleaning solution fresh by changing it whenever it looks dirty. You don’t want to undo all of your hard work by smearing dirt onto your clean curtains!
• Depending on what type of curtain fabric you have, you may be able to pop your curtains in the wash — ensuring they are on a very gentle setting and low temperature.
• Speak to one of our friendly team about washing your blackout curtains to find out what will work best for you.

Cleaning your sheer curtains.

Sheer curtains add style, elegance, and aesthetic appeal to any living space or formal area. A sheer curtain is not going to add a whole lot of privacy, but what it lacks in privacy it makes up for in appeal. Sheers are a great addition to an existing blockout curtain where you want to provide daytime privacy without blocking out a view or sunlight. Many people choose to put sheer curtains on the second level of their home facing out to a view, or to their backyard. You may also want to combine a sheer curtain with a blind or other more private option. That way, you can enjoy a sheer curtain when you want one but also benefit from more seclusion when you need it. 

Cleaning your sheer curtains is a fairly straightforward task, provided you are able to machine wash them on a delicate setting. Otherwise, a spot clean or hand wash is a safer, more gentle option. 

Here are our top tips: 

• Hand washing is the safest option for sheers, as the fabrics are often quite delicate. 
• If machine washing your sheer curtains, opt for a cool or cold wash and use the most gentle setting possible.
• Do not leave your curtains too long between washes. Dirt and dust will build up on the fabric and the natural oils present in the dirt will begin to break down the delicate fabric.
• Set yourself a reminder on a calendar or make a note to wash curtains once every four-to-six months. That way your sheer curtains always look their best.
• Do not tumble dry your sheer curtains — use a flat or line drying method and ensure you take your curtains out of the machine as soon as they are done.

Cleaning your curtain tracks.

Cleaning curtain tracks is commonly known as the bane of any cleaner’s existence. These pesky grooves often accumulate a range of dust and debris and it is difficult to get the right tool to clean your curtain tracks. We have a range of suggestions:

• Buy some large pipe cleaners from your local fabric store and bend these into the shape of your curtain tracks to really get a good clean.
• Make up a mixture of diluted gentle detergent and dip the pipe cleaner into the solution to dislodge any stubborn dirt.
• Use a dry pipe cleaner to go over the curtain tracks again to ensure you haven’t missed any areas.
• Again, as with any other cleaning job, it is important to stay on top of cleaning your curtain tracks. That way you won’t find yourself with a far bigger job than you can tackle

How to clean different curtain fabrics

Curtains made from a durable fabric are going to prove easiest to clean and will last the longest – but provided that you take care of sheer curtains well, they are going to provide you with years of enjoyment.

There are so many different curtain fabrics out there; the best way to know what works for you is to speak to someone in our team today about what kind of curtains you need and then go from there.

What next?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best.

So, if you’ve got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

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