Cleaning Tips for Mini Blinds

Mini blinds are attractive and convenient to use. The only disadvantage is that they are not easy to clean. Cleaning tips for mini blinds begin with delicate handling instead of strength.

1. Vacuum the blinds while they are hanging on the window. This helps to remove excess dust. Use a micro material that collects dust if you don’t want to vacuum them.
2. Take the blinds down from the window and put them outside or in a bathroom for a washing.
3. Use a liquid washing compound, hose, clothesline, bucket and sponge. A good solution for a gallon of water is one part water, one part ammonia. Test the cleanser on a section of the blinds so you know it won’t harm the finish.
4. Gently apply the mixture and allow to stand for five minutes. Hose them off and wipe with a soft cloth. Hand them on the clothesline to dry.
5. After re-hanging the blinds, wipe them with an anti-static dryer sheet to prevent dust building up.
6. If the blinds are heavily caked with greasy material from hanging in a kitchen, consider steaming them. Vinyl blinds may warp or melt so make sure your blinds can stand-up to the heat.
7. If the blinds are wood, washing is not recommended. The wood may warp or discolor the slats.

Proper care and cleaning of your mini blinds will ensure they look beautiful for many years.

How to Install Horizonal Blinds

Installing blinds on your own can be a fairly simple process if you follow the proper procedures and use the right tools. For blind installation you will need a drill, ¼” hex drill bit, scissors, a pencil and a metal measuring tape.

First unwrap your blinds and make sure you have all of the parts. Each blind should include end brackets, screws, a valance and valance clips; some may also have a center bracket for more support if they are a larger size.

Now, leaving your cord wrapped around your blinds hold them up to the window to determine placement. For inside and outside mounted blinds your headrail must be level to ensure proper placement. Once you have them level use your pencil to mark the location of the brackets. When mounting brackets for an inside mount you must make sure your brackets are level and flush with your window frame. Outside mount brackets should be positioned with the blinds open to determine the center of your window frame and the length of the blinds. Drilling a hole with your drill bit and using two screws per bracket to secure them in place can install the brackets. It is extremely important to make sure your brackets are straight and level.

Next, you should install your valance clips. It is important to put on your valance clips before your hang your blinds; otherwise you will have to remove the blinds to insert valance clips. Attach valance clips to the face of the headrail and spread them evenly across the headrail to secure it in place.

After your valance clips are in place it is time to hang your blinds. Release all cords on the blinds and open your bracket doors, then slide the headrail into the mounting bracket and close the bracket latches until they snap into place. Once your blinds are level and in place, then install your valance. The valance should be placed in the desired position on the headrail by putting the top part in the top of the valance clip. Now lightly push down and it should snap into place. After installing your valance your blinds should be hung and ready to use. If you find your cord is too long your can shorten it by simple sliding the tassel up exposing the knot and cutting it off to the desired length then retying a knot in your cord and sliding the tassel back down into place.

What You See May Not Be What You Get

Typically, buying blinds and window coverings online is going to get you the lowest price, but if you do not see the blinds before you purchase them you run the risk of getting the wrong size, color or a cheap quality window covering. Discount window blinds and cheap window treatments are available at many online retailers. The first step to buying a quality discount window covering online is to look for name brand products and blinds with full manufacturer warranties. This will guarantee that you are getting a quality window covering from a reputable dealer. Before ordering your blinds or shades make sure you get detailed instructions about how to measure for your blinds. Then, ask if they offer color samples so you can see exactly what you are getting and make sure it matches your color scheme. The color on your computer screen may not be the exact color you are going to receive. You may have to consider matching a color shade something that will fit into the same color family in case you cannot get a perfect match.

An Inexpensive Window Makeover

Window coverings can make or break the mood of your room. Your window treatments should match the room décor and create a warm, harmonious atmosphere. If your windows need a makeover start in one area of your house and slowly make your way from room to room. You should make a plan for the entire house so you can match the patterns and design throughout your home. Discount window coverings are a great option for a window makeover. Certain types of window treatments serve different purposes. Keep in mind you want to make small window look larger and oversized windows should be scaled down a bit. In order to achieve a larger look for a small window you can use a heading such as a valance or cornice above the window and hang drapes or verticals of a similar length. Large windows can be treated with a series of drapes or blinds to make them appear smaller. You can also break up a large window by hanging curtains or blinds on the lower half of the window leaving the top untreated. Cheap window blinds and cheap curtains can be found at almost any window treatment retailer. Some companies will sell odd sizes or returns at low cost because they are hard to sell otherwise. Cheap window treatments are not hard to find if you know where to look.

Roller Shades: When You Want to Choose a Classic

Homeowners can now update and modernize their homes with motorized roller shades. With no more effort than the press of a button, these window shades can be flawlessly raised or drawn over any size window. This style of window treatment is an especially valuable option for ‘hard to reach’ windows.

Those on a budget will find roller shades a good choice for the value and improved roller mechanisms make for a flawless and easy operation. Now widely available in not only vinyl but fabrics of various colors and patterns ranging from traditional to modern, homeowners choose this option when looking to give their home a uniform and wonderfully timeless ambience. Light filtering fabrics provide a level of privacy without completely losing natural light, while heavier fabrics block out light, heat and buffer noise.

Cellular Blinds are Constructed for Energy Efficiency

There are many blinds and shades on the market, but none is more energy efficient than the cellular blind. Honeycomb or cellular blinds have layers joined at the pleats to form compartments that trap air, providing insulation. It is because of this unique cellular construction that these shades provide the greatest insulation and energy efficiency. The cellular blind of today is soft to the touch, just like fabric. The older, less expensive shades had a paper feel and were quite thin and stiff. The color options are many and they are easily combined with fabric valances for just the right decorating look. Be sure that the shade you have chosen is white on the outside because this looks better from the street and provides a uniform appearance. More considerations before your blind purchase include:

1. soft neutral colors make rooms appear larger
2. brighter colors seem bolder in larger rooms
3. matching the color of blind to the paint on the wall provides a decorating look
4. blinds that lower from the top provide privacy and let in light
5. insulated cellular blinds provide warmth in a window facing North
6. consider motorized devices for opening and closing blinds on large windows or windows over a bathtub
   
   

Faux Wood vs. Real Wood

Wood shades have become a popular choice for window coverings. They have been dubbed more prestigious than aluminum or vinyl shades and they tend to look “the part.” Wooden shades can add appeal to almost any window.

There are several types of styles to choose from when it comes to wood blinds. Two main categories for wooden shades are faux wood and real wood. Both types of blinds have advantages and disadvantages.

Faux wood is less expensive to purchase. It is durable, moisture resistant and easy to clean. These types of blinds may be a good choice for a kitchen, bathroom or child’s room because of their durability and versatility. Faux wood tends to be heavier than real wood so they are not as easy to move up and down.

Real wood blinds are affordable and can be stained in almost any color to match the room décor. They are excellent for blocking incoming light. Real wood blinds are lighter than faux wood and easier to lower and rise. Wooden shades are harder to clean and may not be as durable as faux wood.

Blackout Shades & Blinds For The Bedroom

Window treatments in your home can be selected to match your lifestyle. The bedroom is one of the most important rooms to “dress” with the proper type of blinds. If you are a morning person and like to awake in light filled room then you may want to consider blinds that allow some light into your bedroom. Natural light can be a welcoming wake-up call in the morning. You can also opt for a remote control or timer on your blinds so they open in the morning to let the sun in your room. The light filtering or semi opaque shades allow for some outside light to enter the room (even when they are closed) to create soft glow and a warm atmosphere. These blinds and shades are the perfect choice for people who love to wake up to natural light and do not like their room totally dark.

For those who like to sleep in complete darkness and prefer to wake up to a traditional alarm clock then blackout blinds may be the best choice. These blinds block out all light and keep the room in complete darkness until you decide you would like to “let the light in”. Room darkening shades are a good choice to people who have to sleep during the day or those who do not like to sleep with light trickling into their bedroom.

Whether you choose a light filtering window blind or a blackout blind your window treatments in your bedroom should represent your personal preference and style.

Roller Shades: How to Get Them Up and Rollin’!

Roller window shades are easy to install and do not require any specialized tools, equipment or training. Installing them yourself is a great way to cleave the expense of hiring a professional to install them for you, making them an even better option for those on a budget.

Installing roller shades is a simple task. Before ordering, first decide whether you will give your shades an inside or an outside mount. An inside mount needs to be measured inside the frame at the top of the window. An outside mount needs to account for the area you want the shade to cover. Please note that the shades should overlap the window casing by 1 ½ inches on each side if you are concerned about light control.

Gather a tape measure, pencil (for guide marks), a screwdriver and a level and you have all the necessary tools to complete the task! After installing the window shades, adjustments to the tension spring located in the roller may be necessary. This can be accomplished by rolling or unrolling the shade by hand.

Nighttime During the Daytime

Blackout blinds, or room-darkening blinds, are some of the most common types of shades used to filter sunlight and natural light. These types of blinds eliminate 98-100% of light and are a great alternative to slats or louvers. Many of these types of blinds also block UV rays; be sure to check the item description to make sure the blinds you select have this feature. Blinds that block these harmful rays will help eliminate or reduce fading on carpet, paint and upholstery. You can find the room darkening or blackout blinds in almost any style, shape and color.

Roller shades are a common type of blackout blinds with their heavy fabric and easy operation they can add appeal to almost any room. You can purchase roller shades with light filtering and blackout materials for superior light filtering traits.

Arched Window Treatments That Add Style

The design of an arched window can add beauty and style to a room. Finding a way to cover up this design style with arched window treatments can create a challenge for any homeowner. Most decorators recommend leaving the arched section open and only add window treatments from the around the horizontal and below. If you find there is a need to cover the arched section, it is possible to have something custom-made for this section. To cover an arched window, either curtains or blinds will work. It only depends on the look you are looking to achieve in your room. To provide some privacy or filter light, you might try covering the arched section with a sheer fabric.