Despite constantly emerging technology that should give people more free time, everyone seems busier than ever. A beautiful home is still a top priority for many, so easy upkeep of significant accessories like natural wood or faux window blinds is essential. This maintenance guide makes it simple to keep your blinds lovely and long-lasting with minimal upkeep and answers many FAQs.

FAQs About Natural Wood Blinds Care and Maintenance

As most people expect, natural blinds and shades require a bit more TLC than faux blinds and shades. However, the difference in care is minimal and takes about the same amount as time as faux window blinds.

Can I clean natural wood blinds with water?

Like most wood surfaces, water is not a good choice for cleaning natural wood blinds and shades. Water can dull the finish, compromise its protective ingredients, and possibly create fissures where other cleaners may invade the entire blind and compromise its integrity. Water may also cause discoloration or promote bowing.

Will soap harm my natural wood window blinds?

Gentle soap is OK but nothing with bleach, harsh chemicals, or ammonia is advisable as those cleaners may permanently compromise the finish.

What’s the best cleaning solution for my natural wood blinds and shades?

The most natural and safe way to clean your natural wood blinds is a mixture of 2 tablespoons lemon oil to 1 cup of hot water applied with a soft cloth, no rinsing required. This solution cuts through dust and grime and leaves a natural shine on the wood. Commercial wood cleaners such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, Orange Glo, and similar products are also good for natural wood blinds.

Can I use the same spray cleaner on my natural wood blinds that I use on my wood furniture?

Yes, any dependable cleaners you trust to clean your wood furniture are ideal for cleaning natural window blinds.

How often do I need to dust my natural wood blinds and shades?

If you lightly dust the blinds during your scheduled housecleaning every week or so, they’ll continue to look good. When you deep clean, use the aforementioned liquid options.

Are there any secrets to keep my natural wood blinds and shades looking great for many years?

Use safe cleaning solutions on a regular basis and keep them away from humidifiers or any machines that emit mists.

FAQs About Faux Wood Blinds and Shades Care and Maintenance

Although faux window blinds aren’t as delicate as natural blinds and shades, they still require tender care and regular maintenance to retain their beauty over the years.

What’s the best general maintenance regime for faux wood blinds?

Every time you perform your scheduled housekeeping, dust your blinds with a micro fiber dusting tool, feather duster, or soft cloth. When you do deeper cleaning, clean each slat with a gentle spray cleaner and wipe off with a sponge, paper towel or cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners or dry cleansers as they may scratch the surface and ruin the finish or color.

Can I clean faux wood window blinds with water?

Faux wood blinds can safely be cleaned with water or a non-abrasive spray cleaner combined with a sponge or clean cloth. This method will also remove spots or stains. Always dry the blinds to prevent water spots from dulling the faux wood grain finish.

What’s the best cleaning solution for faux wood blinds and shades?

The best and easiest cleaning solution is equal parts of water and vinegar. It cuts through dirt and grime without leaving a dust-attracting film on the blinds. Be sure to wipe the blinds with a dry, clean cloth to avoid a lingering vinegar odor.

Is it safe to use spray furniture polish on my faux wood blinds and shades?

Any type of furniture polish is bad for cleaning faux blinds and shades. The wax in the solution attracts dust and makes smudge marks highly visible.

Are faux wood blinds a good choice for my bathroom and kitchen?

Because they aren’t prone to bowing or warping from moisture, faux wood blinds and shades are an excellent choice for bathroom and kitchen windows, as long as they don’t receive excessive sun exposure that may cause fading and, in the case of darkly colored blinds, warping.

What tools are best to clean faux wood blinds and shades?

Use the long vacuum cleaner tool with the brush on the end to reach high blinds and valances. Long-handled micro fiber tools and feather dusters also work well.

The Differences Between Natural Wood and Faux Wood Blinds

From a short distance, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between natural wood blinds and faux wood blinds. They both add a touch of class to any room and add cohesiveness to the entire room. Just in case someone asks, here’s a comparison that’s easy to understand and helps clear up why people choose one or the other.

Natural Wood Blinds

This variety of blinds is all natural, so it has all the features that draw people to wood furniture and hardwood floors. Natural wood imparts a unique warmth to any surroundings, the grain alone creating a feeling of being close to nature. The earthiness and texture of natural wood blinds adds an air of refinement to the room.

Artisans and manufacturers carefully choose the wood for natural wood blinds to guarantee consistent beauty, durability and unique detail. The majority of natural wood blind producers use North American sustainable hardwoods such as Basswood, Beech, Black Walnut, Cherry, Hard Maple, Hickory, Red Alder and Red Elm, among others. These lightweight wood varieties not only add beauty to a home, they also provide outstanding insulation against cold and heat, exemplary privacy, and protection against the harmful rays of sunshine that can mar artwork and furniture. You can also match the stain on natural wood blinds to coordinate with floors, furniture or wall trim and have it sized for oversized windows or windows with non-traditional dimensions.

Faux Wood Blinds

Faux is the French word for false, so faux wood blinds simply means the material used is not wood. However, the quality of most faux wood blinds is so high that it’s hard to tell the difference, especially at arm’s length or more.

Faux wood blinds generally fall into two categories: composite wood materials or PVC/vinyl. Composite wood blinds have a wood core encased in a combination of PVC, polystyrene, and other first-rate elements to add strength to the blinds. In most instances, composite wood blinds don’t warp. Some blinds in this category darkened with certain dyes have warped when exposed to intense heat or sunlight, a flaw largely blamed on the darker hue absorbing excessive heat. Lighter colored blinds in this category have shown no signs of warping.

PVC/Vinyl Faux Wood Blinds

PVC/vinyl blinds are nearly indestructible. Many people first encountered PVC in the 1970s when it largely replaced metal materials for plumbing. PVC is an ideal material for faux wood blinds based on its superb strength, light weight, economical price, and fire resistance. The only drawback to PVC faux wood blinds is its tendency to soften and ultimately warp when exposed to temperatures higher than 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius).  Only a limited number of US cities regularly experience such high temperatures, so they perform flawlessly in most areas of the country. They are still a good choice based on their ability to withstand extremely humid climates, their “natural” appearance, and their affordability.

Blinds Replacement

Many people replace their blinds when they do a major home renovation or just become bored with blinds they chose years before. More practical reasons for blinds replacement include:

• Decomposing, stretched, frayed or otherwise damaged cords that interfere with raising, lowering and slat adjustments
• Warped blinds that look unattractive and compromise privacy by creating gaps in the window coverage
• The color scheme or decorating theme of a room no longer matches the blinds.

Being busy doesn’t mean you don’t care about keeping your home tidy and inviting. These guidelines make it easy to keep your blinds in great shape with minimal time and energy.