Keeping blinds and shutters looking new

By product

Rollers and screens: vacuum with a brush head, then a barely damp cloth with a drop of washing up liquid, working top to bottom. Never soak, never bleach.

Venetians and wooden blinds: a slat duster or a microfibre glove, closed one way then the other. Real timber hates water, faux wood tolerates a damp wipe. Romans: vacuum only, and spot treat rather than washing the whole panel. Shutters: a damp cloth along the louvres and a dry one behind it, twice a year.

• Coastal homes: rinse salt film off frames and hardware more often, especially seafront elevations.
• Kitchens: clean before grease films up, not after, because a set film needs solvents fabric cannot take.
• Condensation: wipe the sill and the bottom bar in winter so moisture does not sit against the hem.
• Never put a made to measure blind fabric in a washing machine.

Mechanisms, not just fabric

Chains, brackets and shutter hinges benefit from an occasional check. A loose bracket is the most common cause of a blind that starts hanging crooked, and it is a two minute fix if caught early.

If something is stiff, do not force it and do not oil it with kitchen oil. Call us. Small parts are usually available quickly and a repair costs a fraction of a replacement.

What the guarantees cover

Our shutters carry a lifetime product guarantee and our installation carries a 5 year warranty. Fair wear from sensible cleaning is expected. Damage from bleach, solvents or steam is not, which is the only reason we labour the point.