A few unexpected tools will keep your cellular shades good as new
Cellular shades are a type of window treatment that’s designed in a unique way to keep your home insulated and energy costs down. They’re also known as honeycomb shades because of their interesting, honeycomb-shaped structure, which is pleasing to the eye but a bit more difficult to maintain than standard window coverings.
But with the right tricks, and a couple surprising tools, you can easily clean your cellular shades without messing up their distinctive form.
Difficulty: 2/5
Time: 1 to 2 hours
Tools and materials needed:
Feather duster
Vacuum
Microfiber cloth
Compressed air can
Drop cloth or newspaper
Mild detergent
1. Use a Can of Compressed Air to Clear the Cell Interior
Dead bugs, dust, and even animal dander have a tendency to get caught in small, hard-to-reach spots like the inside of your cellular shades. Luckily, cleaning the cell interior is easy to do with the compressed air can you normally use to clean your keyboard.
Lay a drop cloth or unfold a newspaper underneath your cellular shades to catch debris as it falls. Then, working one by one, spray air into the opening of each cell. You may need to do this from both ends to ensure you’ve completely cleared the inside of each cell.
2. Vacuum to Remove Dust From the Cell Exterior
Once you’ve removed all debris from the cell interiors, you can move on to the exterior. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to gently suck up any dust that’s collected on the outside and corners of your cellular shades. If that’s not enough to get everything off, use a microfiber cloth to remove anything that remains.
3. Maintain the Structure With the Right Wiping Technique
As you vacuum or use a microfiber cloth to wipe the exterior of your cellular shades, you may begin to notice they’re losing their structure. To prevent this from happening, take extra care to wipe in only one direction as you go, rather than back and forth. Aggressive scrubbing can shake the window covering out of shape, so remember to be as gentle as possible.
4. Wipe Away Stains With a Damp Cloth and Mild Detergent
Honeycomb shades are also highly sensitive to moisture, and can stain or wrinkle permanently from too much contact with water. For spot-cleanings, use a cloth dampened with warm water and a couple drops of a mild detergent (like dish soap) to softly scrub away stains. Wring out your cloth before using it to ensure it won’t soak your shades.
5. Use a Blow Dryer to Dry Your Cellular Shades Quickly
Dry wet spots as quickly as possible to avoid permanent staining or damage to the structural integrity of your cellular shades. Use a blow dryer on a low heat to speed up the process and ensure your newly cleaned blinds look as good as they did on day one.
6. Tidy Weekly With a Feather Duster to Prolong Deep Cleaning Sessions
Dusting your blinds on a weekly basis will greatly reduce the need for a deep cleaning session. Simply use a feather duster to lightly wipe each cell in one direction. This chore will add just five minutes to your usual cleaning routine and save you a big headache in the long run.
Cost to DIY Cleaning Cellular Shades vs. Hiring a Pro
Cleaning cellular shades on your own can cost as little as $10, depending on how many of the necessary cleaning materials you already have. Hiring a local blind cleaner will save you time on this chore and eliminate the need to stock up on supplies, but you’ll pay more as a result.
On average, curtain and blind cleaning ranges between $140 and $350 and depends on the type of and how many window treatments you have. For example, a pro may charge more to clean cellular shades because of their delicate material and design.
