A stylish, modern, practical element of the interior is a roller blind. Durable, functional, easy to use, they help create a special atmosphere of coziness and comfort in the room.
The positive properties of fabric roller shutters can only be preserved with proper care.
In this article we will tell you whether and how to wash roller blinds at home in a washing machine and by hand.
Is it possible to put it in the washing machine?
One of the features of fabric roller shutters is the special treatment of the fabric (made of linen, cotton or synthetic fabric). Impregnation with polymer compounds protects the fabric from rapid contamination (the fabric, without accumulating static electricity, repels dust and dirt particles), and also helps maintain the brightness of color and shape.
Frequent washing destroys the protective layer, so caring for roller blinds boils down to wiping the fabric with a damp cloth soaked in a soapy solution about twice a year.
Washing fabric roller shutters is recommended when the fabric has already lost its original appearance and ingrained stains have appeared on it.
Cleaning of roller blinds is carried out only by hand.
Washing in a washing machine will completely damage the product .
Wet cleaning of roller blinds made of bamboo and rice paper is strictly prohibited. For such products, only dry cleaning with a soft cloth is allowed.
General rules for washing curtains can be found here.
Cleaning methods
In addition to washing, there are other ways to clean roller shutters, namely:
- Dry cleaning.
- Wet processing.
- Dry cleaning.
See the manufacturers' recommendations on which method is suitable for your roller blinds.
Dry cleaning
Some types of rolls cannot be washed; they can only be dry cleaned. This can be done in two ways:
- vacuum. Pre-attach a fabric cover to the vacuum cleaner nozzle so that the exciting air flow does not damage the material;
- Wipe the fabric of the roll with a slightly damp, loose cloth or sponge without strong pressure. This cleaning is easy and effective, since the dust lies on the surface of the material due to its impregnation.
It is recommended to carry out dry cleaning once every two weeks, and using a vacuum cleaner once every two to three months is enough.
Wet processing
Wet cleaning of roller shutters is possible if there are no restrictions on washing in the instructions for use.
With this procedure, the rolls remain hanging on the window. Immediately you need to stock up on loose napkins:
- We soak one in a solution with a liquid gentle agent, and gently wipe the surface of the roll.
- Use a second clean, damp cloth to remove soap traces.
- Third, we absorb all the moisture.
Wet treatment is recommended once every six months.
On the Internet you can find harmful advice - to clean roller blinds with steam. This is absolutely not allowed! Hot, humid air changes the properties of the fabric and disrupts the polymer protective impregnation.
Dry cleaning
There are types of roller blinds that require dry cleaning only. Also, if you don’t want to wash or clean the rolls yourself or are simply afraid of ruining the curtains, then take them to the dry cleaner. Our specialists will thoroughly clean the curtains, remove stains and return the roller blinds to their original appearance.
This is a qualified cleaning method, but quite expensive.
Trust dry cleaning of roller shutters only to well-established organizations.
How to properly clean at home?
In order for fabric roller shutters to retain their original appearance after washing, you must strictly adhere to certain rules.
Dismantling
Depending on the design of fabric roller shutters, there are several dismantling methods .
If the curtain is fixed on a spring bracket, first remove the plugs on both sides of the mechanism, remove the screws, and move the curtain rod to the side.
After such manipulations, the canvas is easily removed from the pipe.
If the roller shutter fastening is fixed with adhesive tape, then the cornice is removed along with the tape (carefully pry it off from the bottom with a knife blade). After dismantling, traces of the adhesive tape can be easily removed with alcohol.
Before you start washing, the dismantled roller blind fabric is carefully inspected for complex, old stains. Such contaminants must be removed before the main wash begins. Otherwise, the stains will eat into the fabric and only dry cleaning specialists can get rid of them.
Choosing a detergent
Roller blinds can be washed with laundry soap, liquid detergent or washing powder. In order for the laundry soap to dissolve in water faster, it is first rubbed on a coarse grater.
When using washing powder, it is important to ensure that the grains dissolve completely in the water. Otherwise, scratches and stains may remain on the surface of the canvas.
It is also necessary to carefully study the composition of the washing powder . For roller blinds, the use of powder with a bleaching effect is not recommended. You should also avoid hand washing powders (they are very difficult to rinse out).
The best option for washing fabric roller shutters is liquid gels. They have a gentle effect on the fabric, preserving its structure and color. It is prohibited to wash roller blinds with chlorine-containing products.
In addition to choosing the type of detergent, the concentration of the soap solution (no more than 2-3%) is important for washing fabric roller shutters. A concentrated, saturated soap solution can cause streaks, changes in color and thickness of the fabric impregnation.
Proper washing
Algorithm of actions:
Carefully lower the roller blind fabric into a bathtub with warm water and diluted detergent and rub it with a soft sponge on both sides with gentle movements, without pressure.- The already washed part of the roller shutter is carefully rolled up.
- The clean curtain is thoroughly rinsed with water (we use a shower). You can also use another rinsing method: take a full bath of clean warm water, in which you rinse (intensively raising and lowering) the roller blind.
It is necessary to rinse the roller shutters until water without soap begins to drain from the canvas. Otherwise, whitish streaks may appear on the curtains after drying.
Video instructions on how to clean and wash roller blinds so as not to spoil them:
Removing the Uni Cassette with Spring Mechanism
Actions:
- Turn the lock by the handle to a vertical position. Raise the curtain.
- With the blade of a stationery knife extended 3 cm, trim the adhesive layer at both ends of the cassette.
- Separate the cassette from the frame or sash.
- Remove the lower plugs of the aluminum guides.
- Using the blade of a utility knife, trim the adhesive layer that holds the guides on the frame or sash beads.
- Remove the guides.
- Use alcohol or lighter gasoline to remove traces of tape from the window.
How to wash without removing?
You can quickly clean roller blinds without removing the fabric. There are several ways to carry out such a reading.
We use a washing vacuum cleaner:
open the roller blind and remove dust from the canvas with a soft, dry cloth;- We install a special brush attachment on the pipe of the washing vacuum cleaner for cleaning fabrics or smooth surfaces;
- Using gentle movements, from top to bottom, we treat the roller shutter canvas with detergent, supplied through the brush of a washing vacuum cleaner;
- three minutes after treatment, carefully collect dirt particles.
We use wet wipes:
- roller blinds are deployed to the maximum;
- a microfiber cloth or a piece of soft natural fabric is moistened with water;
- Using gentle movements, without pressing, we wipe the fabric roller shutters;
- Leave the curtain open until completely dry.
Do not use a steam cleaner to clean roller blinds. A jet of hot air can damage the protective coating of the canvas.
Removing the cassette with a spring mechanism located on the bottom bar of the sash or window frame
Actions:
- Turn the curtain lock away from you by the handle and lower the curtain fabric down.
- Place your fingers on the top of the cassette casing, resting your thumbs on the bottom of the cassette. Turn the upper part of the casing towards you, removing the cassette from the adapter. Remove the remaining part of the blade with the lock from the guides.
- Trim the adhesive seam with the tip of a knife from the left or right end of the adapter. Pull the knife blade out of the body by 4 - 5 cm. Place the blade behind the adapter strip and cut the glue along its entire length with cutting movements up and down. Remove the adapter from the window.
- Remove the guides glued to the tape
- Use alcohol or lighter gasoline to remove traces of tape from the window.
Dry cleaning
Delicate dry cleaning will help preserve the original appearance of fabric roller shutters for as long as possible.
Dry cleaning can be done in several ways:
We use damp soft wipes .
It’s all very simple: roll the roller shutters to their full length and wipe them with a damp soft cloth using gentle movements, from top to bottom. This type of cleaning can be done once a week.- We use a vacuum cleaner . You can quickly clean the roller shutters from dust if you carefully walk over the unfolded sheet with a vacuum cleaner.
To avoid damaging the curtain, put a special attachment (a fabric bag) on the vacuum cleaner brush. The suction power of the vacuum cleaner is set to minimum. Dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner is enough to carry out once or twice a month .
You should not clean roller blinds with rough cloth napkins. Otherwise, the integrity of the protective layer is compromised.
The main thing: rules of care
Caring for roller blinds is easy. The main thing is to know and follow simple rules that will help preserve the appearance of the canvas longer.
- Regularly clean the curtains from dust using a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner.
- Try not to wet-clean curtains more than once every 4-6 months.
- Refuse strong chemical cleaners in favor of gentle products: a solution of laundry soap, dishwashing detergent or a special gel.
- Do not iron roller blinds. Impregnation of the fabric makes the material durable, but unstable to high temperatures. Using a hot device will only damage the fabric, and you still won’t be able to smooth out the creases - this fabric is less elastic than regular fabric.
- Do not dry curtains vertically and do not use clothespins or clothespins to avoid deforming the fabric.
How to dry?
In order for the roller blind to retain its original appearance after washing, it must be dried properly.
Basic drying rules:
- Dry fabric roller shutters only in a horizontal position. It is forbidden to hang the canvas on a rope (creases will form), fix it by the plastic tip, squeeze or twist it.
- Dry roller blinds only in a straightened form, away from heat sources (radiators, gas heaters, air heaters). Ignoring this rule may cause deformation and discoloration of the canvas.
The correct method of drying: after washing, wait a while for the water to drain, then lay the curtain on a horizontal surface until it dries completely.
You can speed up the drying process if you periodically blot the fabric with soft cloth napkins.
It is strictly forbidden to dry roller blinds in a curled form. Ignoring this rule may result in an unpleasant musty odor.
What to do with difficult stains?
The following tips will help you quickly remove stains:
Fresh stains can be easily removed with an ordinary school eraser. It is enough to wipe the stain gently, without pressing, and not a trace will remain of it.- Grease stains can be removed using laundry soap. It is enough to rub the stain with soap, leave the curtain for ten minutes, and then rinse the stain with clean water until the soap stains disappear.
- Salt or starch will help remove vegetable oil stains. It is enough to fill the stain and leave it for twenty minutes. Afterwards the fabric is wiped with a damp sponge.
- If there is chewing gum stuck to the roller blind, ice will help remove it. It is enough to put a few ice cubes on the gum or place the roller shutters in the freezer for a few minutes. The frozen chewing gum will easily separate from the canvas.
- Liquid dish detergent will help remove stains from dirty hands. Simply moisten the sponge with soapy water and wipe the stain. Remains of detergent are removed with a damp cloth.
- Special stain removers for roller blinds (do not contain aggressive chemicals or chlorine) will help remove stubborn stains.
Before you begin removing stains from roller shutters, the selected product must be tested on an inconspicuous, small area of the fabric.
It is strictly forbidden to remove stains with aggressive chemicals: gasoline, acetone, solvents, chlorine-containing compounds.
Tips and prohibitions
You should not wash roller blinds often. Dry scrubbing or gentle wet cleaning will help keep your roller shutters clean, extending their service life.
What not to do with roller blinds:
wash in an automatic machine (machine washing will completely ruin the fabric);- dry hanging on a rope (to avoid deformation, the canvas is laid out only on a horizontal surface);
- iron with a hot iron (you can only iron through a special mesh at the minimum temperature);
- use powders with coarse abrasive particles for cleaning;
- use aggressive chemicals (gasoline, acetone, solvents) to remove stains.
Can roller blinds be washed?
Roller blinds for windows can be made from natural and artificial materials. Most often when creating them they use:
- linen, cotton and satin;
- polyester;
- polyvinyl chloride and fiberglass.
Roller blinds made from pure natural materials are rarely found. Typically, linen and cotton are blended with polyester to enhance the durability and reflective properties of curtains. The top of the fabric is coated with a special impregnation with an antistatic and dirt-repellent effect.
Roller curtains must be washed very carefully, without damaging the special impregnation or deforming the fabric.
You can wash fabric roller blinds at home; if you follow the rules, the products can safely withstand contact with water and mild detergents. But curtains are very sensitive to excessive wetness and mechanical stress; they can easily become deformed. Therefore, they cannot be washed in an automatic machine; if soiled, they can be washed by hand or gentle wet cleaning.
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