Handmade, or how to wash roller blinds so as not to spoil them

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 processing of the fabric (made from 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.

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 ruin 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.

You can familiarize yourself with the general rules for washing curtains Here.

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 ways to dismantle.

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 from the underside 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. The already washed part of the roller shutter is carefully rolled up.
3. 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:

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.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

How to dry?

In order for the roller blind to retain its original appearance after washing, it must be dried properly.

Basic drying rules:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Special stain removers for roller blinds (do not contain aggressive chemicals or chlorine) will help remove stubborn stains.

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.

Conclusion

Following the basic rules for washing roller blinds will preserve the original appearance of the product for many years.