How to Clean Blinds

Make quick and easy work of it with these 9 tips.

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No matter what kind of blinds you have—wooden, fabric and vertical are the three basic types—these tips will make their cleaning and maintenance easy:

1. Vacuum blinds often with the brush attachment. Vacuum across the slats, not up and down.
2. Use a lamb's-wool duster, again working across the slats and starting at the top. Do not use plastic dusters.

3. When dusting or vacuuming vertical blinds, brush downward only, as the slats often become unhooked if you brush upward.

4. Use a rubber sponge, also known as a dry sponge (found at hardware and paint stores), to remove dust and residue from both fabric and vinyl blinds. Simply wipe the dry sponge firmly across the blinds.
5. For spot cleaning, spray an all-purpose cleaner onto a clean dry cloth and wipe the soiled area of the blind. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the blind.

6. You can wet wooden blinds when cleaning, but don't soak them. Clean them in place instead of removing them as you would for other types of blinds.

7. If fabric blinds become very dirty, take them to a dry cleaner.

8. Do not try cleaning blinds by spraying them with a car-wash hose, dunking them in the tub or one slat at a time.

9. To clean metal and vinyl blinds, follow this method: Take the blinds outside to your patio or driveway and lay them on a small rug or piece of carpet. Put a few drops of dishwashing soap in a bucket of water. Wet a car-washing brush and brush the blinds from side to side, and then turn them over and brush the other side. Rinse the blinds gently with a garden hose while tilting them so that the water runs off. To prevent water spots from forming, quickly run your finger down the slats a couple of times to remove excess water. When done, drape the blinds over a fence or a couch to dry.

10 Questions to Think About When Considering Plantation Shutters

By Chris R McDole

Plantation Shutters are an investment in your home and fine furniture for your windows. Here are 10 questions to consider when deciding on shutters.

1. Wood or Composite - Both products have pros and cons. Composite may help keep shutters within a budget. Wood is lighter weight allowing you in some cases to have fewer panels and gives the option of broader paint choices, stains and in some case custom paints or stains.


2. Paints or Stains - I'm personally a great fan of paints and matching baseboards. Paint will work in any room and really POPS off the wall with a contrast color behind it. It is also a safe choice in the event you sell your home. The stains allow you to see the different grains as well as bring warmth in the room.


3. Inside Mount or Out Side mount install - This choice could be made for you if you have little sill space which will not accommodate an inside mount frame. These days it's difficult to find windows that are square. Manufactures will usually list anything ¼" outside of square should move to OM frame. I will do windows outside of this tolerance on a case by case basis. If you're windows are extremely unsquare then the OM frame is the logical choice. There are some dealers that prefer to do OM frame when the customer has bull nose windows. It is a little more difficult to install, but it is definitely possible to stay with the IM frames.


4. Frame Style - While you may see shutters on the east coast without frames because the windows already have casing, this is a rarity on the West Coast or at least here in Arizona. The L frame was a standard years ago and usually an Outside mount application. The L frame gives you about a 1" of frame. I rarely use L-Frames now with the exception of Doors/French Doors. Deco Frames are frames that give outside mount customers a more ornate looking frame and usually run from 2" to 3" wide. The most popular frame choice is the Z frame. The Z frame is an inside mount frame and is called a Z frame because it looks a Z. Part of the frame goes into the sill and part covers the outside wall like a picture frame. They are usually from 1" to 3" wide. You must be careful when choosing a 1" Z frame when you have bull nose windows. After taking proper deductions to fit the shutter in the window the 1" Z frame will fall around the bull nose part of the window. This gives an un-clean look and can also increase light gaps.


5. Louver Size - Most Manufactures will give you a choice of a 2 1/2, 3 ½ and 4 ½ louver. We rarely do 2 ½ louvers. One of the benefits to shutters is having the bigger louvers which mean better vision and light. In some of the ranch style homes where the window height are around 24" the 2 ½ louver works. Usually you'll want the heights to be around 72" or so for the 4 ½ louver to work. The 4 ½ louver can overwhelm small windows. Just like the 3 Bears, the 3 ½ louver is as a whole the perfect size louver. It is great for vision and light and looks good in almost all windows.


6. Divider Rails - Divider rails give you the option to keep the lower portion of the panel louvers closed while giving you privacy and allowing you to open the top portion to allow light. In some instances a divider rail will be necessary to give larger panel strength. One con of the divider rail is it essentially replaces a louver and you'll not be able to see through it.


7. Split Tilt Bar - For those that want the divider rail option without the divider rail can go with a split tilt rod. The tilt bar will be cut and give you the ability to control the bottom and top panel louvers separately.


8. Tilt Bar/Hidden Tilt - The standard option on shutters will have a ½" or so tilt bar going down the panel which connects the louvers allowing you privacy and light control. If you want a clearer vision though the louvers and tad bit easier way to clean the louvers you can go with a hidden tilt system at a surcharge. Some manufactures also offer an offset tilt bar. This option puts the tilt bar on the left or right side of the panel instead of the middle and it is also offered at a surcharge.


9. Hinges - You have choices of paint color hinges and metal color hinges like bright brass, antique brass, oiled rubbed, nickel plated and stainless steel. Some manufacturers also offer an invisible hinge option as a surcharge.


10. Panel Configurations - Composite panels are usually up to 30" wide while wood panels can go up to 36" wide. There are a handful of manufactures that do build composite panels up to 36". Fewer panels will have fewer rails, more window view and allow more light. Window size will decide how many panels you'll have. You can then decide which way it's hinged to open. On some of the bigger windows up wards of 72", you'll have a choice of adding T-Post which also helps with the frame integrity.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_R_McDole

Blinds 4 Less

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Benefits of Wood Blinds

By Alex Pupkin

Wood blinds offer a range of aesthetic and practical benefits. Window coverings are an important design element of any room, but they are also functional. Depending on the style of a particular room, blinds are just one of the many alternatives available for window coverings. Often popular because they are versatile, affordable, and easy to maintain, window blinds have become increasingly common over the past couple of decades. Today, wood blinds are a popular choice as they create an atmosphere of warmth in a room of any style while also offering significant practical advantages.

Style
First and foremost, wooden blinds are an attractive addition to any room that add texture and beauty to your windows. In addition, wood blinds have a distinctly natural feel which gives them an especially graceful charm. Plus, as is the case with all blinds, wooden varieties feature clean lines and help to promote a sense of space even in smaller rooms. Moreover, because wood window blinds are made from many different types of wood including bamboo, pine, chestnut, oak, mahogany, maple, and beech to name a few, they can easily fit into any motif.

Flexibility
As mentioned, wood blinds are made from many types of wood - even faux wood. This means they're not just versatile stylistically but functionally. For example, in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, faux blinds are durable enough to withstand humidity while looking and feeling like real wood.
Similarly, these types of window coverings are available in different shapes, stains, colours, and shades. As such, homeowners can rest easy knowing their blinds will stand up to any use. Wood blinds are easy to clean, durable, and cost effective. Indeed, even though wood alternatives often cost more than plastic blinds, they typically last longer too. Wood blinds will last several years with only minimal maintenance.

Privacy
Furthermore, one of the main benefits of wood blinds is the privacy they provide. Plastic blinds are sometimes at least partially translucent, and often shadows or outlines are visible through the blinds. On the contrary, wood blinds are completely opaque, and since they can be opened and closed, you have total control over your privacy.

Customization
As a homeowner you can also customize your wooden blinds. You can choose the slat size, you can choose between vertical and horizontal varieties, and you can select your favourite wood type. In addition, these window coverings also have optional features like fabric tapes, motorized functioning, UV blocking, and more. When it comes to wooden blinds, you can see them as an investment. They last much longer than other types of blinds, and they can even be stained or painted over time so that you have the flexibility to update the style of your room without spending a lot on new window coverings.

Visit Arlene's Interiors in Vancouver, Burnaby, or Langley for a wide selection of wood blinds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Pupkin

Blinds 4 Less

Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades

Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994

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(951) 924-9435

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The Many Benefits of Window Shutters

By Steven P Jackson

Most people ignore the importance and roles of shutters decorating a room. No matter how well you arrange and decorate a room, it will always be incomplete without the right window shutters, both exterior and interior. They do not only complement a room's beauty; they also offer privacy when needed and protection. They come in many sizes and colours, giving you a wide range of options to choose from. What are the benefits of window shutters?

Window shutters are not only for the exterior part of the window as commonly believed; they also have great benefits when fitted in the interior. Their greatest benefit is the way they easily complement the furniture and décor of a room. There are many types, sizes, and colours of ready-made window shutters that can match very well with many house settings. If for some reasons you cannot seem to find the right kind of window shutter for a room, you can order for a customized design specifically for you. In simple terms, there is no reason your you should be lacking interior window shutters in your house.

Apart from beauty, interior shutters provide privacy in a room when needed. You can keep them semi-closed and be assured not to get the attention of passer-byes as you go on with your activities. They further protect against heat and sunrays in summer by simply shutting them and from cold in winter as they play a big role in holding the warmth in a room. You can also adjust the amount of light flowing into a room to go with your mood if your shutters have louvers.

Unlike curtains, they are easily maintained, only being wiped, or dusted off to keep them clean and being painted once in a quite long period of time to change with your tastes and preferences and to get them looking new again, hence making them much more economical.

Every constructor will tell you that exterior window shutters are of extreme importance and should not be left out during construction. Why? First, windows complement the exterior of your house well and provide uniformity. They can be painted in any colour to match with the house's colour. They are also useful during summer and winter as they have the ability to maintain a room's temperature as needed when they are closed. They also provide privacy. However, the most important role of exterior window shutters is the provision of security. For starters, they offer an additional obstacle to intruders who might be trying to gain access to your house wrongly, popularly known as buglers. Secondly, they are very useful in hurricane prone areas. They can offer a strong resistance against strong winds and the particles they might be carrying, protecting the house's interiors and occupants from harm.

They also require minimum maintenance, only being wiped from time to time to keep them clean, and painted once in a while to make them look new again or change with your taste.

For fantastic window shutters visit http://shuttersdoveranddeal.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_P_Jack

Blinds 4 Less

Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades

Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994

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(951) 924-9435

http://blinds4less01.com

Window Treatments - When to Not Use Curtains

By Pamela Sandall

It's fairly standard practice for an interior designer to install custom curtains (aka drapery) in a client home. I happen to love curtains. They add softness, texture and sound-softening into almost any room. Being tasked with writing an article on NOT using window treatments has got me thinking outside the box.
When would I opt to not use large swaths of fabric to bring color, texture and style to a room? When should you not use draperies to bring color, texture and style to a room? The answer is when the room doesn't want it or need it. If you're on the fence and looking for an excuse to get out of hanging curtains, read below for some great drapery alternatives.

First, a little background to help categorize your decision making. There are two basic types of window coverings:
Privacy Window Coverings vs. Decorative Window Coverings
Privacy window coverings have the goal of providing privacy, but also assisting with light control, temperature control and sometimes sound absorption.
Decorative window coverings are included to bring additional style and flair to your space.
Good room design benefits from both, but decorative does not need to be curtains only. Many privacy treatments look pretty wonderful! When your privacy window covering adds style, it will serve dual duty as both a privacy treatment and decoration.

A few examples:
Most people are familiar with the metal mini-blinds of long ago. Wood, or faux wood blinds are an upgrade to that builder-basic item. There are so many options out there to now consider.
There is a vast array of woven woods that add texture and pattern to your decor. The new styles look nothing like those you might remember from the 1970's. The new textures have great colors, sleek or nubby textures and looks to cover you from country to contemporary style.
Roman shades are a window shade made from fabric and a wonderful option that brings color and fabric softness to the window without hanging curtains.
Roller shades are no longer basic white and now can feature splashy patterns and unique finishes.
Shutters are a truly upscale choice that add not only privacy but VALUE to your home!
Sometimes it's the characteristics of your home or style choice that is better served by leaving the windows clear of curtains.

Contemporary Styled decor is usually perceived as a very clean lined way of decorating and sometimes even classified as stark. Occasionally a contemporary design will incorporate drapery, but more often than not, the windows are left simple and un-adorned. Even when needed for privacy, the blinds tend will be quite streamlined.

A Great View: If a stunning view is the focal point of the room, you may not want to distract from it with draperies. Whether it's a breathtaking oceanfront or an arresting cityscape, you may have no need of window coverings at all. If privacy is not an issue, but light control is, you can use simple roller shades or even UV window film.

Architecture: Sometimes the architecture of the room will prevent curtains from being an option. One of the most remarkable examples I've seen is a room that has floor to ceiling bookcases flanking both sides of the windows. Another home depicted floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows and stone walls on either side.
Bathrooms, most especially kid bathrooms, might actually be adversely affected by curtains due to the excessive moisture.

Finally, life circumstance might prevent you from wanting to hang drapery. Dogs and cats love to nest inside a warm cozy space. Your drapery could end up becoming your pet's newest, favorite hiding spot! Small children think they make great hiding spots as well. If you have little ones, either furry kids or human, think clearly about how their well-being (and your cleaning bills!) before hanging drapery.
Whatever you decide, window coverings should blend with your home, your personal style and your life style.

Happy Decorating!

Pamela Sandall is an interior designer that helps homeowners create a warm & welcoming home. She wants her clients home filled with the treasures and decorating style that complement those that live there. She offers many affordable design solutions from an online diy design training to online to decorating to full service design. Visit her online @ http://www.pamelasandalldesign.com. Be sure to take advantage of her free, seven day mini-course, available on the homepage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Sandall

Blinds 4 Less

Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades

Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994

Free In-Home Shopping

(951) 924-9435

http://blinds4less01.com