Real Wood Blinds: How To Keep Them Pristine With Proper Care and Cleaning

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By Amber Molins

Anyone that is in the process of redecorating and wants to create a stylish and refined living space will typically consider the addition of real wood blinds for their windows.

Real wooden blinds create a unique style and exhibit a refined personality to a home, which is why people across the globe chose them as a window dressing over other conventional styles of blinds on the market. Faux wooden blinds are a cheaper alternative to real wood blinds; however, the authentic wooden blinds will always stand up to more abuse and can even last a lifetime, especially if they are cared for with appropriate maintenance.

Replacement will not be a consideration in the near future for anyone that selects real wood blinds, as long as they are given the proper care and maintenance. In order to sustain the beautiful texture on wooden blinds, proper cleaning is essential to their lasting beauty.

Maintaining real wooden blinds is incredibly easy and is one of the many reasons that so many people chose to use them in their homes. The beauty and quality of real wood blinds can be sustained for a lifetime, as long as they are gently cleaned on a routine basis. Keeping wooden venetian blinds in pristine shape is easy, especially with a few helpful tips to keep in mind.

When selecting the location to place real wood blinds, make sure that you consider the type of material and how it will relate to the area of the home where they are to be installed. Windows, naturally, are the location to install wood blinds; however, the location of the window could play a factor into whether this type of blind is appropriate for that area or not.

Kitchen and bathroom windows, for instance, are not the best location to install real wood blinds. The conditions that exist in kitchens and bathrooms will have a significant impact on the life of wood venetian blinds. The high humidity frequently found in kitchens and baths does not pair well with the natural wood that composes the blinds. Wood and humidity is never a good combination, regardless of the application. It is a smart idea to avoid these rooms when installing real wooden blinds.

When cleaning real wood blinds it is not a good idea to use soap and water. Wooden blinds have a unique sealant that is applied to the wood and that is why so many people think soap and water is a good cleaning solution. However, because this protective film is not very thick, it is prone to tear; when it tears, cleaning water will become immersed in the blinds and cause them to lose their shape. As a result, your home will no longer be able to display the beautiful wooden venetian blinds as it originally did when they were first installed.

Real wood blinds can be easily cleaned with the gentle pass of a vacuum cleaner attachment. High powered machines, however, should be avoided when cleaning your wooden venetian blinds. The dirt residing on the blind slats and any dust that is sitting on the face of the blinds can easily be removed with a brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner.

The blinds can be further cleaned with a barely damp cloth and a gentle swipe across the face of the blinds.
As long as you are armed with the proper knowledge, maintaining real wood blinds in pristine conditions is an effortless task. Your real wood blinds will last as long as you like, when you use these tips as a guide.

For some great advice and more information on real wood blinds please visit: http://woodenvenetianblinds-uk.co.uk

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Choosing Window Treatments: The Pros of Plantation Shutters, Horizontal Blinds, and More!

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Looking for window treatments but not sure what you want? We've compiled a brief overview of many of the most common styles to help you select the right window shades, blinds, or plantation shutters for your particular needs.

Whether you're redecorating or designing the interior for your new construction home, the finishing touch is almost always window treatments. Providing benefits like light control and privacy in addition to purely aesthetic considerations, it's important to choose the window coverings that match your particular functional and appearance needs. Not sure what all the options available to you are? Then keep reading for a quick overview of window shades and blinds to get you started on your search!

Horizontal Blinds

The most traditional type of window blinds, horizontal blinds include a full range of options from aluminum mini blinds to natural wood blinds. These are very versatile window coverings, offering variable light control, easy operation, and simple, attractive looks. Real wood horizontal blinds may offer some insulating qualities; however, most people do not consider horizontal window blinds to be an energy-efficient window treatment. Horizontal blinds are available in aluminum, wood, and wood composite construction.

Plantation Shutters

Similar to horizontal blinds, plantation shutters also feature rows of slats that are adjustable for different levels of light control. However, while horizontal window blinds are supported/operated by a series of cords, the slats on interior shutters are installed in a frame that fits into your window. Because of this more substantial, more permanent appearance, plantation shutters are often referred to as the "fine furnishings" of window coverings. In fact, installing plantation shutters will earn you the greatest return on investment of any window treatment when the time comes to sell your home. Interior window shutters are available in vinyl, wood, and durable wood composite materials.

Vertical Blinds

Instead of featuring horizontal slats, as their name suggests vertical blinds are composed of vertical slats or panels. Once looked down on as dated or unattractive, today's vertical window blinds offer a variety of different materials and styles that are both beautiful and modern. Ideal for covering large windows or patio doors, vertical blinds can come in insulating designs for improved home energy efficiency. From sliding panel verticals to fabric vertical blinds, there are a number of different types on the market today, so make sure you evaluate all of your style options before you pick one vertical blind or another.

Window Shades

Window shades encompass a spectrum of different window covering options from roll-up shades to cellular shades. These window treatments typically cover the entire window when down, potentially limiting their versatility in terms of light management. On the other hand, many window shade styles also provide energy efficiency, black-out options, and elegant style.

Of course, these are just the most common general types of window shades and blinds that are on the market today. All of these options can be customized in terms of size, color, and often even texture/pattern to complement your decor. Now that you know the basics of the different window treatment styles, you can get started on selecting the exact blind or shade you want installed in your home. For more information, visit your area window covering showroom to speak with a professional!

Maria Allen is a home improvement and design enthusiast. He is also an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, providing SEO to help local businesses connect with customers online.

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How to Clean Aluminum Mini Blinds

By Tiffany Treadwell

Most housekeepers' top concern when it comes to buying new window treatments is will it be easy to clean. This, of course, is a very valid point, since these items will be exposed to a lot of things, being placed directly in an opening in the household. Luckily, when it comes to aluminum mini blinds, cleaning it up is one of the easiest things to do.

These blinds are very easy to clean. Unlike wooden ones which are very prone to molding when exposed to high levels of moisture, aluminum is resistant to stains and even scratching, which makes it a very home-friendly item. Even if you have a good dozen of kids around, you don't have to worry too much about these things because they will surely not give you a hard time when cleaning time comes or look like a mess from the exterior of the house.

However, what most people forget is the fact that one still needs to apply some measure of care when cleaning these kinds of blinds. You see, with smaller slats, you are only given small gaps to work with when dusting or vacuuming each blade. Mini blinds are normally less than an inch wide while micro blinds are much smaller, so you will have to use smaller brushes, dusters, or vacuum heads to effectively clean them without making them too wide apart.

Some owners prefer these blinds in black, because soot can't be easily noticed in that color. Of course, if you don't have a lot of time in your hands to clean too often, this can be a very wise move, too, but you will also want to consider if that shade suits the design of your home. Remember that such a dark hue can make your home look darker and gloomier, so make sure consider that before installing.

Generally, if you need to clean your aluminum mini blinds, all you have to do is to dust or vacuum them. Afterwards, washing them with soap and drying are also a good way to keep them clean, so you can be sure that you've really gotten rid of the harmful dirt that might've accumulated in the corners over time. Once you've got all of these covered, then, your blinds are now clean and once again perfect for your home.

Tiffany Treadwell writes various review for the Aluminum Mini Blinds. Visit her site for more info at http://www.blackoutblindsreview.com

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Types of Roman Shades

By Ray Bork

Fabric Roman Shades combine the softness, warmth and beauty of fabric drapery with the tailored look and function of a shade. Raise them for an open view to the outside, or lower them when you want privacy and light control.
Choose a Hobbled design and enjoy a classic look with billowing folds cascading the shade's length.

Select a flat style that provides a tailored look as the panels hang smoothly when lowered and gather evenly when raised. A relaxed Roman Shade is a style that lies flat with a gentle "smile" at the bottom when lowered, and billows up in soft gathers when raised. There is also the London Shade which is an elegant alternative to the standard Roman Shade. The London Shade lies flat with folds at the bottom approximately 10" in from each side.
The Fusion Insulating Roman Panel Shades by Comfortex combines the insulating benefits of a cellular shade with the beauty of drapery style fabric to offer you a product that is as functional as it is beautiful. Horizontal fabric panels hang smoothly over a double honeycomb cellular liner and when raised, the panels nest neatly behind one another.

Roman Shades made with the Persona program, also by Comfortex, allows you to personalize your window shades with your choice of any combination of colors, patterns and textures. You can even have your shades made with your own custom graphic.

There is also the Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades. They consistently present a clean, neat appearance. Beautifully designed front and back without cords, grommets, or gathers. The soft overlapping fabric folds give them their uniquely elegant styling.

Combining the classic look of a custom drapery with the utility of a roller shade, vignettes are concealed inside a fabric-covered fascia for a completely uncluttered look when raised.

These shades are available with the Top-Down/Bottom-Up, motorized, and other advanced lifting systems. There are hundreds of fabrics to reflect your personality and lifestyle from formal to contemporary, Natural, or Romantic. For that time-tested warmth and soft feeling, Roman Shades may be the perfect answer to your window covering needs.

Ray Bork is the owner of New View Blinds and Shutters, located in Colorado. Visit our website, http://WWW.NVBAS.COM. We have information including pictures and videos on most types of window coverings to help you in your buying decision.

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