Care & Cleaning

Blinds & Curtains Care Guide

A little regular care keeps your blinds and curtains looking good and working smoothly for years. This guide covers the products we make at our Homebush West workshop. If your product has a care label, always follow the label first.

Three simple rules

Dust little and often

A quick dust or gentle vacuum every few weeks stops dirt building up, so you rarely need a deep clean.

Dab, don't rub

Treat marks with a clean damp cloth and mild soapy water. Rubbing hard can damage the fabric or its coating.

Check the label first

Fabrics differ. Follow the care label, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot before you use it.

Quick guide by product

ProductEvery few weeksWhen it needs more
Sheer curtainsVacuum gently with a soft brushSpot clean, or wash as the care label says
Blockout curtainsVacuum gently with a soft brushSpot clean, or follow the care label (see below)
Roller & double rollerDust or vacuum both sidesDab marks with a damp cloth. Never soak
PVC venetiansDust the slatsWipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent
Timber venetiansDust the slatsBarely damp cloth only, then dry straight away
Vertical blindsDust or vacuum the slatsDab marks with a damp cloth
Roman blindsVacuum gently with a soft brushSpot clean only

Curtains

Covers our sheer, blockout and double curtains, in S-wave and pinch pleat styles.

Regular care

Keep them fresh

  • Vacuum gently every few weeks with a soft brush attachment on low suction to remove dust.
  • Open and close the curtains by hand from the leading edge, or with the wand if fitted. Avoid pulling on the middle of the fabric.
  • Curtains that finish just off the floor stay clear of floor dust and moisture.
Spot cleaning

Small marks

  • Dab marks with a clean damp cloth and mild soapy water. Don't rub hard.
  • Test on a hidden area first, such as the back of a hem.
  • On blockout curtains, keep water off the coated back where you can.

Washing, by fabric

Sheer

Bali Sheer (made to measure)

  • Hand wash only. Don't bleach or wring.
  • Don't tumble dry. Dry in the shade.
  • Rehang while slightly damp so the fabric drops out naturally.
  • If needed, iron below 150°C.
View Bali Sheer curtains
Blockout

Kirra & Galaxy Blockout (made to measure)

  • Care code 6W. Professional wet cleaning is recommended. Avoid domestic washing machines.
  • Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning.
  • Never tumble dry. Heat can damage the blockout coating.
  • Fabrics may shrink by up to 3% after cleaning.
View Kirra Blockout curtains

Ready-made curtains (Miami, Mona, Milan and Vienna): follow the care label sewn into each curtain.

Taking down and rehanging

S-wave curtains
  1. The curtains clip onto carriers in the track. Start at one end and gently unclip each snap from its carrier. The track stays on the wall or ceiling.
  2. To rehang, clip each snap back onto a carrier in order.
  3. Make sure the folds alternate in and out so you get the even S-wave shape.
Pinch pleat curtains
  1. Lift each hook out of its track runner or ring, working from one end.
  2. If the hooks come off for cleaning, note which pleat each one sits in.
  3. Rehang in the same order so the pleats sit evenly.

Double curtains: remove and rehang one layer at a time, sheer or blockout, so they don't get mixed up.

Blinds

Each type needs slightly different care. Find yours below.

Roller & double roller

Roller blinds

  • Lower the blind fully. Dust both sides with a feather duster, soft cloth or a vacuum brush on low.
  • Dab marks with a damp cloth and a little mild detergent. Don't scrub the coated back.
  • Never soak the blind or take it down to wash. Too much water can damage the fabric and the roller mechanism.
  • Let it dry completely before rolling it up, to stop mould.
  • Double rollers: clean each layer on its own.
View roller blinds
PVC venetian

PVC venetian blinds

  • Close the slats and dust from the top down. Then tilt them the other way and repeat.
  • Wipe slats with a damp cloth and mild detergent, supporting each slat as you go.
  • PVC handles moisture well, which makes it a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Avoid abrasive pads and harsh cleaners.
View PVC venetians
Timber venetian

Timber venetian blinds

  • Dust each slat in both tilt positions with a soft cloth or duster.
  • For marks, use a barely damp cloth and dry the slat straight away.
  • Never soak timber slats or spray cleaners on them. Water can warp the timber or damage the finish.
  • For wet areas such as bathrooms, PVC venetians are the better choice.
View timber venetians
Vertical

Vertical blinds

  • Close the blind and vacuum the slats top to bottom with a soft brush, or dust them by hand.
  • Dab marks with a damp cloth and mild soapy water.
  • Let slats dry before opening the blind so they don't stick together.
View vertical blinds
Roman

Roman blinds

  • Lower the blind fully and vacuum gently with a soft brush. Dust collects in the folds.
  • Spot clean only. Dab marks with a damp cloth and test on a hidden area first.
  • Don't put the blind in a washing machine. For marks you can't remove, contact us.
View Kirra Roman blinds
Motorised

Motorised blinds & curtains

  • Keep the motor, battery and wiring dry. Don't spray cleaner near them.
  • Clean the fabric the same way as the matching manual blind or curtain.
  • If the blind stops at the wrong height or runs slowly, contact us before adjusting it yourself.
About motorisation

Cords and chains: keep the chain tensioner fixed to the wall or frame so the loop stays taut. It keeps the blind running smoothly and keeps loose cords out of children's reach.

Mould & humidity

Sydney's humid summers and winter condensation on glass can lead to mould on window coverings. A few habits help.

Prevent it

  • Open windows or run the exhaust fan in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.
  • Wipe condensation off windows on cold mornings so it doesn't soak into curtains.
  • Never roll up a roller or Roman blind while it's damp.

If you see spots

  • Vacuum first, then dab the area with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
  • Let it dry fully with the blind lowered or the curtain drawn.
  • For heavy or returning mould, ask a professional window furnishing cleaner.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put my curtains in the washing machine?

It depends on the fabric. Bali Sheer is hand wash only. Kirra and Galaxy Blockout are care code 6W, which means professional wet cleaning is recommended and domestic washing machines should be avoided. For ready-made curtains, follow the care label sewn into each curtain.

Will my curtains shrink when they're cleaned?

Kirra and Galaxy Blockout fabrics may shrink by up to 3% after cleaning. To reduce the risk, never tumble dry and follow the care label.

Can I wash my roller blind in the bath?

No. Soaking can damage the fabric coating and the roller mechanism. Dust the blind regularly and dab marks with a damp cloth instead, then let it dry fully before rolling it up.

How do I take down S-wave curtains for cleaning?

Start at one end and gently unclip each snap from its carrier. The track stays in place. To rehang, clip each snap back on in order so the folds alternate in and out.

How often should I clean my blinds and curtains?

Dust or vacuum every few weeks, spot clean marks as they happen, and give them a deeper clean once or twice a year if the care label allows.

More reading: cleaning DIY roller blinds, a simple guide to cleaning vertical blinds and maintaining vertical blinds.