Maintaining & Cleaning Lakeview External Products.
General marking and mould is inevitable for outdoor fabrics, prompt attention to the affected area will minimise the chance of staining or fabric degradation. To obtain the maximum life for your Lakeview External Products, the following points should be noted:
- Keep the fabric clean by hosing regularly to remove dust, bird droppings, and other solid particles.
- No powered, high-pressure washes to be used for cleaning fabric.
- Do not apply detergents, cleaning fluids, or insecticides.
- Bleach products should not be used to clean the fabrics, as bleach will discolour the coating. Strictly use a mild soap solution and water only for cleaning.
- Keep petrol, oil, solvents, kerosene and other similar fluids away from the fabric.
- Do not allow bird droppings, earth, sand, or vegetable matter to remain in contact with the fabric.
- Water-based stains should be treated first by rinsing with cold water. If this is not sufficient, fabric may be washed with a mild solution of soap in lukewarm water and rinsed thoroughly. We recommend gentle brushing with a soft brush or sponge as harsh scrubbing can damage the coating.
- It is important that an awning or blind is let down to dry after wet weather and should not be rolled up or stowed away when wet.
OUTDOOR SHUTTERS & ROLLER SHUTTERS
Like most exterior surfaces, window roller shutters are constantly exposed to the elements. Wind, rain and dust can impact the look of your shutters as well as the operation, so keeping them clean and well-maintained is essential.
- Brush away any debris from the surface.
- Hose your shutters down with a garden hose, ensuring the water pressure isn’t too high.
- Do not use a high-pressure cleaner.
- Wash your roller shutters using a sponge and a mild detergent in warm water.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Dry them with a soft cloth. Be sure to use the up and down motion so your slats stay in the proper alignment.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners, or solvents and avoid steel wool, scrubbing brushes, or scrapers.
- When hosing down, you should try to avoid spraying water directly into the pelmet or headbox.
- Greasing the bearings once a year will ensure that the rolling mechanism continues to operate smoothly.
Maintaining & Cleaning Shutters
and Hard Blinds.
To obtain the maximum life for your Lakeview Shutters and Hard Blinds, the following points should be noted:
DUSTING REGULARLY:
Exterior shutters can get especially dirty, depending on the weather. Interior Shutters also gather dust, which is why it is essential to clean these regularly. Wipe the dust off each slat of interior shutters with a dry or microfiber cloth. You can also use the vacuum with a dry brush attachment on a low setting to clean each slat. Since dust from the top slats will settle on the lower ones, start at the top and work your way across each slat until you get to the bottom. Be sure to clean the windowsill, as dust will settle there as you clean your way down. Rotate slats and repeat the process. Similarly, dust your exterior shutters regularly, too.
CLEANING WITH A DAMP CLOTH:
If it's been a while in between cleans and your shutters are looking dirtier than usual, wipe them with mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water, using a clean, dry cloth. Always make sure to dry off your shutters afterwards using another clean, dry cloth.
Do not use any household cleaners when cleaning as these can damage your shutters and will shorten their lifetime, and only ever use soft, non-abrasive cloths for dusting and wiping.
WOODEN, PAINTED OR STAINED SHUTTERS:
For real wood shutters, painted or stained, should be kept dry at all times. If wet from a window left open. Dry off with a towel as soon as possible. Continued exposure to water or steam can damage or alter the timber. Do NOT use any kind of water or soap. Dust with a dry micro fibre cloth. Some furniture polishes are suitable for stained timber, or lacquered cedar shutters.
EXTRA SHUTTER CARE TIPS:
Shutters in wet and/or high-use areas, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, require a more frequent clean. Pay special attention to the hinges and magnets in these areas, as these can rust and/or corrode over time if they’re not cleaned properly.
Don’t forget to tilt the louvers in both directions so that you can clean both sides, and remember to vacuum the surrounding area to get rid of any dust that may have settled in the process, when cleaning interior shutters.
Maintaining & Cleaning Interior Fabric Curtains and Soft Blinds.
An important factor to any window furnishing is consistent upkeep, making sure dust and grime never get the upper hand, keeping your fabric blind and curtains vibrant and fresh. Here are some general guidelines for fabric window furnishing treatment:
HONEYCOMB BLINDS:
- Dust with a feather duster, or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment.
- For dust inside the cells, a blow dryer on the lowest, cool air setting will blow the dust-out.
- Clean with a sponge and a mild detergent/warm water solution and blot dry.
- Dry cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning are not recommended.
- Extra care should be used when cleaning opaque/blackout fabrics, as the fabrics could become permanently creased.
ROMAN AND VERTICAL BLINDS:
- Occasional light vacuuming with a brush attachment.
- For soil removal, take down the vane and lay it on a flat surface. Use a dry fabric cleaner or a sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution and blot dry. Test any commercial upholstery cleaner on an inconspicuous spot before using.
- Spot clean with a soft cloth or sponge, using a mild detergent and warm water.
- Do not immerse in water or dry clean.
ROLLER BLINDS:
- Dust with a feather duster or lightly vacuum fabric with an upholstery attachment.
- Wipe with a damp cloth to clean.
- Do not immerse in water.
DRAPERY AND CURTAINS:
The easiest way to clean your curtains without taking them down is to simply vacuum them, as often as you can. Use your vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, dust and even pet hair. A soft brush attachment is great for gently vacuuming hanging curtains from top to bottom.
A steam clean can really help in sprucing up blockout curtains and bringing them back to life.
When it comes to cleaning dust and debris off sheer curtains, the easiest way to do this is to lightly bunch the curtains up and give them a gentle shake. If you see any spot marks on your sheer curtains, you can use water and a mild detergent to spot clean.
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