Residences across America often feature window coverings (they increase privacy, allow for natural light control and increase energy savings). One of the most popular window coverings are vinyl mini blinds. Vinyl mini blinds are consistently popular because they are affordable.

Affordable products on today’s market can ensure that they’re the hottest commodity available. Another aspect of the window covering world that is given special importance during times of recession is maintenance and cleaning. Consumers recognize the benefit of increased life available through proper maintenance during times when budgets are tighter. Vinyl mini blinds are easy to clean. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Feather dust regularly. Most owners find this is easy and convenient and takes care of a majority of the problem.

2. If feather dusting isn’t quite doing the job owners should start with a damp rag. Running the rag gently along each slat from side to side will often remove any dirt, dust or debris. Make sure the rag isn’t wet; just damp.

3. If a damp rag process still leaves debris on the blinds it’s time to remove them from their installation position. Taking them down will allow owners to lay them out in an appropriate outdoor area to spray them off with a household hose for more intensive cleaning.

4. If taking the product outside for spraying isn’t possible owners can place them to soak in a bathtub full of warm water mixed with general cleanser. After soaking for a few minutes the blinds should be moved around in the water to allow any remaining dirt or debris to fall off.

5. And as a last resort owners can keep the car wash in mind. This would involve transporting wet blinds, but it’s worth it if it saves the vinyl mini blinds from being discarded because they can’t be cleaned. Owners can take advantage of the affordable high power water spraying devices at the car wash to really spray off the blinds.

Proper maintenance (regular dusting and light cleaning) should avoid the need for deep cleaning in the majority of situations. But many owners find it convenient that they have the possibility to remove the products from their installed positions in order to clean them more thoroughly if the need arises. Manufacturers have designed the product to ensure that the removal of the product for cleaning purposes is fairly easy and convenient.

Chris Stanley is a window treatments expert at Blinds Chalet. Blinds Chalet has over 25 years of experience in the window coverings sector and strives to educate consumers about purchasing and installing window shades before they buy. Focusing on high quality, company tested and approved window treatments at affordable prices, Blinds Chalet is a resource for all things window shades related.

How many blinds out there can actually fulfill the claim of being classic? There really aren’t very many. But plantation blinds claim “classic” and they definitely have the right. And this isn’t classic meaning old. This is classic meaning perfect yesterday and perfect today and perfect tomorrow. They offer timeless design options/possibilities.

Plantation blinds are available in faux, composite or real wood varieties. The Faux products are vinyl, light weight and durable. Faux plantation blinds are also extremely affordable. Consumers on a tight budget often choose them over other varieties. Another advantage is that faux products are the best choice for moist or damp environments. They deal well with moisture.This also makes them much easier to clean.

Composite varieties are made of both wood and PVC mixed. So composite plantation blinds also deal well with moisture and are an appropriate choice for bathrooms and/or kitchens. It’s also more affordable than real wood varieties so it’s advantageous in the current economic climate as consumers keep their belts tight.

Plantation blinds are also available in real wood. These products are obviously made of 100% real wood. They are customarily light weight and come with their very own natural aesthetics. They take a stain very easily and provide the benefit of the natural grain showing through for design purposes.

Many designers and consumers both say that plantation blinds “make” a room. They add a very unique element to the design of an interior space. They’re high quality and timeless as well as durable. They are valued for their success at providing lifetime satisfaction amongst homeowners. Homeowners who have high quality plantation blinds installed rarely discover the need to update their window coverings.

Last, but not least consumers can enjoy the many color options available for plantation blinds. It’s another entire spectrum of design possibilities. The many options that are available with plantation blinds makes for a nearly unlimited amount of consumer satisfaction.

Chris Stanley is a window treatments expert at Blinds Chalet. Their focus on top quality, company tested and approved window treatments at budget prices has made Blinds Chalet a resource for all things shades related. With over 25 years of experience in the window coverings industry, Blinds Chalet successfully educates consumers about purchasing and installing shades before they buy.

There are many, many options when consumers decide they’re in the market for window coverings. But when it comes to the extensive number of products…it makes some shoppers impatient. And being impatient results in their not even knowing about many options that could suit their needs very well. One option that is often missed is cellular shades.

Some of the defining characteristics that are noticeable about cellular shades follow:

1. Energy efficiency is definitely a defining characteristic of cellular shades. This means that they are capable of keeping more “bought air” inside the house. Homes stay warmer in the winter and they stay cooler in the summer when appropriate energy efficient window coverings are installed. The most energy efficient variety of cellular shades are those with bigger pleats and/or triple celled products.

2. Versatility is another important feature of cellular shades. A lot of consumers have a fixed idea in their minds about window coverings. That is the idea that to open the covering you pull the bottom of the shade up. With cellular shades this isn’t the case. They can be opened up or down. It’s called top down bottom up. This makes the options when attempting light control and privacy…extensive.

3. The honeycomb fabric of cellular shades makes them a popular choice for those who value extensive design options. There are hundreds of pattern and/or color options.

4. The honeycomb fabric also offers fabulous privacy options. It can provide anything from muted light to total darkness.

5. The cellular shades also offer another type of versatility: single celled shades, double celled shades or triple celled shades. When it comes to design tastes…preferences vary. But the triple celled shades are valued because they are the most energy efficient of the three.

6. Cellular shades also come in varying pleat sizes. Again…many consider this as a design element. But it is an important consideration in the energy efficiency of the product. The larger pleat sizes offer more energy efficiency.

Cellular shades are unarguably one of the most energy efficient window shades on the market. They’re probably one of the most energy efficient window coverings in general, as well. They’re sometimes called honeycomb shades due to the fabric used in manufacturing, but regardless of what name they are given by consumers…the important thing is to know the benefits of the product. Knowing the benefits of the product will lead consumers to the window covering products that most adequately suit their needs.

Chris Stanley is a window treatments expert at Blinds Chalet. Blinds Chalet has over 25 years of experience in the window coverings industry and strives to educate consumers about purchasing and installing window blinds before they buy. Focusing on high quality, company tested and approved window treatments at affordable prices, Blinds Chalet is a resource for all things window blinds related.