Advantages Of Faux Wood Blinds And Faux Wood Blinds Cleaning
Filed Under Decorating Ideas | Posted on March 14, 2008
Wood blinds give a natural look to the room with a graceful charm. They look much better than traditional curtains or shutters. They look pretty from both inside and outside the window. Wood blinds come in lots of varieties–vertical blinds, woven wood blinds, faux wood blinds, wood mini blinds, etc.
Advantages of faux wood blinds
First, a little background information, faux wood blinds come in two forms: composite wood and vinyl, a type of PVC plastic. The composite wood variety is made from a blend of real hardwoods and plastic polymers to form highly durable slats and other components that make up the blind. PVC blinds are made exclusively from a vinyl polymer.
In terms of price, the vinyl variety is the cheapest. In terms of weight, wood blinds are the lightest weights of the three, wood composites are the second lightest and vinyl blinds are the heaviest. This is an important consideration mostly when you are ordering fairly large blinds.
One of the nice things about faux woods is that they are very durable. They will not fade, crack, warp or split, making them perfect for rooms with heat and humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens. This durability is often important in kid’s rooms. Composite wood blinds are the most durable. They have a hard coating that is highly scratch resistant. That is not to say the PVC blinds are not durable, just not as scratch resistant as the composites.
To help you further differentiate when you should buy composites over PVC blinds, here are some important details. If you are trying to match up other wood stains from your home’s décor, composite blinds offer the closest wood-like grains and stains. So, if you are trying to match up other wood blinds or other wood elements with faux woods, composites would be the best choice. Vinyl blinds do come in wood-colored stains but, in my opinion, are best suited to non-wood colors, like white, beige, etc and these tend to be the most common applications. One final point on the issue of choices, both vinyl blinds and composite blinds can come with in a textured or smooth finish. The best way to get a sense for these differences is to order swatches.
One last consideration, one of growing importance, is the issue of eco-friendliness. If you are concerned about the environment, cutting down trees, and recycling than composite wood blinds may be the best choice. Comfortex now offers an eco-friendly line of faux wood composites. These are made with real wood along with recycled man-made materials. I, for one, applaud Comfortex for addressing this issue by launching a line of eco-friendly blinds. I hope that this is the beginning of a trend within the industry. (By Dave Sean Brooks)
Cleaning faux wood blinds
Wooden Blinds may be vacuumed with a brush attachment to keep them clean and lint and dust free.
Use of the brush attachment should remove all dirt except that which has been embedded in the fabric. That type soil may be removed using a cloth which has been wet with a mild soapy solution.
More serious soil can be removed from a painted blind using a damp cloth with warm water and laundry detergent, such as tide or Era.
These are mild enough to leave the paint intact but to remove the soil.
Do not ever use an abrasive cleaner on your painted wood blinds. Severely stained blinds must be treated with lemon oil or a wood restorative.
Never use a petroleum base soap to remove soil from your wooden blinds, whether or not they have been painted this may damage the water proof finish that coats them.
Cellular shades are easy to keep looking fresh and excellent for years to come.
They will require frequent cleaning with a feather duster or a charged vacuum duster, and lightly vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner attachment.
If they become soiled with surface dire, they can be spot cleaning using a mild soap and warm water.
Extra care should be used with cellular blinds so as not to crease the fabric permanently.
Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended in use for these particular blinds.
Under no circumstances use a very strong detergent, bleach or spot removers as they may remove the dye and leave lighter spots on the cellular blinds.
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