Window Furnishings Maintenance: Tips for Longevity
To ensure the products last, you can find important care instructions below.
EXTERNAL AWNINGS
Do
- Always roll up or retract your awnings in forecast high winds and storms—the leverage exerted can strain fittings and mountings.
- Avoid rolling up your awnings when they’re wet—this can encourage mould and mildew to grow. It’s best that your awnings be allowed to dry in the sun before retracting them fully.
- Keep your awnings clean. To remove dirt, brush dry fabric with a soft-bristled brush and either vacuum or blow debris off. Occasional hosing may be required to remove some dust and ingrained dirt.
- Remove any mildew as you see it! Our fabric is mildew and rot resistant, but mildew can grow on accumulated dirt. Chemical mildew removes are primarily bleach based, so use caution and strictly follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Fully extend your awning—if you are regularly using your awnings only partly retracted, make sure to periodically adjust them to their fullest extension.
- Keep vines and shrubs away from your awnings, as they may contain acids that are damaging to the fabric.
- Call us for advice!
Don’t
- Leave awnings down in forecast strong winds—retract them fully to protect the fabric, componentry, fittings and fixings—including your home!
- Mow lawns or clean gutters etc near awnings when they’re extended, or allow leaves, dirt etc to remain on your awnings—this might stain the fabric or encourage mildew growth.
- Use insect spray near or on the fabric, or use any cleaning solution without strictly following the manufacturers’ instructions as this may cause staining or affect the water repellency of the fabric.
- Allow water to stand on the fabric, as this will cause pocketing and possible stretching; if you need to hose your awnings, squeegee any excess water off the awning. Don’t fold or roll the fabric in cold and damp weather or otherwise wet conditions.
- Scrub the fabric or drag your fabric across any abrasive surface—make sure you move obstacles away from the awnings when using them.
- Force your awnings when raising or lowering—if something doesn’t feel right, give us a call so we can come and fix it!
- Have fires or use BBQs beneath or around the awning.
Operating Your Awnings
Locking Arm (Auto Awnings)
Pull bottom rail down to desired position and release; arms will lock into position. Grasp bottom rail in both hands and push back and down to release arms.
Spring Operated (Fixed Guide Awnings, Pivot Arm Awnings, Straight Drop Awnings)
Grasp bottom rail in the centre (using the provided pull stick or rope as applicable) to raise or lower. Clip or cleat awning securely to keep it in position. To retract, unclip fixings or release rope and guide awning up by hand.
Crank Operated (Fixed Guide Awnings, Pivot Arm Awnings, Straight Drop Awnings, Wire Guide Awnings)
Insert crank handle into gearbox; wind to extend or retract awning to desired position. Clip awning securely as required. Remove crank handle from gearbox or secure it beside the awning.
Spring Balanced (Ziptrak®)
Release the Easylock central locking system and lift to desired position.
Motorised (Fixed Guide Awnings, Pivot Arm Awnings, Wire Guide Awnings, Ziptrak®)
Use the provided switch, remote control or The Blind Factory App to lift and lower your awnings. CAUTION: always ensure there are no obstructions in the way before you engage the motor. Always press stop before changing direction.
INDOOR BLINDS
Do
- Always operate your blinds with care, particularly in areas where damage can easily occur (eg: over doors, sinks, baths etc).
- Always patch test cleaning products! Due to the significant variations between fabrics, we recommend you test clean a small area before cleaning the whole blind.
Don’t
- Leave blinds down in front of open windows or doors. Any small opening can create a vacuum effect, pulling fabric blinds against the glass, causing creasing.
- Leave blinds partially retracted for long periods of time—this can cause inconsistencies in UV exposure and can cause memory creases in fabric blinds.
Operating Your Blinds
Roller Blinds
Chain Operated: pull the chain in a smooth motion straight up and down to lift and lower your blind. Spring Operated: to raise, hold the base rail or pull ring in the centre of the blind. Tug quickly to disengage the lock position and guide up by hand. Do not allow the blind to fly up accidentally as this can cause over-rolling and other damage. Motorised: use the provided switch, remote or The Blind Factory App to lift and lower your blinds. CAUTION: always ensure there are no obstructions in the way before you engage the motor. Always press stop before changing direction.
Roman Blinds
Chain Operated: pull the chain in a smooth motion straight up and down to lift and lower your blind. Cord Operated: pull the cord to raise or lower the blind to the required position, then secure the cord by wrapping it around the cleat. Cord Operated with Cord Lock: pull the cord to raise the blind to the desired position, then release it gently to allow the lock to engage. To lower, pull the cord to disengage the lock, then guide the cord up to lower the blind.
Venetian Blinds
To tilt, turn the wand (Aluminium Venetians) or gently pull the tilt cord (PVC and Timber Venetians). To lift, grasp all of the lift cords and pull smoothly. NOTE: regularly lifting venetian blinds is not recommended—they are designed to have their slats tilted to control light and privacy.
Honeycell Blinds
Pull the cord to raise the blind to the desired position, then release it gently to allow the lock to engage. To lower, pull the cord to disengage the lock, then guide the cord up to lower the blind. Reverse these directions for the Top Down function.
Vertical Blinds
To rotate the angle of the slats, pull the chain or twist the wand until the slats are in the desired position. To open the blind, rotate slats until they are perpendicular to the track, then pull the cord or slide the wand along the track until blind is in the desired position.
Cleaning Your Blinds
Fabric Blinds (Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds, Panel Glides, Vertical Blinds)
Remove surface dust with a feather duster, microfibre cloth or gentle brush. A vacuum with brush attachment may also be used. Soiling can be removed with a colourfast sponge or cloth soaked in a weak solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth or sponge. Panel Glides and Vertical Blinds: do not remove panels or slats to clean. Allow to dry while hanging. Tilt vertical blades open to allow airflow between slats.
Honeycell Blinds
Remove surface dust with a feather duster, microfibre cloth or gentle brush. Compressed air or other blower device may be used. Soiling can be removed with a colourfast sponge or cloth soaked in a weak solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Aluminium and PVC Venetian Blinds
Remove surface dust with a feather duster, microfibre cloth or gentle brush. Soiling can be removed with a colourfast sponge or cloth soaked in a weak solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water. Wipe with a cloth dampened with fresh water then a dry cloth to avoid water marks.
Timber Venetian Blinds
Remove surface dust with a feather duster, microfibre cloth or gentle brush. Wipe with a damp cloth.
CURTAINS
Do
- Gently vacuum regularly with appropriate attachment or use a microfibre or static duster to remove dust from both sides of the fabric, ensuring attention is paid to the spaces between pleats and folds. A lint roller is another good option—especially for those with pets!
- Spot clean as needed. For wet stains: blot any spills immediately with a lightly dampened colourfast sponge. Staining can be removed with very diluted gentle soap or dishwashing liquid, followed by blotting with plain water. For dry stains (eg: pencil marks, flower pollen): carefully brush away any loose dirt or debris, then blot with a lightly dampened colourfast sponge or a baby wipe.
- Check your curtain care label before undertaking any cleaning. Patch test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous part of the curtain first.
Don’t
- Use bleach on your curtains! Gentle dishwashing liquids, soaps, or even baby shampoo are the only cleaning products that should be used—and always used heavily diluted in water. Patch testing any cleaning product is strongly recommended.
- Rub stains to remove them—always blot them! Rubbing them will drive the dirt further into the fibres.
- Wash your curtains in the washing machine!
WCAA Care Label List
Care Label 2
For use on viscose/acetate and other fabrics which may shrink, such as bulky cottons. Protect against sunlight with lining or other shading devices. Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. Gently vacuum regularly with appropriate attachment. Do not wash. Use warm iron. Dry clean only P50.
Care Label 3
For use on printed or dyed cotton and linen fabrics not pigment dyed. Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. Gently vacuum with appropriate attachment. Warm hand wash. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Drip dry in the shade without delay. For best results, hand curtains by their hooks to dry. Use warm iron lengthways. Dry cleanable P50. Possible shrinkage 3%.
Care Label 4
For use on polyester/cotton, polyester mixture and polyester fabrics, woven and knitted. Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. Gently vacuum with appropriate attachment. Warm hand wash. Do not bleach. Do not rub or wring. Drip dry in the shade. For best results, hand curtains by their hooks to drip dry immediately. Use warm iron. Dry cleanable P50. Possible shrinkage 3%.
Care Label 6
Coated fabrics—dry clean or wash. For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics and flock coated fabrics of both man-made and natural fibres and cotton. Regular care will minimise the need for additional cleaning. Gently vacuum with appropriate attachment. Always exercise caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning on non-exposed surface. Avoid excessive rubbing and abrasion. Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. Possible shrinkage 3%.
Dry cleaning— use specialist curtain drycleaners as recognised by the Soft Furnishings Industry Association of Australia Inc. For perchlorethylene—solvent temperature 18-20˚C, no moisture, gentle cycle, moderate (approx. 50% capacity) loading, minimise mechanical action. One bath drycleaning procedure—3 minutes passing through the filter, reduced mechanical action, 2 minutes drain to tank or still, 2 minutes extract to drain or still. Two stage drying procedure—25 minutes drying at 55˚C, then 6 minutes drying at 35˚C. Deodorise 6 minutes or until curtains are cool. For white spirit or hydrocarbon—standard drycleaning practices are appropriate. Hang curtains upon removal from machine. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press on fabric side only. Washing— curtains are heavy when wet. Professional wet cleaning recommended. DO NOT WASH IN DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE. Hand wash in cool to warm water (maximum 40˚C). Mild detergents such as wool mixes are recommended. Do not bleach, soak, rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Hang curtains by their hooks to avoid coated sides touching. Do not use pegs. Do not fold curtains over clotheslines. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press fabric side only.
For detailed code of practice for cleaning coated fabrics, drycleaners are encouraged to contact the DIA.
Care Label 6W
For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics and flock coated fabrics of both man-made fibres and cotton. Regular care will minimise the need for additional cleaning. Gently vacuum with appropriate attachment. Always exercise caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning on non-exposed surface. Avoid excessive rubbing and abrasion.
Washing— remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. Possible shrinkage 3%. Curtains are heavy when wet. Professional wet cleaning recommended. DO NOT WASH IN DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE. Hand wash in cool to warm water (maximum 40˚C). Mild detergents such as wool mixes are recommended. Do not bleach, soak, rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Hang curtains by their hooks to avoid coated sides touching. Do not use pegs. Do not fold curtains over clotheslines. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press fabric side only.
DO NOT DRYCLEAN.
PLANTATION SHUTTERS
Do
- Remove surface dust with a feather duster, microfibre cloth or gentle brush. PVC shutters can be wiped with a colourfast sponge or cloth soaked in a weak solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water. Wipe with a cloth dampened with fresh water then a dry cloth to avoid water marks.
- Be gentle when operating your shutters! Do not allow the panels or louvres to slam open or shut. This can cause cracks or chips in the material.
Don’t
- Leave hinged panels open for long periods of time—this puts unnecessary strain on the hinges and frame. Shutters are designed to have their louvres tilted to control light and privacy. It is recommended that hinged panels only be opened to access the window for opening or cleaning, or to clean the shutters themselves.
- Use hard chemicals, ammonia or bleach based cleaners, or any abrasive material to clean your shutters. This will damage the finish of the paint or stain.
Operating Your Plantation Shutters
Opening and closing louvre blades
When opening and closing louvre blades apply two hands to separate louvre blades. Place one hand on an upper louvre blade and place the other hand on a lower louvre blade and then gently turn the louvre blades open or shut. Do not force the blades. Take special care when handling the blades whilst wearing jewelry or other sharp objects as damage to the surface paint may occur.
Opening hinged shutter panels
Place one hand on the bottom rail close to the edge of the shutter, the other hand in a similar position as high up the shutter panel as possible and gently open the shutter panel. You may find that tilting the louvres open slightly first will allow you to grasp the shutter more securely. Ensure that the outer shutter panel is opened first.
Opening sliding shutter panels
Ensure that the shutter louvre blades are closed before attempting to open the sliding shutter. Gently slide the shutter panel open or shut. Ensure the sliding shutter panel is sitting securely on the bottom guide.
Opening bifold shutter panels
Panels should be closed from the pivoting outer panel. Bi-fold shutters have many different configurations including the number of panels and the direction in which they fold. In all cases it is necessary to start with the pivoting panel/s first. Once the shutters are in the fully closed position it is possible to open the blades. For opening/stacking the shutters it is necessary to close the blades first. Then the reverse applies.
Opening sliding shutter panels
Ensure that the shutter louvre blades are closed before attempting to open the sliding shutter. Gently slide the shutter panel open or shut. Ensure the sliding shutter panel is sitting securely on the bottom guide.
Securing shutter panels
Do not leave windows open behind shutters in windy or wet weather!