How do I clean my window coverings?

Every product varies. Most products can take a light vacuum with a drapery/upholstery attachment. Some products, like the HunterDouglas Duette Honeycomb, can be submerged in a water and washed, as long as the headrail is not exposed to water.  A swifter feather duster works well on woods and venetians. On HunterDouglas Silhouette and Sheer type products, a can of compressed air works well to “shoot”  insects out of the vanes.

We strongly recommend referring to your product instructions for specific cleaning instructions.

We also recommend having your HunterDouglas products professionally cleaned every 7-10 years.  

How long does it take to have my window coverings installed?

All of our products are custom made, therefore it is difficult to give an exact date of installation at the time of order. In most cases it will be between 2-4 weeks.  

Can I install myself?

If you feel confident in installing, then we welcome you to DIY!

Most products come with installation instructions, however this is not to be taken lightly. We measure to 1/8’’ and in some cases to 1/16’’. Our sales staff and installers are experienced and know there are variances in the products as well as un-square windows where deductions have to be made.  

Whats so different with wood shutters and vinyl shutters, and why are the prices so far apart?

A lot of wood/vinyl products are on the market that don't meet the demands of today's consumers. The old saying “you-get-what-you-pay-for” holds true in the shutter market. Wood shutters made from low quality/import wood will not stand the test of time and day-to-day use. Vinyl is the same, low quality vinyl is thin and not as durable, especially if you have kids and pets.

Sunshade Blinds & Drapery will make sure you understand the difference as we carry all different brands of shutters.

What is the difference between privacy shades and black out shades?

Privacy fabric will allow light to penetrate but will not have a see-through ability.

Black-out fabric will not allow light to penetrate the fabric.

Black-out fabrics are generally used in bedrooms/TV rooms, however, light will still penetrate the sides of the shade. If there are louvres or vanes in the blind, light will also seep through. In most cases, this is an acceptable tolerance of light. Shift workers/AV rooms want a black-out fabric with no slats and side channels/bottom channels. This will eliminate all light and is very popular in commercial applications and with Firefighters, EMS, Police, Nurses, etc...   

Can my existing blinds be motorized?

In some cases, your existing shades can be retrofitted to a motorized system.   

Can my motorized blinds be integrated into my home automation interface?

In most cases, yes. Have your Home Automation Company contact us and we can work out the details.  

Hunter Douglas Overview - Designed for Easy Care

All Hunter Douglas products are made for a lifetime of wear-resistant, trouble-free performance. Shade fabrics are specially treated to repel dust and dirt. Horizontal aluminum blinds are treated with Dust Shield, an anti-static paint additive that inhibits dust build-up. Questions? Contact the Hunter Douglas Customer Information Center at 1-800-937-7895.

Detailed cleaning instructions are included with every Hunter Douglas window fashion.

Recommended Cleaning Methods

Dusting

Regular dusting maintains a like-new appearance of most blinds, shades and sheers.

Vacuuming

For deeper cleaning, vacuum gently with brush attachment of any vacuum cleaner..

Compressed Air or Hair Dryer (non-heat setting)

Blow dust off selected window coverings.

Spot-Cleaning

Spot-clean shades and blinds with soft cloth or sponge moistened with lukewarm water. Add mild detergent if needed. Blot gently to avoid creasing. Honeycomb shades should be dried in fully lowered position. Stain-finished wooden blinds: Water may damage surface, so use lemon oil or wood preservative to clean. Aluminum horizontal blinds. Use over-the-counter blind cleaner with a soft cloth.

Vinyl and aluminum vertical blinds

Reduce build-up of static electricity by applying a very thin film of detergent on all slats and vanes.

Ultrasonic cleaning

Professional ultrasonic cleaning is recommended for several products. Do not use this method for: Country Woods blinds, Easy Glide, EasyRise, UltraGlide, Luminette Privacy Sheers, Silhouette Bon Soir or metallized-backed shades.

Bathtub cleaning

• Immerse entire shade assembly in lukewarm water with mild detergent.
• Wash for 5 minutes by gently moving liquid around with your fingers.
• Rinse with clear water.
• Close shade before removing from rinse water.
• Hold rails and tilt the shade to allow excess water to drain off.
• Re-install damp shade into window opening.
• Lower shade all the way to allow it to dry completely.

Refer to the product links to the right for detailed cleaning instructions for each product. Certain honeycomb fabrics should not be immersed in water.