How To Safely Clean Your Hunter Douglas Window Treatments at Home

Summary:
Follow these guidelines to dust, spot clean, or gently refresh your Hunter Douglas window treatments using safe cleaning methods recommended for home care.

Applies To:
Hunter Douglas Window Coverings

General Cleaning Methods

1. Light Dusting and Vacuuming
2. Spot Cleaning and Product-Specific Cautions
3. Compressed Air and Hair Dryer Use
4. Vacuuming Tips
5. Cleaning in Between Sheers
6. Removing Bugs and Debris

Advanced Cleaning and Materials Care

7. Professional Cleaning Methods
8. Caring for Wood, Vinyl, and Fabric Tapes
9. Steam Methods for Luminette®
10. Pirouette® Fabric Precautions
11. Find Cleaning Instructions for Your Product

Light Dusting and Vacuuming

Most Hunter Douglas window treatments require only routine maintenance to keep them looking their best.

• Dust regularly using a soft cloth, feather duster, or microfiber duster.
• Vacuum gently using the brush attachment and light pressure.
• Use vertical strokes whenever possible.
• Use compressed air or a hair dryer set to Cool to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas.

Note: Do not use magnetic dusting mitts on room-darkening fabrics. They may damage the light-dimming backing.

Spot Cleaning and Product-Specific Cautions

Some Hunter Douglas products may be spot cleaned using a clean white cloth or sponge dampened with lukewarm water. If needed, add a mild, non-abrasive detergent and gently blot the fabric.

Avoid rubbing the fabric, as rubbing may cause permanent damage or creasing.

Do not spot clean:

• Alustra® Silhouette® Window Shadings, including Aria fabric
• Alustra® Pirouette® Window Shadings
• Alustra® Vignette® Modern Roman Shades
• Sonnette® Cellular Roller Shades, including Aura™ fabrics
• Products with shiny rayon or acetate cloth tapes

Note: Some products with fabric-covered headrails require cool distilled water rather than tap water when spot cleaning. Always follow the care instructions provided with your specific product.

Using Compressed Air or a Hair Dryer

Compressed air or a hair dryer set to Cool can safely remove dust from delicate fabrics, vanes, pleats, and sheers.

1. Hold the nozzle approximately 6–10 inches away from the fabric.
2. Blow gently across the surface.
3. Continue until dust has been removed.

Caution: Never use warm or hot air, as heat may warp or distort delicate materials.

Vacuuming Tips

Most Hunter Douglas window treatments may be vacuumed using light pressure and vertical strokes.

Use only a brush attachment unless your product's care instructions state otherwise.

Do not use a brush attachment on:

• Luminette® Privacy Sheers
• Alustra® Vignette® Modern Roman Shades with Leela™ fabric

Cleaning Between Sheers

To remove dust trapped between sheer fabrics:

1. Use compressed air or a hair dryer set to Cool.
2. Blow gently between the fabric layers.
3. Repeat as needed.

Never insert tools or objects between sheer fabrics.

Removing Bugs and Debris

If insects or debris become trapped inside your shades:

1. Use compressed air or a cool hair dryer to gently remove the debris.
2. Avoid inserting sticks, brushes, or other objects into the fabric.
3. If debris cannot be safely removed, consider professional cleaning.

Professional Cleaning Methods

Some Hunter Douglas products may be professionally cleaned using specialized equipment.

Ultrasonic Cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning is recommended for many soft fabric window treatments.

Injection/Extraction Cleaning

Injection/extraction cleaning uses water and suction to deep clean certain fabric products while they remain installed.

These methods should not be used on:

• Fabric-covered headrails
• Fabric-covered valances
• Fabric-covered middle rails
• Fabric-covered bottom rails
• Fabric-covered returns
• Pirouette® Window Shadings
• Delicate woven fabrics when not specifically recommended

Tip: Choose a cleaning professional who is experienced with Hunter Douglas window treatments and follows the product-specific cleaning recommendations. See: Find a Professional Cleaner for Hunter Douglas Shades.

Caring for Wood, Vinyl, and Fabric Tapes

Different materials require different cleaning methods.

Vinyl Products

• Clean Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Shutters using mild soap and water.
• Do not use ammonia-based cleaners.

Wood Products

• Dust using a soft cloth or feather duster.
• Do not use excessive moisture or chemical cleaners.
• Apply lemon oil or another quality wood conditioner periodically to help preserve the finish of Heritance® hardwood products.

Fabric Cloth Tapes

• Spot clean polyester tapes using cool distilled water and a clean white cloth.
• If the tape has a shiny finish, avoid using water, as it may leave permanent stains. Fabric cleaning wipes are recommended instead.

Steaming Luminette® Privacy Sheers

Some Hunter Douglas fabrics can be steamed when recommended for that product. The following instructions apply specifically to Luminette® Privacy Sheers.

Want to see how it's done? 

Watch this quick video to learn how to safely remove wrinkles and creases from your Luminette® Privacy Sheers using gentle steam techniques.

Steam Hand Method

1. Rotate the vanes fully open.
2. Dampen a clean white cloth with distilled or bottled water.
3. Place a dry cloth behind the fabric.
4. Gently blot the fabric.
5. Allow the fabric to air dry.

Steam Machine Method

1. Rotate the vanes fully open.
2. Set a handheld steamer to its lowest setting (maximum 212°F / 100°C).
3. Hold the steamer approximately 2–3 inches from the fabric.
4. Move slowly from top to bottom using vertical passes.
5. Allow the fabric to air dry.

Note: Do not steam:

• Provenance® Woven Wood Shades
• Motorized headrails or valances
• Products whose care instructions do not recommend steaming

Pirouette® Fabric Precautions

Do not apply water-repellent products, such as Scotchgard™, to Pirouette® Window Shadings.

Spot cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning, and injection/extraction cleaning are not recommended for Pirouette® fabrics because these methods may permanently distort or damage the fabric.

Find Cleaning Instructions for Your Product

Select your Hunter Douglas product family below to view product-specific cleaning recommendations.

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