Blog

How to Clean Venetian Blinds

If you are lucky enough to own a set of Venetian blinds, cleaning them often will ensure they look as fresh and stylish as the day they were first bought. Dust can build up quite quickly on Venetian blinds, so it is important to keep on top of it so they don’t get too dirty. As they have a slanted, slatted design, it can be easy to miss them when cleaning your house, but they are just as important as any shelf or table!

Most of the time, you can easily get away with some light cleaning on your Venetian blinds to keep them looking clean and fresh. However, on occasion is it worth giving your Venetian blinds a deeper clean to really get into those areas you could’ve missed with a lighter clean.

Look After Your Venetian Blinds

Taking proper care of your blinds means that not only will they serve your space for many years, but they will be easier to clean and look better for longer. They are a stylish window covering option and, when kept in good condition, can look fantastic.

As with anything, taking good care of your product means it is less likely you will need to replace it in the future any time soon.

What Material Are Your Venetian Blinds?

There are various different Venetian blind styles available on the market in a range of different materials. For this reason, cleaning your blinds can vary depending on the blind material you have in your home.

How To Clean Wooden Venetian Blinds

Wooden Venetian blinds are an ever popular blind option among homeowners, certain to enhance the appearance of any space. Keeping this particular blind material regularly cleaned is key to seeing your blinds look their best for many years.

As with any product you own that is made of wood, a lot of moisture, such as water or heavy cleaning products, can be very damaging as it is a natural material. If the wrong products are used, this can cause your blinds to warp or snap. For this reason, we would recommend avoiding the use of any liquid when giving your wooden Venetian blinds a light clean or a deep clean.

The easiest way to clean your wooden Venetian blinds is to close the slats in one direction and wipe across each slat with a dry cloth or a feather duster. If you make sure to clean your blinds in a downwards direction, this will help ensure that the slats don’t shift or change position. Once you have dusted the tops, open the slats and close them again in the opposite direction so that you can clean the undersides.

Any stubborn marks on your wooden blinds can be removed using a damp cloth. However, do not rub the cloth too vigorously as this could damage the blind itself.

How To Clean Metal Venetian Blinds

Metal Venetian blinds, similarly to wooden Venetian blinds, can gather dust if not cleaned or looked after. Regular dusting and cleaning practises can ensure that your blinds continue to look as good as the day you first got them.

With metal Venetian blinds, you can use cleaning products such as washing up liquid to remove any marks or stains. Once you have removed marks, you can carefully dry them off with a paper towel or dry cloth.

From there, you can dust your blinds similarly to the way you would wooden Venetian blinds. Move your blinds to a closed position and use a duster ot cloth to remove excess dust and dirt from the slats. Once they have been cleaned on this side, they can be moved to the open position and clean the other side of the slats.

For a deeper and more effective clean, a handheld vacuum cleaner can be an effective way of cleaning your Venetian blinds. It is, however, important to keep the suction level low and be gentle when moving the cleaner over your blinds to prevent damage.

Similarly to metal blinds, plastic and synthetic blinds can be treated with a mild detergent and then dusted in the same way.

Deep Cleaning Your Venetian Blinds

Occasionally, your Venetian blinds may be in need of a deeper clean. For metal, plastic and synthetic blinds, you can deep clean these with mild detergent and warm water.

Remove your blinds from the fitting and lay them down fully opened over a ground sheet or blackout down to eliminate the chance of scratching or damaging them. You can then use a bucket filled with warm water and detergent and a soft brush or sponge to gently run the solution over each slat. For more stubborn marks, you may need to repeat the process a few times over, but always be gentle with your Venetian blinds so as not to break them.

Venetian Blinds from A1 Blinds

Here at A1 Blinds, we provide market leading blind solutions for customers in the North East of England, as well as delivery for customers throughout the UK.

Do you want to find out how to clean vertical blinds? Then A1 is the number one for advice and information on blinds. We make made-to-measure blinds with leading quality, and we have 35 years of experience. However, that experience has also given us the knowledge to help you maintain slightly older blinds. Your blinds can go through a lot over the years, meaning dirt and dust can collect on them. As a result, they might need a clean. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean your vertical blinds, and tips to make the process much quicker. And, if you want vertical blinds that are effortless to clean, A1 offers high-quality blinds that are machine washable!

How To Work Out When To Clean Vertical Blinds

If you have vertical blinds in your home, then they might start to look past their best over time. However, it isn’t an issue you can’t fix. Over time, dirt and dust can collect around your blinds, causing their vivid colours to fade and the rest of your home to look less vibrant. By cleaning your blinds, though, you can refresh the look of your living space and prolong their lifespan. But when is the right time to clean your blinds?

While vertical blinds usually attract less dirt than other designs, a layer of dirt and dust can emerge over the top of the blinds slowly. As a result, if you begin to notice it on your blinds, then it could be time to clean them. Should you clean your vertical blinds, though? If you have wooden blinds, then you definitely shouldn’t. Wooden blinds aren’t washable, as detergents and water can harm and damage the timber inside. Because of this, we’ll be focusing on how to clean vertical blinds made from fabric.

You can usually clean fabric blinds, although you should check the manufacturer’s notes before you start. Many older fabric blinds, though, are only hand-washable. As a result, the process of cleaning them up can take a lot of time which you’d rather spend doing something else. At A1 Blinds, though, we’ve designed durable, innovative blinds that are machine-washable!

How To Clean Vertical Fabric Blinds

The first thing to do when cleaning your vertical fabric blinds is to remove their slats from the handrail. Dust them down – so you only need to focus on stains during the cleaning process – before carefully detaching them from the rail. From there, you can wipe the handrail down, ensuring that dirt doesn’t collect there. You could also use a can of compressed air to get to dirt you can’t reach. Once you’ve dusted down the blinds and removed them, it’s time to wash them. All you’ll need is some lukewarm water to soak them in, or you can put them in your washer if they are machine-washable.

It’s important, though, not to wash some blinds in water that’s over 30 degrees, as it could damage their adhesives. If you’re washing your blinds in a machine, it’s crucial to protect them, too. To do it, you could roll the blinds up and wrap them in a pillowcase, making sure the fabric inside them won’t fray. Also, if you’re washing by hand, you can use washing-up liquid or stain remover to get at more resistant marks. However, you shouldn’t use bleach, as this could damage the fabric. After you’ve cleaned your blinds, you can leave them out to dry while they look shiny and new. And, if you need to put them back up quickly for any reason, you can accelerate the process with a hairdryer. Once they’re dry, rehang them on the handrail, and you’ll have clean blinds.

How To Get Clean Vertical Blinds

However, if your blinds don’t clean that easily, it could be time to replace them. You might have vertical blinds that stain easily, get dirty and dusty in a matter of days, and take a lot of time and effort to wash by hand. As a result, you might want to find out how to get clean vertical blinds that stay clean and don’t take up too much of your time to maintain. When you choose A1 Blinds, though, you’ll guarantee a quality investment. Our innovative blinds are highly durable, meaning they won’t get dirty or stain as easily as older designs. Not only that, but they are machine washable, making them much easier to maintain.

We’ve spent 35 years refining our vertical fabric blinds so that you get a great deal for a great design. If you’d like to explore our full range of vertical fabric blinds, then browse our range using our website today. We also offer Roller, Venetian and Roman blinds too, meaning it’s easy to update the look and feel of your living space. Get in touch with A1 today to find out how to get clean vertical blinds that stay clean for years to come!

What are the best blinds for skylights? Skylights can let natural light shine into your living space, but they could let the cold in during the night. Due to this, adding blinds to your skylight or roof window could help you take more control over your home’s climate. With your blinds, you can block out excess sunlight or cold air in an instant, while you can still benefit from your skylight in full. However, there are plenty of types of blinds out there that could work for skylights. As a result, it’s not easy to tell which ones are the best. But when you invest in blinds for skylights with A1 Blinds, you’ll get a broad selection of quality options, all designed to keep you in control of your home.

The Benefits of Blinds for Skylights

Blinds can make a big difference for skylights. That’s because you can get all the benefits of skylights without the drawbacks. With the option to pull the shutters down over the glass section, you’ll be able to stop cold air from entering your home as much. Durable blinds provide an additional layer of insulation, keeping you warm when the winter months come, or the nights draw in. Additionally, blinds can help you control the light in the room more effectively. If you have a skylight in your bedroom, then you might find that the light coming through makes it more difficult to sleep.

With durable blinds, though, you can block out any glow from distracting you at night. With A1 Blinds, you can invest in a clever new design for skylights that makes them more convenient. We offer a wide variety of options which each use durable fabric, ensuring they keep their quality for years to come. Also, we work with leading companies like VELUX to offer their skylight and roof window-oriented designs for your home. Not only that, but you can get blinds for skylights that require no effort at all.

Our fabric blinds, for example, are machine-washable, meaning it takes almost no effort to remove dust and stains. And, if you’d rather not get out of bed to shut your blinds, you can get remote-controlled designs. That way, you can take full control of how your skylight benefits your home.

Blinds for Skylights

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are a brilliant option for skylights. With these easy-to-use designs, you can pull your blinds down with ease over your skylight, insulating your home and reducing glare. Our roller blinds are durable, thanks to the specialised fabric they use – not only that, but you can choose from both patterned and plain designs to get the right look for your living space. A1’s roller blinds also come loaded with little features that make our blinds even better. For example, they contain eyelets, a co-ordinated braid, a selection of bottom edge finishes and control chains that guarantee they’ll operate smoothly. You can also invest in bespoke designs to suit any skylight.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are also an option for skylights. They’re a functional all-rounder, ideal for almost any window or glass area. Venetian blinds use slats that you can alter the angle of, helping you better control the light that enters your home. Not only that, but they come with an aluminium coated finish, making your new blinds resilient to stains, even on hot summer days. Inside your home, you’ll feel the benefits too. At A1 Blinds, we only use the highest quality aluminium and components in our Venetian blinds, ensuring peak performance. You can get a made-to-measure installation, and our blinds are available in gorgeous colours and finishes.

Roman Blinds

You can add some charm to your skylight with the addition of Roman blinds. Roman designs make use of soft, plush fabrics, giving your living space a more homely feel. They’re ideal for a child’s bedroom with a skylight, too, as they can come in a range of colours and fabrics to suit even the brightest, boldest palettes. However, Roman blinds make any room feel as good as it will look. Your new blinds will be able to protect your room not only from cold temperatures at night or in winter but also from light coming in when you’d rather it didn’t. Roman blinds are blackout -lined, meaning they can help you sleep more easily at night.

VELUX Blinds

With A1 Blinds, you can also invest in leading quality blinds for skylights from some of the top manufacturers in the UK. As part of that desire, we’ve partnered with VELUX to offer their blinds. VELUX creates stunning roof windows and skylights, and they design their blinds around them. As a result, you can get shutters which are tailor-made for these situations. VELUX’s designs can be automated, meaning you don’t have to reach your roof to pull the blinds down. Not only that, but they’re chain-free, making them child-safe. Also, they’re fully customisable, meaning you can style them around your living space with ease. They even have a tie-in with Disney, perfect for giving your kids something to look up to.

Invest in Blinds for Skylights with A1

Whichever blinds you think would be best for the skylights in your home, A1 is the number one. Contact us today to find out more about our blinds, or explore our site to discover our full range.

What are the best blinds for bathrooms? Finding the right ones could help you make your home warmer, dryer, and prevent issues developing over time. Blinds play a crucial role in your home, helping you control the light that gets into it, and helping to insulate your living space too.

However, in bathrooms, they could be even more important. Bathrooms get hot and humid, especially after you use them for long baths and showers. As a result, the room can become damp and moist, creating the conditions for condensation to thrive. At A1, though, we’re the number one for a wide range of blinds that are best to protect your bathrooms.

How Do Blinds Protect Bathrooms?

The best blinds can prevent condensation from developing in your bathroom. When you take a bath or shower, the moisture and heat they create can collect inside the room. Because of this, the room becomes humid and damp, which means your windows steam up. Over time, that could develop into condensation, or even mould.

By installing A1’s innovative blinds, you’ll be able to stop the condensation from building up on your windows. That way, they’ll be able to last longer, and you won’t have to worry about health risks or rising repair costs.

Additionally, the best blinds can make a bathroom more private. You’ll be able to tilt the blinds down whenever you need to, meaning no prying eyes will be able to look inside. Not only that, but blinds create another layer of insulation for your bathroom, minimising the amount of cold air that can travel into the room.

As a result, you’ll be able to improve the performance of your home. When you keep the blinds down, you’ll get more warmth and privacy, but you won’t have to lose out on light. You can always open them back up to light your bathroom, and they can improve air circulation to reduce the risk of condensation even further.

Roller Blinds For Bathrooms

Roller blinds are one of the best choices for bathrooms on the market today. Roller blinds use fabrics in the majority of their designs, which can deal with moist conditions. That means, when the room heats up and dampness begins to develop, the fabric can absorb it and prevent that moisture from collecting.

Additionally, A1 offers blackout roller blinds: robust designs that shut out the world around you when you need it. As a result, you’ll get total privacy and peace of mind whenever you go to your bathroom.

Vertical Blinds For Bathrooms

Vertical blinds also provide sufficient protection for your bathroom windows. They use a range of fabrics in their design too, but you’ll be able to benefit from a greater level of choice. For example, you can select vertical blinds with PVC fabrics and chainless weights.

Blinds like these are incredibly resilient, and they can withstand even the hottest, most humid conditions without a hitch. Vertical blinds are also easy to use and open for years to come, giving you total control over the performance of your space.

Venetian Blinds For Bathrooms

Venetian blinds are a design classic from A1, adding leading quality designs to any bathrooms. However, if you have a bathroom that can become damp and wet, these timeless options may not be the right choice. Venetian blinds have slats in their design which aren’t as resilient as other options.

Because of this, dampness and water can corrode each slat over time, meaning the blind wears down over time. If you’d like to find out more about Venetian blinds in bathrooms, though, you can always consult one of A1’s experts.

Roman Blinds For Bathrooms

If you’d like to fit roman blinds for your bathrooms, it may depend on the size of the room. If you have a larger, well-ventilated bathroom, then Roman blinds add real class and complete protection. However, in a smaller room where the humidity can be more intense, Roman blinds aren’t as useful.

However, their sophisticated look is ideal for any room, especially traditional spaces. You’ll bring blinds to your bathroom with a softer design, giving you an ideal balance of light and privacy when you pull them down.

Choose A1 For The Best Blinds For Bathrooms

With A1, finding the best blinds for your bathroom is straightforward. Explore our full range of Roller, Vertical, Venetian and Roman blinds today from the comfort of your own home, and find the ideal option for your home.

With our blinds, you’ll be able to protect your bathroom’s windows from dampness and humidity, as well as provide your home with a little more brightness or privacy. That way, you’ll have more control over the look and feel of your bathroom, whether you’re using it or not.

Get in contact with A1 Blinds today if you’d like to find out more!

Adding a roller blind can quickly and cost effectively transform the look of any room, adding a stylish finishing touch to any design scheme.

What is a Roller blind?

A roller blind is a piece of fabric which fits into the top of your window frame. This can be within or outside of your window recess. They are operated by a side-winding chain attached to the blind casing at the top.

Motorised controls and smart controls are also available giving you the option to open and close your blinds remotely or by speaking to your smart device, for example, your Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

What type of windows are best for roller blinds?

Roller blinds are suitable for almost any type of window and can also be used on doors like patio or bi-fold doors. They are also perfect for bay windows because you can position individual blinds into each window frame. These blinds are also great for Velux roof windows or skylights. They are simple to use and can be operated by using a hook in the mechanism or operated remotely. 

They can be made to measure so that they fit your windows and doors perfectly. Roller blinds can be made very wide or narrow so you can be sure of the perfect fit.

Why choose Roller blinds?

Roller blinds are one of the most versatile blind types and come in a range of designs and finishes that make them perfect for use in different environments.

Blackout, anti-microbial, flame-retardant and moisture repellent options mean they are extremely practical and versatile and can be used in a number of specialist situations.

Roller blinds come in a huge range of different fabrics and designs for you to choose from. Browse our range to see what best suits you.  

What are the benefits of Roller blinds?

Perfect Fit Roller Blinds

Perfect fit blinds allow for easy operation of your uPVC doors and windows. A Perfect fit frame clips into place onto your uPVC window and the made-to-measure Roller blind sits within the Perfect fit frame. There are no cords or chains and no need for drilling into your uPVC window frames.  

To find out more about our perfect fit blinds ask a member of our team.

Motorised blinds

If you have hard-to-reach windows, or multiple Roller blinds for a large room or conservatory, you’ll be pleased to know that Roller blinds from A1 blinds can come with the option of motorised controls. There’s no need for complicated wiring with our motorised roller blinds. Brilliantly efficient rechargeable batteries, last six to twelve months of daily use. Simple & easy to charge, via USB cable with no need to take the blind down.

Link your window blinds to your smart home controller like Amazon Alexa or Google home and control them with your voice. You can even set your blinds to open with your morning alarm and play your favourite tune to help you start the day.

Blackout fabrics for roller blinds

Choosing a roller blind in a blackout fabric can help you get a restful night, every night. It’s often disruptive to your sleep when you wake up early in the summer months and the sun is already shining. A blackout blind can help you get the perfect nights sleep.

Roller blinds with blackout fabric are perfect for nurseries or just anyone where a good sleep routine is important.

Ask your home consultant for more information on our blackout fabric range. 

Are Roller blinds suitable for Kitchens and Bathrooms?

Yes, Roller blinds are extremely suited for Kitchens and bathrooms. In these room’s blinds need to be able to withstands the extremes of the in-house elements, including heat, damp and wet, also spills and staining.

Roller blinds from A1 blinds are available in a choice of performance fabrics including flame-retardant, anti-microbial, wipe clean and moisture resistant, so you can be sure your blinds are up to the job.

To make sure you find the perfect blinds for you, we recommend that one of our experts visit you in your home when convenient. A1 Blinds have a dedicated in-home service, which gives you the ideal opportunity to discover the perfects blinds, curtains or shutters for your décor and have your windows professionally measured. One of our experts will come to you, bringing our wide range along for you to browse through and offer recommendations to match your interior.

During your consultation

Our job is to make your life as easy as possible, with inspiring ideas and practical solutions for your home or office. You’ll find it a relaxing approach to making your interior décor decisions.

Your expert will:

• Take a relaxed approach, offering inspiring ideas and practical solutions
• Bring a selection of fabric and fitting samples for you to view
• Stay as long as you need, usually only around 30 minutes (a little longer for shutters, motorised or conservatory roof blinds)
• Professionally measure your windows
• Offer style tips and practical advice

We will provide you with an affordable, no obligation quote on the day. We never charge for measuring or fitting, and you can rest assured that our expert fitters are experienced in fitting all our products, including blinds, curtains and shutters.

Crafted to the highest standards

Once you have confirmed your estimate and paid the deposit for your order, your made to measure window solutions will be made to the highest standards. Our expert makers will make your chosen curtains or blinds, working with an outstanding range of the finest fabrics and materials, selected by you during your design consultation. We are privileged to partner with specialist blind and shutter manufacturers to offer you premium quality roller, vertical, and venetian blinds, and plantation shutters. 

Expert installation service

All our experts fitters have many years’ experience, so you know they’ll be right first time. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy your newly transformed room.

Convenient and safe

With custom blinds from A1 Blinds you never have to worry about dangling cords that could injure your children or pets. Some of our operating systems include cordless options and retractable wands. This will give you peace of mind and you can also enjoy hooking your custom blinds up to your home automation system or using trendy voice commands to operate your blinds. Motorised blinds are great for large blinds or blinds that are out of reach. They also add a nice touch for people who have trouble getting around. Motorisation works when you are home and when you are away, giving your home a lived-in look even when you are on holiday or out of town.

We’ve been manufacturing and fitting blinds in Newcastle since 1985, and our expert craftsmen use only the best quality materials. From vibrant Verticals to refined Romans, our made to measure blinds suit everyone’s budget and can be fitted within a week. With free measuring and fitting as standard, wherever you are in the North East you can rest assured of receiving the best products and a friendly service – that’s the “A1 promise”.

A1 Blinds wishes to thank everyone involved in their Coffee Morning & Raffle on Friday 30th Sept, we raised over £1000 to help Macmillan Cancer Support which is fantastic news.

With that in mind we would like to thank our Suppliers for donating prizes, everyone who helped or supported in buying or selling raffle tickets, making cakes etc., also many thanks to all the staff who helped by donating their time.

Join us for a nice cuppa and some lovely cakes and goodies. You will also have the chance to win Blinds for your home and many other prizes including Beauty Vouchers, Bottles of Spirits etc.

Help us to raise funds for Macmillan to support those whose lives are affected by cancer.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday 30th.

Starting in July 2011 A1 Blinds will be adding a new high quality selection of PVC Made-to-Measure Venetian Blinds to its range of Aluminium Venetian Blinds.

The pvc range will be available in a large selection of colours including wood effect and will aim to give further choice to the economy & budget range.

A1 Blinds now manufacture and supply retractable Fly Screens for both doors and windows, suitable for both Residential and Commercial use.

This product folds out of sight when not in use and is popular for Conservatories, Patio Doors and Commercial Kitchens such as Restaurants, Hotels, Hospitals, Care Homes etc.

For Company and Commercial clients we now offer a Company Logo Screening Service.

For a professional and corporate look, stand out from other businesses by having your Made-to-Measure blinds screen printed with your Company Logo. Suitable for Shops, Pubs, Restaurants, Offices and Boardrooms.