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Injection-Extraction Blind & Drapery Cleaning Chemicals: What should I use?
Those who are using portable injection-extraction machines like the Kleenrite 204Hx or the old US Products PB3 can use an infinite variety of cleaning chemistry to clean fabric shades, blinds or draperies. In this article we will only be trying to address the most basic knowledge in this category. We assume that professionally minded drapery and blind cleaners will recognize they need to invest in more knowledge, training or work with the chemistries involved to become comfortable with their use on a wider variety of items. Reading a short article like this is NOT a substitute for further research, but rather an introduction to learning that should continue as one's knowledge of various fabrics, types of soiling or stains and their safe removal progresses from the basics to more advanced cases.
What chemicals should be used to clean draperies, fabric blinds or shades all depends upon several common sense limitations. Despite one's best intentions, you can't break the laws of science and change outcomes. Wrong techniques, wrong chemicals or using the wrong things in the wrong ways will always results in poor outcomes. Using chemicals that aren't tolerated by the equipment, fabrics or colors/dyes/paints involved will result in damage that is expensive both in terms of what is done to the window treatment and to one's reputation. Knowing how the construction of the fabric, color applications and the performance of the various chemicals interact is crucial to obtaining great results. What chemistry is the best for any given situation is NOT a matter of the type of window treatment, but of its construction, condition and level or type of soil load. Use of techniques and chemicals for cleaning, flushing, rinsing, spot removal or other specialty work will have consequences. The better ones knowledge, techniques or cleaning chemistry the more likely there is to be a predicable positive results achieved with ones cleaning on a wide variety of treatments.
Dry Cleaning or Wet Cleaning?
Dry Cleaning Chemicals:
Pre-Sprays
Spotting Chemicals:
Wet Cleaning Chemicals:
Pre-Sprays
Degreasers
Spotting Chemicals:
Draft Article - Work in Progress June 2023
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Blind Parts & Repair Resources
When you get into blind repairs sourcing parts is an ongoing challenge. Having an account with Hunter Douglas or Springs Window Fashions or working with a vendor who sells their products is the best way to get access to their common parts. Customer Service support for most major brands are often helpful if you have a readable production sticker and order number etc. Sourcing parts like tilters and end caps requires a hunt for the right vendor. If you do a lot of repairs case/bag lot quantities are fine, but for a smaller volume of repairs and cosmetic fixes on blinds you clean a mix of vendors may be needed.
Caution: Buyer Beware! Check to see if parts are current and available from customer service first - some online stores charge $15 -$40 for parts that are easily found for $3-$6 + shipping elsewhere. You will always pay more for the time and trouble involved with small orders.
Sources for Parts:
1) Fabricators: Use their websites or call customer service - They will often send you (or the consumer) parts if you ask.
Hunter Douglas - They also have an Installer's Program that includes many free parts if you qualify.
Springs Window Fashions
Comfortex
Alta - (Many Hunter Douglas Custom Brands Group parts...) Blindsusa.com
2) After market parts retailers - Websites with Parts for Order
a. FixMyBlinds.com - Great online catalog of pictures and repair videos. (Discount to Blind Cleaner's Network Members Code in Newsletter)
b. GenesIndustry.com
c. Blindsparts.info
d. Discountblindparts.com
e. Rvblindparts.com
f. BlindSpeed-SparkleBlinds.com (Blindcleaners.biz Network Member)
g. BlindParts.com (set up account and you can get a trade discount - before ordering)
3). Current Parts
a. Local blind Fabricators with whom you have opened an account.
They don't like dealing in $1-$5 parts orders unless you do more for their business - as they like to sell blinds.
b. Wholesale Parts Suppliers-Sell in Large Quantities or Case Lots
windowblindsparts.com (fair prices on small quantities)
Genes Industries genesindustry.com (parts for many types of blinds made by independent fabricators)
4). Obsolete Parts
Blindsparts.com - site has pictures for reference or to have customers tell you what they need (over the phone).
** They have more inventory than they show on the internet.
(Note: Patience is needed, as service/reponse times with this vendor can be slow.)
Repairs - Training
1) Blind fabricators offer training for installation and basic repairs.
Hunter Douglas has several classes and online materials for their Certified Installers.
{This program also includes access to their product schematics and parts}
2) Training Classes
Dirtyblinds.com sells a series of online videos that include training in repairs.
{There is an annual fee for access in addition to the initial payment.}
3) Internet Videos and Articles
a) You Tube
Quality and accuracy of the materials is sometimes poor, but good tips can be found.
Use search words like "blind repairs" "cord loop replacement"
b) Internet articles on "How to" sites or instructions on the websites that sell parts.
If you know of other sites that would be helpful. please let us know. Members will find more information relative to repairs, schematics of various blinds etc. in the "Blind Cleaner's Resource Manual" on this site under the Business Resources Menu.