About Us
Welcome to BlindCleaners.biz
Welcome to the online home of the Blind Cleaners Network and OnSite Fabricare. Here you will find resources for professionally-minded blind and drapery cleaners. Our mission is to support independent cleaners in this niche industry by providing valuable resources, training, and networking opportunities.
As a community of like minded blind and drapery cleaners we share common interests in improvement and excellence in our trade craft. Our mission is threefold. We represent blind cleaners’ interests with fabricators and consult with them on cleaning practices for their products. We promote consumer understanding and awareness of our services as we aid connection with local cleaners. We support local business owners (of all sizes) offering blind and drapery cleaning services. Our goal is to see a greater recognition of the services our Members provide, as we seek to elevate industry standards working with all the parties involved.
As mentioned, our network includes a diverse range of participants, from aspiring entrepreneurs to seasoned professionals. We also welcome fabricators, companies, and individuals offering goods or services beneficial to our members, fostering mutually beneficial business relationships.
Networking
For over twenty years now we have demonstrated our commitment to empowering blind and drapery cleaners through the publication of our BlindCleaners.biz Newsletter. Well over 500 subscribers can enjoy pertinent articles, trade tips, and insights relevant to both seasoned professionals or novices. Our expanding network connects Members across North America (and other countries) providing a valuable reference point for consumers seeking knowledgeable local service providers. Participants in the network find connection and encouragement through interactions with others in the industry.
Webinars
Webinars covering a broad range of trade topics are one educational tool popular with Members or prospects interested in learning more about this business. While most are “Members Only” on specific topics for professional development and training, quarterly sessions on introductory topics are open to Newsletter subscribers. These sessions are a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, professional development, and ensuring our community stays informed about the latest industry trends and techniques. They also allow participants to interact with other veterans in the trade and to learn from each other’s experience and share with each other.
Training
Our training program is unique, different on purpose. Unlike other industry “trainings” promoted by those who are actually selling equipment or business opportunities to boost their own success, our training philosophy emphasizes real-world experience and hands on activities in a actual full time blind and drapery cleaning shop operation. We focus on providing practical, hands-on skills that will shortening one’s learning curve to success in building their own business. Our goal is to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to leave with confidence you can succeed in this niche field. You will get advice to filter and apply as appropriate, not aggressive sales pitches promoting equipment, chemicals or branding that detracts from building your own corporate identity.
- Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning: Learn the fundamentals behind how it works, what to do and how different machines, techniques and cleaning chemistries impact one’s results. (True, it is not “rocket science”, but knowing the science really does matter!)
- On-Site Fabricare Specialist Certification: We continue the training pioneered by Jeff Berkowitz in the 1990’s for custom window treatments for Hunter Douglas and others. With updated materials and a focus on today’s fabrics, we still qualify this generation’s Certified On-Site Fabricate Specialists with hands on work in our training facility. Hunter Douglas, Springs Window Fashions (and other major fabricators and designers) recommend using our Certified cleaners – due to their background and knowledge (over other “professionals” with unknown product cleaning expertise).
People have different learning styles. Our training format blends interactive classroom instruction and hands-on sessions. Participants learn the basics of safely cleaning various window treatments with multiple methods using the different types of equipment or common accessories. Our experienced professionals provide personalized guidance, ensuring your questions are answered and your training needs are met. Whether participating as an experienced cleaner or novice, one will notice there is a scope and sequence to the material from foundational to practical application in the cleaning procedures. It all melds together in a way that makes sense and enhances one’s skill set.
“Recertification” or advanced programs build on top of the basics with a focus on operations and business related issues as well as more advanced cleaning techniques or knowledge to elevate one’s skills or operation, when properly implemented.
There are opportunities to explore cleaning custom window treatments, whether the goal is full time or part time cash flow. Taking the time to learn the best practices for efficiently, effectively and profitably cleaning high end decor is well worth the investment! Far to many small operators struggle along failing to really turn the corner to profitability and ultimately fail because they “could not afford” to invest the time or money to learn several key skills that would make all the difference. Why flounder along independently? There is a wealth of supportive, friendly professionals in our community, with technical information unavailable anywhere else.
Administration
Bert Bolton, our Administrator, brings a wealth of experience from both his decades in education and now decades in a Chicago region blind and drapery cleaning business.
Bert oversees network activities, develops educational content, website resources and provides technical support as well as consulting/training activities at our facility (or yours).
Contact Bert with technical questions or for making connections to others who might be better able to answer or provide a solution.
Kristin Fencil, our dedicated Administrative Assistant, manages membership support, product orders, Newsletter distribution, website updates, customer referrals, and other administrative tasks to keep everything running smoothly.
Contact Kristin for general information questions and support relative to the network, supplies or training registrations.
Feel free to contact us for technical support, membership queries, or to update your company information. We maintain an industry database, so even if one is not a Member, we can help with connections and general helpful resources.
The support of faithful Members makes all that we do together in the industry possible! As individual business owners we collectively have neither the time nor the clout – but represented as a unit collectively together, we are able to multiple the impact to the benefit of all involved.
