Many of the honeycomb shades have an anti-static application so they don’t collect and certainly don’t attract dust.  Usually the biggest place for dust to collect is on the top of the headrail if the shades  are mounted outside the window trim.   If everything is mounted inside the window trim, dust has a harder time getting to the shades.

If you want to do some cleaning to make you feel better – who really does that?? – you could use the vacuum, canned air, or a hair drier.

If using the vacuum I would draw the shade up within 6-10″ from the top and run the soft vacuum brush over the pleats using your hand to move the pleats up and down to allow the vacuum to get into all the creases.  Occasionally a bug will die inside the cells.  If this happens you could take canned air and shoot the bug, or any dust you think might be inside the cell, out the other side.  You could do this also with a hair drier depending upon how much force your hair drier has.

See, fewer directions for cellular shades.  Much, much easier than blinds to clean.

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I think the current issue about cord safety comes from ready-made shades that you find in the discount stores. These shades are usually installed by the home owner. Instructions and warnings may or may not be there, but often they can be overlooked by the homeowner installer.

The shades we sell and install all provide ways to be safe. We have cordless shades that raise and lower by pulling on the bottom rail, not by a cord. We do have continuous cord shades, but they are always secured at the bottom. We have blinds that have two cords  feeding into one tassel, but when any pressure is put on the cord, the tassel breaks into two pieces and is no longer a loop. Even vertical blinds have cords that are secured at the bottom of the cord loop.

Here are some absolutely easy ways to solve the cord danger problem:

NEVER put a crib or bed under a window.

ALWAYS secure the cord with a cord cleat or hold down attachment.

ALWAYS use a break away tassel so the cord will separate into two separate cords.

Here is a notice I received from my supplier that you might find helpful:

It is also important to understand that this is not a recall in the traditional sense, but a “recall to repair.” The consumer does not actually return any product. Instead, they can contact the Window Covering Safety Council to obtain free CPSC-approved retrofit kits for roman shades and roll-up blinds. Consumers can contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling (800) 506-4636.

Be safe. Give your child or grandchild a hug. Secure those cords.

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Hunter Douglas has developed a new double cell cellular shade called Architella.  There is a complete additional cell inside the outside cell that creates more dead air space and therefore more insulation.  If we would add Mylar to the shade to make it room darkening as well, it would be even more energy efficient.  Of course these shades are available in a variety of colors to match your wall, contrast with your wall, or add an accent to your room.  The shades are always off white on the outside to give uniformity to the outside of your home. 

The cellular shades have an anti-dust feature added to the fabric so dust is not attracted to the shades and they are very easy to care for.   No static cling like  the old aluminum blinds have.  We also added the cordless feature.  There are no external cords on this shade so it is safe for kid’s rooms.  And this window is right by her son’s bed so there will be no worry about him getting tangled in the cords while sleeping.

Solving problems is what we do.  We just happen to solve problems by suggesting a solution that performs well, can save you money, and will look good.  I always enjoy spending money on things that look beautiful. 

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We all know about shades and blinds but it’s their features that set them apart.  And a really cool feature of cellular shades is that they move down from the top and up from the bottom.

In case you don’t think this is any different from a regular shade, let me explain.  When you are looking out the window, you can lower the shade to the bottom of the window and that creates privacy.  But there is a separate set of cords that when you can’t see out, the shade will continue to lower down from the top and you can see out the top of the window but the bottom remains covered.

This is created with two cord systems and two headrails.  One rail is mounted on the frame and always stays there.   The other top rail holds the fabric firmly to keep it from sagging and that rail lowers the shade down from the top, staying attached to the top rail that is mounted on the frame with thin cords.  The cords are very small and after the first week, you don’t notice them at all.

This feature can maintain privacy in your bedroom for example.  The lower part of the window can be covered while you are dressing but you can still see the clouds and birds out the top of the window.  It also gives you privacy while you are reading in the living room. The neighbors can’t see you so they aren’t waving to you as they walk their dog, but you get a great view of the trees and clouds.  When you do want to wave to your neighbors, just raise the shade up with the stack entirely at the top and wave!

And now we can offer this top down/bottom up feature cordless.  So when you raise the shade there isn’t a cord at the side getting longer for the cats to play with or the vacuum to suck up.

It is the little things, after all, that make the difference. 

Related posts:

1. Cord Safety