Care & Maintenance Guide

Roller Blinds

Operation of Roller Blinds

Well Made Blinds offers two different types of controls for Roller Blinds:

Cleaning Roller Blinds

Cleaning of Roller Blinds is reasonably simple. You can choose to do it yourself or have them professionally cleaned. If you decide to clean them yourself, please follow the instructional steps listed:

1. Regular dusting: Most dust can be removed with the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. If you do not have one of these brushes, try a cotton sock over your hand or a feather duster. Dust from top to bottom.
2. Light marks: To remove light marks on the Roller Blind, use a new, damp microfiber cloth. Avoid excess moisture on the cloth — the fabric should be damp, not wet.
3. Stubborn marks: For stubborn marks, you may need to use a mild cleaning agent (diluted dish soap). This should be tested on a small inconspicuous area first to ensure the cleaning agent will not damage the fabric. Before using any cleaning agent, we recommend contacting our showroom for further advice.
4. Eraser method: If the mark still has not been removed, try removing it with a light rub of a soft rubber or art eraser. Use gentle circular motions.
5. Spot cleaning: For sunscreen fabrics, spot clean gently. Do not scrub aggressively as this may damage the weave.

Honeycomb (Cellular) Blinds

Operation

Honeycomb blinds operate with a continuous loop chain or cordless lift system. Raise and lower gently to maintain even tension. For cordless systems, press the bottom rail firmly to lock into position.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Use a soft brush attachment on low suction or a hairdryer on cool setting to blow dust from the honeycomb cells. Never push dust into the cells.
• Spot cleaning: For minor marks, gently dab with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not rub — this can damage the fabric structure.
• Avoid moisture: Honeycomb blinds trap air for insulation; excessive moisture can lead to mould growth inside the cells. Never submerge or wet clean the entire blind.
• Stains: For stubborn stains, professional cleaning is recommended.

Venetian Blinds

Operation

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Dust slats regularly with a feather duster, microfiber cloth, or the brush attachment of your vacuum. Always dust in the closed position, working from top to bottom.
• Deep cleaning: For aluminium or PVC, wipe slats individually with a soft, damp cloth and mild dish soap. Dry immediately to prevent water spots.
• Timber venetians: Use only a dry or slightly damp cloth. Never saturate timber. Use furniture polish occasionally to maintain lustre — avoid spray contact with tilt mechanisms.
• Stubborn marks: For aluminium/PVC, a mild all-purpose cleaner can be used. Test first. For timber, consult a specialist.
• Tapes and cords: Wipe ladder tapes and lift cords gently with a damp cloth. Replace if frayed or worn.

Vertical Blinds

Operation

Use the chain or wand to traverse the blinds open and closed. Use the tilt wand to rotate louvers. Operate smoothly and avoid forcing the mechanism if resistance is felt.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Dust louvers regularly with a soft brush or vacuum brush attachment. Clean in the closed, overlapping position.
• Fabric louvers: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For deeper cleaning, many fabric louvers are removable and can be gently hand washed. Hang to dry immediately to prevent creasing.
• PVC louvers: Wipe with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry.
• Headrail: Dust the headrail mechanism carefully. Do not lubricate — this attracts dust and can cause buildup.
• Stubborn stains: Professional cleaning is recommended for fabric vertical blinds.

Roman Blinds

Operation

Roman blinds operate via chain control or motorisation. Raise and lower gently to maintain even folding. Never force the blind past its fully raised or lowered position.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Gently vacuum with a soft brush attachment on low suction. Never push dust into the folds — work from top to bottom.
• Spot cleaning: Lightly dab marks with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not rub — this can crush the fabric pile or cause fading.
• Fabric care: Check the fabric care label. Most Roman blinds are dry-clean only due to the backing and lining.
• Professional cleaning: For annual deep cleaning, we recommend professional dry cleaning. Inform the cleaner that the blind has a backing board and lining.
• Crease removal: Light creases often fall out naturally. For stubborn creases, use a handheld steamer on low setting — keep at least 30cm from fabric.

Panel Glide Blinds

Operation

Panel glides operate via wand or motorisation. Glide panels smoothly along the track. Avoid pulling panels at an angle — this can derail the carriers.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Wipe panels with a soft, dry cloth or vacuum with brush attachment.
• Fabric panels: Spot clean with damp cloth and mild detergent. Test on underside first. Avoid excess moisture.
• Track maintenance: Vacuum the track regularly to remove dust and debris. Wipe with a dry cloth.
• Carriers: Inspect carriers (gliders) annually. If panels become difficult to move, check for debris in the track — do not lubricate.
• Stubborn marks: Professional cleaning recommended for large stains.

Vision Blinds

Operation

Vision blinds (also known as day/night blinds) feature alternating sheer and solid fabric bands. Operate via chain or motor. Adjust to align solid bands for privacy or sheer bands for filtered light.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Gently vacuum with soft brush attachment on low suction. Avoid catching the fabric bands in the vacuum nozzle.
• Spot cleaning: Lightly dab marks with a damp white cloth and mild detergent. Do not rub — this can distort the fabric bands.
• Between bands: Use compressed air or a hairdryer on cool setting to remove dust trapped between the sheer and solid layers.
• Avoid moisture: Excessive moisture can cause the fabric bands to stick together. Keep cleaning solutions minimal.
• Professional cleaning: For thorough cleaning, professional service is recommended.

Curtains

Operation

Operate curtains by hand or with a traverse wand. Open and close smoothly — avoid jerking the fabric.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Vacuum curtains gently with a soft brush attachment. Work from top to bottom.
• Spot cleaning: Blot stains immediately with a clean, dry cloth. For water-safe fabrics, use mild detergent and water — test first.
• Fabric care: Always check the manufacturer’s care label. Many curtains are dry-clean only.
• Professional cleaning: We recommend professional curtain cleaning every 1–2 years depending on environment.
• Steaming: Light steaming can refresh curtains and remove minor creases. Keep steamer moving and avoid saturating fabric.
• Linings: Vacuum lining separately. Sun-damaged linings should be replaced to protect the face fabric.

Veri Shades®

Operation

Veri Shades® are specialist external shading solutions. Operate via crank handle, wand, or motorisation. Extend and retract fully — do not leave partially extended in high winds.

Cleaning

• Regular cleaning: Hose down with fresh water to remove dust, salt (coastal areas), and pollutants. Use a soft brush for stubborn dirt.
• Fabric: Clean with mild soapy water and a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly. Never use pressure washers — they can damage fabric coatings.
• Frame: Wipe powder-coated frames with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
• Drying: Allow fabric to air dry fully before retracting to prevent mould and mildew.
• Mechanism: Inspect moving parts annually. Lubricate pivot points with silicone spray only — never oil-based lubricants.
• Winter storage: In extreme weather, consider retracting and covering or removing fabric cassettes.

Crimsafe, Doors, Grilles & Flyscreens

Operation

Operate security doors and screens smoothly. Avoid slamming. Check magnetic catches and hinges regularly for alignment.

Cleaning

• Regular cleaning: Clean Crimsafe mesh with a soft brush or vacuum to remove dust and cobwebs. Wash with mild soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge.
• Rinse thoroughly: Always rinse with clean water after washing to prevent soap residue.
• Frames: Wipe frames with a soft, damp cloth. For powder-coated finishes, avoid harsh chemicals.
• Track maintenance: Vacuum and wipe sliding door tracks regularly. Apply silicone lubricant to rollers annually — never use oil-based products.
• Magnetic catches: Clean magnet surfaces with a damp cloth. Remove metal debris that may affect sealing.
• Flyscreen mesh: Gently vacuum with soft brush attachment. For deeper cleaning, remove screens and wash with mild soapy water, rinse, and air dry completely before reinstalling.
• Coastal areas: In salt-air environments, rinse security doors and screens with fresh water weekly to prevent corrosion.

Maintenance

• Hinges: Check hinge screws annually — tighten if loose. Apply silicone lubricant to pivot points.
• Seals: Inspect weather seals annually. Replace if cracked or compressed.
• Lock mechanisms: Apply graphite powder to lock cylinders — never oil.

Plantation Shutters

Operation

Operate shutter panels by opening and closing them gently. Use the tilt rod to adjust louvre angles. Never force stiff louvres — this can damage the tilt mechanism.

Cleaning

• Regular dusting: Dust louvres regularly with a feather duster, microfiber cloth, or vacuum brush attachment. Dust in the closed position, working from top to bottom.
• Timber shutters: Wipe with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth. Never saturate timber. Use quality furniture polish occasionally to maintain finish — avoid overspray on hinges and tilt rods.
• PVC/Composite shutters: Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry immediately to prevent water spots.
• Between louvres: Use compressed air or a hairdryer on cool setting to remove dust between overlapping louvres.
• Tilt rod: Wipe the tilt rod clean. If stiff, check for debris — do not lubricate.
• Hinges: Check hinge screws annually. Tighten if loose. Apply silicone lubricant if squeaking — use sparingly.
• Stubborn marks: For timber, consult a furniture specialist. For PVC, a mild all-purpose cleaner may be used — test first.

Roller Shutters

Operation

Operate roller shutters via hand crank, strap, or motorisation. Extend and retract fully each time. Do not stop partially in high wind conditions. For motorised shutters, refer to separate operating instructions.

Cleaning

• Regular cleaning: Hose down shutters with fresh water to remove dust, salt, and pollutants. For ground-level shutters, wash with mild soapy water and a soft brush or sponge.
• High-rise shutters: Professional cleaning recommended for upper-level installations.
• Slats: Clean each slat section as the shutter descends. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue.
• Guide tracks: Inspect and clean tracks annually. Remove debris, leaves, and spider webs. Wipe with a damp cloth.
• Hood/cassette: Dust and wipe the protective hood. Ensure drainage holes are clear.
• Coastal areas: Rinse weekly with fresh water to prevent salt corrosion.

Maintenance

• Lubrication: Apply silicone-based lubricant to guide tracks annually. Never use oil-based lubricants — they attract dust and can cause buildup.
• Springs: Torsion springs are under high tension — do not attempt adjustment. Contact our service team if operation becomes uneven or noisy.
• Motor: For motorised shutters, check power supply and test emergency manual override annually.
• Weather seals: Inspect bottom bar seal annually. Replace if cracked or compressed.

Awnings

Operation

Awnings operate via hand crank, wand, or motorisation. Extend and retract fully each time. Never leave awnings partially extended in windy conditions— this stresses the fabric and mechanism. Retract in high winds, heavy rain, or during extended periods of non-use.

Cleaning

• Regular cleaning: Brush off loose dirt and leaves with a soft broom or brush. Hose down with fresh water.
• Deep cleaning: Use mild soapy water (dish soap is suitable) and a soft bristle brush. Clean fabric in sections, working from top to bottom.
• Rinse thoroughly: Rinse with clean water until all soap residue is removed. Soap residue attracts dirt and can cause mildew.
• Drying: Allow fabric to air dry completely before retracting. Never retract a wet awning — this leads to mould and fabric deterioration.
• Stubborn stains: For oil/grease, use a degreaser formulated for acrylic fabrics. Test first. For mould/mildew, use a diluted bleach solution (1:10) — rinse immediately and thoroughly.
• Frame: Wipe powder-coated frames with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners.

Maintenance

• Fabric tension: Check fabric tension annually. Fabric can stretch over time and may require adjustment. Contact our service team for tensioning.
• Arms and joints: Inspect pivot points annually. Apply silicone lubricant to moving parts — never oil-based products.
• Springs: Internal springs maintain arm tension. If the awning sags or won’t stay extended, springs may need replacement.
• Motorised awnings: Test remote batteries annually. Check wind sensor calibration if equipped.
• Valance: Inspect valance (front flap) for wear. Replace if frayed or detached.