How to Care for Your Custom Window Treatments (And Why Lifetime Warranties Matter)

This is the second project I've done for this couple. She's on faculty at Cal Poly, he relocated from the Bay Area, and together they've been slowly, room by room, turning their house into the home they actually pictured when they bought it. This round was Hunter Douglas Duettes for a remodeled space, and it's a good excuse to talk about something people rarely ask about until years later: how do you actually take care of these things?

Cellular Shades (Like Duettes)

Dust regularly with a soft brush attachment rather than a cloth, which can push dust into the honeycomb pleats instead of removing it. Avoid harsh cleaners, a barely damp cloth is usually enough for the fabric surface.

Wood and Faux Wood Blinds

Wipe louvers closed, one direction, with a microfiber cloth or duster. For real wood, avoid soaking it, moisture is the enemy of a wood blind's finish over time.

Drapery

Depends entirely on the fabric, some are machine washable, most aren't. When in doubt, a light vacuum with a brush attachment and occasional professional steaming will keep most drapery looking sharp for years.

Why the Warranty Matters More Than People Think

Hunter Douglas's lifetime warranty on products like Duettes isn't just a sales point, it's a real signal about how the product is expected to hold up over decades of actual use, not just a showroom. For a couple investing in their home one room at a time, that's the kind of detail that should factor into the decision.

Getting Started

Already have custom treatments and not sure how to care for a specific piece? Ask. Happy to help even if I wasn't the one who installed it.