The key to a longer, more attractive life for your drapes, shades, and blinds lies in keeping a sentinel watch out for the dust that continually settles on them. The tools you need are already on duty in other parts of your house: the sturdy brush attachment for the vacuum, a few clean rags, and good old dishwashing liquid.

Drapes

Giving them a regular, thorough dusting will limit wallet-draining trips to the dry cleaner.

Step 1: Gently tug drapes to open pleats. Using a low setting and the brush attachment, vacuum each panel. For delicate or loosely woven fabrics, hold the brush an inch away to avoid pulling.
Step 2: “Pay special attention to the lower foot of the drape and the hem, where dust and dirt accumulate,” says Sergio Finetto of the Silk Trading Company, a Los Angeles drapery maker.
Step 3: To remove smudges (the kind passing pets leave), Finetto applies a bit of baby powder to a clean toothbrush and gently brushes the spot. “The powder protects the fabric and helps lift the dirt.”

Fabric Shades

Water is a no-no for linen, silk, and wool but usually fine for cotton, canvas, and treated fabrics. Be sure to check the tags.

Step 1: Vacuum the shade first, then submerge it (except for any wood or metal mounts) in a bathtub filled with several inches of cool water and two capfuls of Woolite or dishwashing liquid.
Step 2: After 5 to 10 minutes of gently agitating the shade to lift dust and grime, drain the tub completely and refill it with clean water. Move the shade around to rinse it.
Step 3: Blot excess water with a colorfast towel, then use a clothespin to clip the fully extended shade to the shower rod to dry. (If you have a nonwashable shade, try rubbing it gently with a dry-cleaning sponge.)

Wooden Blinds

If wooden blinds are sealed (most are), they can be washed. Always vacuum or dust them thoroughly beforehand.

Step 1: Adjust the blinds so the slats are angled down, toward the floor. In a bucket, prepare a solution of a few capfuls of dishwashing liquid and water.
Step 2: Working one slat at a time, wash each with a damp (not saturated) rag. Use a dry towel to soak up excess water as you go. Flip the blind and repeat on the other side.
Step 3: To clean the cord, pull the shade all the way up so the cord is fully extended. Run the damp rag up and down it once, then follow with the dry towel.