When the temperature drops and the central heating kicks in, your blinds and shutters end up on the front line. 

Condensation gathers on cold panes, radiators stir up dust, and we open windows far less than we should. The result is a perfect storm for grubby louvres, stiff mechanisms and – if you’re unlucky – warped slats. 

The fix isn’t complicated. A few smart habits and a short list of “absolutely do nots” will keep your window dressings looking sharp and working smoothly all winter.

Why Winter Is Hard on Window Dressings

Winter creates a constant clash of warm indoor air with cold glass, which encourages moisture to settle on frames, sills and slats. That damp hangs around longer because we ventilate less when it’s chilly. 

At the same time, radiators and fires lift fine dust into the air, and it inevitably finds its way onto cords, tapes and louvres. Understanding this cycle – moisture plus heat plus dust – helps you cut problems off at the source: reduce humidity where you can, dry surfaces promptly and clean with a light hand.

The Five-Minute Weekly Reset

Little and often beats a big spring-clean every time. 

Give your blinds or shutters a quick once-over each week using a dry microfibre cloth to lift dust rather than smear it. If you spot a mark, dab it with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild washing-up liquid, then buff it dry straight away. 

Finish by operating the blind fully – raise, lower and tilt – so cords, ladders and hinges don’t stiffen with disuse. This ritual takes minutes but prevents the slow build-up that becomes a pain later.

The Absolute Go-To Tips

The golden rule is to keep water to a minimum. Lukewarm water with a tiny amount of gentle detergent is all you need for spot cleaning, and it should be followed by immediate drying to prevent swelling, streaks or water marks. 

Maintain healthy humidity indoors – think trickle vents open, extractor fans running during showers and cooking, and a short daily “airing” with slats tilted open. If mechanisms feel a bit sticky, apply a touch of silicone lubricant to metal components only, using a cloth rather than spraying near fabric or wood. 

Lastly, look after the sill: if it’s damp, the moisture wicks straight into the bottom slats or panels.

What to Avoid in Winter

The quickest way to ruin blinds or shutters in winter is to soak them. Wood and excess water are not friends; swelling, warping and finish damage follow fast. 

Steer clear of bleach, solvent-based sprays and abrasive pads that strip coatings and weaken cords. Give steam cleaners a miss too – high heat and moisture together can delaminate edges and twist slats. 

Resist the urge to speed-dry with a hairdryer or heater, which creates uneven expansion. And don’t keep blinds permanently down with no airflow; shut-in moisture becomes mould before you know it.

Care by Material: Do It Right

Wooden blinds and real-wood shutters deserve a gentle touch. Dry dust weekly, deal with marks using a barely damp cloth and dry immediately, and avoid furniture polishes or oils that attract more dust. 

Keep direct radiator heat off painted or stained panels where possible. Faux-wood (PVC or composite) blinds are more forgiving in steamy kitchens and bathrooms; a mild wipe and prompt dry is usually enough, but even here abrasives will scuff the finish. 

Aluminium Venetians prefer light handling – support the slat with your hand while wiping to avoid kinks, and use a mild solution to lift fingerprints before drying. 

For fabric rollers and Romans, vacuum with a soft brush and blot stains rather than rubbing; too much moisture can loosen adhesives, especially when the room is humid. Honeycomb or duette blinds benefit from a gentle vacuum along the pleats; avoid getting water into the cells, where it can sit and breed mould.

Taming Condensation and Mould

Condensation is inevitable in winter, but you can stop it lingering. Each morning, give the window recess a chance to dry by raising the blind or tilting the shutter louvres open for half an hour. 

Run extractors during and after cooking or showering and crack a window where practical. If droplets appear on the bottom edge of the blind or on the sill, wipe them away quickly and dry the area. 

In stubborn rooms, a small dehumidifier or discreet moisture absorbers make a noticeable difference, especially behind long drops or in deep bays where air struggles to circulate.

Keeping Mechanisms Smooth

Mechanisms hate grime and inactivity. If a roller or Venetian headrail feels sticky, operate it fully a couple of times to redistribute tension, then wipe the visible track with a dry cloth. If it still catches, apply a whisper of silicone to the metal components using a cloth – never to fabric, cords or wood. 

Squeaky shutter hinges respond well to a dot of dry PTFE or silicone lubricant. Frayed cords, bent slats or broken clips should be replaced rather than patched; a bodge job only shifts the problem down the road.

A Monthly Mini M.O.T.

Once a month, give everything a slow look. Gently tighten loose brackets and hinge screws, test child-safety cleats and chain tensioners, and check edges on rollers and Romans for early signs of lifting. 

Painted shutters usually need nothing more than a dry wipe to refresh the sheen; avoid polishes, which can leave residue. Spotting issues early is cheaper and easier than waiting for a full failure in February.

Red Flags Worth Acting On

A musty smell, faint grey spotting or persistent damp around the bottom of a blind or shutter needs attention now. Treat the surface with an appropriate mould cleaner, dry thoroughly, and improve ventilation in that space. 

Warped slats or panels mean the item has been overexposed to moisture or heat – stop wet cleaning, reduce nearby heat sources and speak to a professional. If a blind starts tracking to one side as it rolls, a fitter can realign it before fabric creases set in.

The Bottom Line

Winter itself isn’t the enemy; stale moisture and heavy-handed cleaning are. 

Keep dust down with dry cloths, use the lightest touch of lukewarm water for marks, dry immediately, and let your window dressings breathe every day. Avoid harsh chemicals, steam and soaking, and treat mechanisms with a sparing dab of the right lubricant. 

With a few five-minute habits and a watchful eye, your blinds and shutters will stay clean, quiet and perfectly presentable until the first signs of spring – no drama, no warping, and no marathon clean-up required.

Should you have any questions or would like any more information in regards to our product ranges, then please contact the Fraser James Blinds team. We are professional, yet friendly and always more than happy to help. Should you prefer, you can also arrange a home visit at a time that works best for you.