Tips on Cleaning Dusty Blinds For Fall

Did you know that your blinds and window coverings can be one of the top sources for spreading dust and pollen in your home? You can significantly cut down on the number of airborne irritants in your home just by cleaning your indoor window coverings regularly and properly. The fall is a good time to do it, but really you can start anytime of the year and you should clean your window coverings every six to eight weeks to ensure that your home is as dust free as can be. How To Clean Your Indoor Blinds Or Shutters If you have plastic or wooden indoor blinds, then you?ll want to check out these tips for easy cleaning and maintenance. Start with an initial dusting by running a clean microfiber cloth lengthwise on your blinds. If you don?t have a microfiber cloth, you can use a sock or kitchen towel. Flip your blinds over and repeat to get both sides. It helps if you don?t have a microfiber cloth to slightly dampen your cloth before dusting to help the fabric trap more dust. Spot clean any stains with a toothbrush and a bit of warm soapy water. You can use a tablespoon of dish detergent in about a quart of water to start with. Pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Make sure to not leave any water droplets behind as they trap dust and pollen and can leave stain marks. Finish cleaning by running your vacuum over them with the brush attachment. This will help to dry your blinds more quickly if they are damp and will help to get any extra debris that has accumulated in the nooks and crannies. How To Clean Your Indoor Fabric Shades This is a bit of a different process but it is still easy to do if you do it regularly. The longer you wait between cleanings the harder it will get. Take your vacuum wand with a brush attachment and thoroughly go over both sides of the fabric shades going from top to bottom. Spot treat any stains or gunk buildup with the same soapy water mixture. Just be sure to not brush too hard with your toothbrush (or small cleaning brush if you?re using one instead). Set a box fan in the room for about an hour or two after cleaning to help dry out the coverings faster. Wet fabric will trap dust faster than dry. Check the manufacturer?s instructions, but some fabric window coverings can be dry cleaned. Your results may vary. How To Clean Wooden Blinds These are the trickiest of all because too much water can warp the blinds or leave unsightly stains. Always check the manufacturer?s instructions first, but in general you can use these tips. Dust them first with a microfiber cloth or soft rag or even your vacuum brush attachment. Spot clean with just a few drops at a time of the dish soap mixture. Let dry completely. Oil the wood blinds by using a lemon oil product made for wood or one that is recommended by the manufacturer. Finish by running a fresh fabric softener sheet across the blinds to help prevent dust buildup.

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Fall Home Design Trends

Home decorating trends, much like fashion trends, can be a lot to keep up with in the best of times. This year, we all may need a little extra help staying on top of what is hot and what is not for 2020. We?ve put together a quick home decoration style guide for you to use when decorating your house this fall and holiday season so that your guests (or Zoom audience) will be impressed no matter how far away they are. Here Are Five Interior Home Design Options That Are Trending For 2020 Grandma Chic Is At Its Peak I guess dear ol? granny was right all along. Loud floral print wallpaper and couch patterns are so in right now. ?Chintzy? decorations like tea cozies, embroidered curtains, 60?s mod furniture and lamps are all hot. Don?t forget natural fiber rugs and topiaries! There has never been a better time to call your grandma and ask her advice on home decoration. Also, don?t forget to have her share her chocolate chip cookie recipe with you. 2020 Trends Are Brought To You By The Color Blue That?s right. In addition to grandma being cool again, blue is totally hip these days. See if you can order some loud blue print throw pillows or maybe paint that accent wall a dark blue that will just pop. Everything old is blue again! The Tiger King Of Trends: Animal Prints Are Back Maybe it?s because we?ve been cooped up watching too much Tiger King this year or maybe it?s because animal print rugs and blankets make excellent conversation pieces, but animal print everything has taken 2020 by storm and there is no sign this tiger is slowing down. So, get out there and start decorating your house with pops of cat print unless you?re home with a bad case of cat scratch fever. Designer Roller Shades Roller shades provide an elegant solution that helps provide the soft look of curtains with the ease of use and customization that blinds offer. It?s the best of both worlds and they also provide top notch thermal efficiency which will help you save money on your heating bill this fall and winter. Call us today for a free custom quote! Bringing The Outside In Is? In For 2020 Summer may be over, but with the leaves and plants turning a stunning array of colors, fall has its own merits for sure. A big trend for 2020 is bringing parts of nature indoors to add much needed variety and vibrance. Take some trimmed branches with orange and yellow leaves on them and place them in a large vase or bowl to add a fresh touch of the outdoors to your kitchen or dining room. You can even make a fall wreath for your front door out of foraged pieces of fall branches. The sky?s the limit! With all things fashion and decoration, there is a season and a time to change things up. When it comes to your window coverings like blinds, shades, shutters, and even awnings, Blind Appeal can help you get the highest quality modern products for the best value. Get ahold of us today to see the Blind Appeal Difference for yourself!

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October is Blind Safety Month

It's that time of year again! Time to spread awareness about blind safety and how you can take steps to make sure your home is safe and secure for your children. For those of you not in the know, October is National Window Covering Safety Month. Each year, it provides a chance for a national conversation and education about steps you can take to ensure your window coverings are child safe in the United States. About Window Covering Safety Month Window Covering Safety Month was started by the Window Covering Safety Council which itself was started in 1994 by a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings dedicated to educating consumers about window cord safety. What You Can Do To Help The safety of our children is up to us! We have to be vigilant and mindful of all potential safety hazards in and around the home, and that includes window coverings. To help spread the word and build awareness for this important safety campaign, you can do a few things. First, you can share this PDF information packet via email or over social media. You can also share this childproofing checklist as well to your friends and family and over social media. Regardless of whether your share those or not, you can hop on social media and share posts with this hashtag #CordSafety and #WindowCoveringSafetyMonth. Jump in the conversation and help educate others and improve safety! Second, you can go to their website and check out their blog which is very informative and full of great safety tips. Everything you need to ensure your home window coverings are safe for your children is there! Best for Kids? Certification Program When you?re shopping for new window coverings like blinds or shades, ask your salesperson about the ?Best For Kids? certification on products that they have available. When a product is certified as ?Best For Kids? that means that it has met certain safety criteria and has undergone rigorous safety testing in order to earn that badge. It is a great program and can help consumers make informed decisions on the safety value of the window coverings they are about to buy. To learn more about the ?Best For Kids? certification, please check out this webpage and look for the ?Best For Kids? label on your next window covering purchase. Take The October 2020 Window Covering Safety Council Quiz! What do you know offhand about window covering safety? Test your knowledge with this handy online quiz that will test your mettle when it comes to window covering safety. Updated for 2020, this quiz is a handy tool that will help you learn more about this important cause and is easily shareable via social media so you can help spread the word. It also covers different types of home safety tips like fire safety and furniture safety. Think you can pass with a perfect score? Try your hand at it and share it with your friends by clicking here and filling out the questions below. Good luck and stay safe!

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Getting To Know Us: Introducing Mike and Sean

We are excited to bring you the next interview segment in our ongoing employee interview series. Mike Van Artsdalen, Director of Operations, and Sean Arroues, Warehouse Manager, have been an absolutely integral part to the Blind Appeal team for over half a decade now. We are so excited to be able to bring our readers a little bit more information about them in this interview. Without further ado, say hello to Mike and Sean! Meet Mike Van Artsdalen! How long have you worked for Blind Appeal? I have been with Blind Appeal for six years. What is your favorite part about working for Blind Appeal? Working with family and friends. Everyone seems to work well together for the most part. It?s awesome to work for a company where most everyone does what they can to better the company as a whole. What is your favorite part about being Director of Operations? There always seems to be new different challenges. Over the years I have had the opportunity to learn different aspects of the company. Since I have worked for Blind Appeal, I have done marketing, installs, managing installers, warranty, and sales. It's hard to get bored when you are always learning new things and dealing with new challenges. Meet Sean Arroues! How long have you worked for Blind Appeal? Seven years and two months. What is your favorite part about working for Blind Appeal? Family is family ??????. What is your favorite part about being Warehouse Manager? My favorite part of working in the warehouse is, everyday brings a new and challenging experience. If you?re looking for a mundane, everyday is the same type of work... Then search elsewhere ??. And there you have it! We are a family owned and operated company that strives to bring our customers the utmost in quality blinds, shades, shutters, exterior shades, and custom draperies. If you have been thinking about updating your window coverings, give us a call ! One of the members of our wonderful sales team would love to talk with you about the services we offer and provide you with a free estimate, all from the comfort of your own home! Our sales staff can walk you through all of the details. Request your free quote today!

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Shutter Brands And Features

There are so many high quality shutters out there that it makes it difficult to find the exact right one that is best for your home and your needs. Well fret no more! We have put together a quick reference guide in this article that will help you learn a little bit more about the types of shutters there are and their features. If you like what you see, then don?t hesitate to reach out to our amazing sales team ! They would love to hear from you and will be happy to answer any questions about shutters or any other window covering you might have. Shutter Crafts Shutter Crafts shutters are made in Idaho and are an Idaho company, located in Nampa. If you want to support local and still have amazing shutters, then this is the place for you! Here are some of their shutter features. Shutter Crafts Plantation Shutters Superb light and noise control Better energy efficiency Easy to clean Classy appearance Increased durability Custom built for your windows Custom paint and stain finishes Years of hassle-free operation Contributes to the resale value of your home Available in either hardwood or PolyWood Hunter Douglas NewstyleŽ Hybrid Shutters Similar to the Norman Ultra, these are also high quality composite shutters that combine real wood with manmade materials to create a powerful, durable, and high performance window covering. Here are some of their key features: Proprietary Softclose? Louvers system. Makes it easy to open and shut your shutters with the touch of a finger Hybrid materials means you get the best of both worlds when it comes to having the look and feel of wood with the added durability of polypropylene Finetech Finish means that this low-luster finish replicates the warmth and character of hardwood UltraGrain finish makes the final product look and feel just like natural wood Handcrafted quality in their dovetail design which helps increase strength and durability Can fit a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your residential or commercial needs Hunter Douglas Palm Beach? Polysatin? Shutters Perfect for hot and humid climates. Whether at the beach house or at a cabin in a rainy area, these shutters will not warp, peel, fade, or chip Great water resistance due to the unique polystain compound that make them perfect for humid climates The DuraLux? finish makes your shutters look like hand painted wood featuring rich matte finishes Motorized. These shutters can be equipped with their special PowerView automation system to help make your entire home hands free NormanŽ Ultra Shutters Norman is a brand synonymous with quality. Their Ultra line is no different! The Ultra line is the culmination of over 20 years of innovation and craftsmanship. Check out these highlights! Made with over 30% more wood than their traditional wood composite shutters which makes them stronger, bigger, and more robust Invisible hinge design offers a contemporary and clean look Prescription wood conditioning. They will specially treat your wood depending on the climate your home is in to ensure a long lasting fit and durability Specialized ?Invisible Tilt? louvers make it look like your shutters are moving like magic Mobile app ready so you can control your whole home from your smartphone Heirloom joinery. Solid and elegant joinery makes these shutters beyond compare Tons of color and finish options to make them fit into any home or office space Graber Shutters Graber shutters are very high quality and come in a variety of styles and configurations. They offer two main categories of shutters: Wood and Composite. Wood Shutters Hand crafted from real wood Adds a more timeless elegance than a synthetic material Environmentally sustainable and friendly woods and stains used Lots of color and stain depth options to choose from Customizable to fit your home Perfect for a ?cabin? inspired decorating scheme or a modern rustic theme Composite Shutters Offer real wood style, but at a lesser cost More durable than wood and more stain/blemish resistant Perfect for homes in high humidity climates Resists warping and flexing in extreme warm or cold weather Paneling as wide as 36? which makes them ideal for larger windows and offers a clearer outside view Still need help deciding? Give us a call today ! We are happy to answer any questions you may have and give you a free quote.

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Getting To Know Us: Introducing Chris Meyers!

We are blessed to have the best employees in the world here at Blind Appeal. We are so happy to have the pleasure of working with these great people day to day as we serve our wonderful customers. We are excited for this opportunity to help you get to know one of our amazing employees a little bit better. Introducing our newest addition: Chris Meyers! Meet Chris Meyers! How long have you worked for Blind Appeal? I jumped on board with Blind Appeal last month, July 13 th . What is your favorite part about working for Blind Appeal? My favorite part of working with Blind Appeal is meeting new people and building relationships with our partners! It is always good to be of service to the individuals and companies who are constantly building this valley as one of the fastest growing valleys in the country! What is your favorite part about being a member of the sales team? It?s in the phrase itself, ?Team.? I have already mentioned it to some partners that I work directly with on our sales team: the office staff, Wes, Ryan, and Nichole as a team member. I grew up playing team sports so doing my part and having the confidence that they are the best at what they do will increase business all around. My job is to help the sales team increase their sales and that is rewarding. Do you have a favorite story or memory from working at Blind Appeal that you would like to share? I?ve only been with Blind Appeal for 3 weeks now, so I haven?t had too much time to build an abundance of memories. Everything thus far has been about getting to know the team. I am sure I?ll have plenty of memories to share in the near future, from failing at golf, Dodgers vs Giants rivalries, etc. But as of now, I don?t really have anything too exciting to share. We are a family owned and operated company that strives to bring our customers the utmost in quality blinds, shades, shutters, exterior shades, and custom draperies. If you have been thinking about updating your window coverings, give us a call ! One of the members of our wonderful sales team would love to talk with you about the services we offer and provide you with a free estimate, all from the comfort of your own home! Our sales staff can walk you through all of the details. Request your free quote today!

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Keeping Cool With Quality Shades

The summer heat is upon us and that means that it is time to be more diligent about keeping your shades down during the day while the sun?s light is most intense. If you don?t have the right shades you could be paying more in energy bills for air conditioning than you need to. We want to do the right thing and balance style with UV and heat protection all while staying within budget. It?s a lot to consider! There are many great reasons to have high quality shades for your home, so let?s go over a few! Cellular & Honeycomb Shades If you are pinching every last penny until it hurts, then these are the shades for you! The unique honeycomb design offers a closed cell that traps pockets of air which then act as a powerful barrier between the harsh sun outdoors and the cool air indoors. Don?t worry! They also help you stay warm in the winter by providing a barrier to the frigid cold outside. If you?re wanting to save the absolute most on your energy bills, then these shades are the ones for you. They are a ?stylish way to boost the energy efficiency in your home.? Layered or Transitional Shades Want a great way to add style and flourish to your home without sacrificing utility? Layered Shades are the perfect way to help outfit your home with powerful furniture saving UV blocking technology while still being able to express yourself in your home decoration choices. These enchanting shades come in a variety of colors and styles to fit your every design need. They also feature a flexible set of features to help with light control in your living spaces. Their design involves combining two closely linked layers of fabric with tightly woven bands of color. The sheer fabric helps block sunlight?s UV rays from damaging your carpet, paintings, and furniture, while the solid stripes help with light control during the sunny hours. You really can have it all! Solar And Roller Shades If you have a house with lots of south facing windows, then this might be the perfect fit for you. Solar shades offer an entirely customizable level of sun and UV protection while giving you an elegant design that will uplift any household decor plan. The sheer fabric and light colors of solar shades are the perfect way to turn harsh glaring light into soft and flattering filtered light. If you?re a fan of a more modern look, roller shades might be the option for you. They are lightweight and easy to clean and are simple to operate. They can also help you have fewer hanging cords around the house that could get tangled or caught on furniture or could present a hazard for children. Safety and convenience in one great package! In Conclusion Speaking of having it all, don?t hesitate to reach out to us for your next window covering purchase. We can provide a helpful expert led in-home estimate that can have you well on your way to outfitting your home with energy and money saving shades that work best for you. No matter the budget, we can help make sure you have the right coverings you?ll need this year. Give us a call at: (208) 888-1056. We can?t wait to hear from you!

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Benefits of the Backyard Gazebo

Amish gazebos? what a classic in beauty and style. Before there was a ?she shed? there was the gazebo. They are beautifully hand crafted from wood, elegant in design, and will stand the test of time. We are proud to announce that we are now offering Amish gazebos for our customers! If you?ve ever wanted to have something that has the functionality of a she shed but with the classic beauty and versatility of a covered porch space, then an Amish gazebo is the perfect choice for your household! What Can I Use A Gazebo For, Exactly? Great question! Entertaining outdoors comes with a variety of challenges. If the weather is nice and sunny, you can run the risk of exposing your guests to too much direct sunlight or heat. If it?s windy or rainy, then your guests will want to have some shelter from the elements. If you don?t have any sort of semi permanent shelter set up outside, then the actual days and seasons in which you can comfortably entertain guests is very limited. When you have something like a covered porch or pergola or gazebo (or all three!) then you can offer your guests some respite from the elements any day of the year. That means more BBQ's, more movie nights, and more Easter Egg hunts for you and your family, regardless of the weather! Gazebo Varieties Gazebos can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They can be round or octagonal or even square. They can be made of vinyl or wood or a mixture of both! Some can even be metal. Some styles of Amish gazebos can have a single roof or even a double roof. The second roof is called a cupola. So much to customize, so little time! We can help you pick the perfect gazebo for your outdoor area. Your Favorite Indoor Activities, Elevated Outdoors. Do you love to curl up with a light shawl and cup of coffee and a good book? If you had a gazebo, you could do that just about any day of the year in the middle of nature?s beauty. Summertime? Get yourself a cold iced lemonade and your favorite puzzle book for an afternoon of refreshment and brain teasers. Do you love movie night? Why not put a sheet up on the outside of your house and watch a favorite movie on a projector from the comfort of your new gazebo? Is it raining out and you don?t feel like going to the park and getting soaked? Grab your favorite spooky novel and a cup of steaming cocoa and take in some fresh air under your gazebo. Have a newborn and it?s tummy time? Take the little one outside and do tummy time in the beautiful outdoors while staying in the shade in your gazebo! So many great activities that you can do each day that are so much better and more fun if you do them in a gazebo. Want A Gazebo? Give Us A Call! We are so excited to be offering high quality Amish gazebos for sale. Give us a call to have one of our experts provide a free estimate and walkthrough today: (208) 888-1056. Click our Contact page here for more ways to get a hold of us. You will be glad you did!

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