Motorized shades offer great convenience—you can operate your window treatments without moving an inch. But the motor system also means that maintenance is slightly more complex than with traditional curtains and requires a little extra care.
Here's your simple maintenance guide for your motorized shades or blinds.
What Are Motorized Shades Made Of?
For simple daily maintenance, here are the main parts we need to know:
- The shade fabric: The material (often polyester or woven blends) is the part most prone to dust accumulation.
- The tracks: The side rails that guide the fabric up and down. They keep the light out and ensure the shade moves straight.
- The power source & battery: This could be a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a replaceable battery wand, or a plug-in adapter. If your shade isn't waking up, 90% of the time, it just needs a charge.
- The motor: The hidden engine inside the top tube. It drives the movement and must remain absolutely dry.
- The remote control: The device that sends signals to the motor. It is the bridge between you and your window treatment.
For detailed instructions, read on.
First, Keep the Fabric Clean
There are two reasons to clean the fabric: first, clean curtains make people feel refreshed and beautiful while reducing indoor dust; second, if curtains are left unattended for a long time, the accumulated dust that falls can jam the motorized curtain mechanism.
But be careful! When cleaning motorized curtains, never submerge them in water like regular curtains, as this will damage the motor and render the curtains unusable.
- Full cleaning: Use a vacuum cleaner and soft brush to remove dust from top to bottom.
- Spot cleaning: For localized stains, dampen a cloth and spot clean the area. You can use a little mild soap.
After cleaning, don't roll up the curtains immediately. Make sure they are completely dry before rolling them up.
Second, Wipe the Tracks
If they get dirty, the blackout shade can jerk or get stuck. Once a month, simply wipe the inside of the tracks with a dry cloth. If you notice any sticky spots, use a damp cloth but dry it right away.
Important: Never use WD-40, grease, or oil inside the tracks. While oil might seem like a good idea for smoother operation, it actually traps dust and turns it into sludge, making things worse.
Third, Watch Your Power Source
Dead batteries are the easiest problem to fix, but also the most annoying.
- For battery wands: Check them once a year. If the shade starts moving slower than usual, swap the batteries out before they die completely.
- For rechargeable motors: Don't wait until the battery is at 0%. Charge it when the motor sounds tired.
- For solar panels: These need sunlight to work. If your window is dusty, the panel can't charge. Give the solar panel a quick wipe whenever you clean your windows.
Fourth, Protect the Motor
You actually don't need to do much to the motor itself. The motor is sealed inside the tube. The only rule here is: Keep it dry. When you are cleaning the fabric or washing your windows, be very careful not to spray water up into the top roller. Water can fry the electronics inside. If you hear the motor making a grinding noise, stop using it immediately.
Fifth, Don't Forget the Remote
Sometimes the problem isn't the shade, it's the clicker in your hand. Keep the remote clean so the buttons don't get sticky. Also, if the little light on the remote looks dim, change the coin battery. Weak remote batteries can make the shade act weird, like stopping halfway for no reason.
Common Motorized Shade Problems and Fixes
Most of the Time, It’s a Power Issue
- If you use a battery wand, the AA batteries inside might be dead. Swap them all out for new ones. Don't mix old and new batteries, as this drains power faster.
- If it is a built-in lithium battery, it might have been a long time since you charged it. Plug it in and charge it until the indicator light turns green.
- If it is a plug-in model, check if the outlet has power or if the plug has been knocked loose. Push the plug firmly into the socket. You can also test the outlet with a lamp to make sure it works.
- Check if the batteries are installed backwards. Are the springs at both ends of the battery case loose? Open the case and make sure the + and - match. If the springs feel loose, gently pull them out a tiny bit so they hold the batteries tightly.
Remote Control Issue
- If the indicator light on your remote becomes dim or doesn't light up, the battery is likely dead. To fix it, just open the back cover and replace the coin battery (usually CR2032 or CR2450) with a fresh one.
- Did you select the wrong channel? On a multi-channel remote, you might be on "Channel 2" when you want to control the "Channel 1" shade, so it won't react. So check the remote display or lights, and press the arrow buttons to switch back to the correct channel for that window.
- If there's signal interference or you are remoting too far away, the receiver might not receive the signal or the signal might be blocked by a metal curtain box or something. Step closer to the window and point the remote directly at the shade. If you have a metal valance, ensure the motor's antenna wire is not tucked behind it.
Thermal Protection
If you operate the shade continuously (like moving it up and down repeatedly), the motor will force a "shutdown" to rest and prevent itself from burning out.
Just wait 15-20 minutes. Once the motor cools down, it will automatically resume working.
Physical Obstruction
- First, just as we mentioned earlier, it could be jammed by too much dust. Simply follow the cleaning steps to remove dust from the tracks.
- The fabric skewed when rolling up and got stuck on the side bracket? This is a telescoping issue. Unroll the shade all the way. You need to use a small piece of masking tape (a shim) on the roller tube to balance it out. Place the tape on the side opposite to the direction the fabric is drifting.
- Flower pots or books on the windowsill, or the bottom bar getting caught on a window handle. Check the window area and move any obstacles out of the shade's path.
When to Ask for Help?
It's okay if you can't fix some things yourself. You should get in touch with a professional if:
- Scary Noises: If the motor starts making grinding, clicking, or crunching sounds, something inside is broken. Don't try to open the motor yourself—you might make it worse.
- Total Silence: If you have checked the power and the remote, but the motorized shade still won't move an inch, the motor is likely dead.
- Smell of Burning: If you smell smoke or the shade trips your circuit breaker, stop immediately and ask for help!
- Torn Fabric: If the fabric rips or falls off the tube, don't try to glue or tape it. You need a pro to reattach it properly to keep the weight balanced.
- Wobbly Brackets: If the mounting parts are loose or broken, the whole shade could fall down. Let a pro secure it.
If you've tried the basics and nothing worked, don't force it. Professionals have access to replacement parts that you can't buy at the store. Plus, attempting a complex DIY repair might void your warranty!
Final Thoughts: The 3 Golden Rules
To sum up, just follow these three simple rules:
- Keep it Dry: Never let water enter the motor housing or the remote.
- Keep it Clean: Vacuum the fabric and wipe the tracks monthly to prevent dust buildup.
- Check Power First: Before calling a pro, always check your batteries and connections.
Experience the Joydeco Difference
If you are looking for window treatments that combine style with durability, look no further than Joydeco’s Custom Motorization Blackout Roman Shades. Designed with dust-resistant, eco-friendly fabrics, our shades are built to stay clean and last longer. They offer 100% blackout privacy and a cordless safety design that is perfect for homes with children and pets.
Visit Joydeco to customize your size and upgrade your home with shades that are as easy to maintain as they are to use!
