Window hardware has the tendency to accumulate a lot of dust and tarnish over the years. Metal can interact with compounds in the air that lead to oxidation, rust and blemishes which can be unsightly, ruining the look of your home. You could hire someone to come and routinely clean your custom drapery rods and other hardware, but such services can be expensive.

A homeowner who wants their window treatments to remain clean need not pay a lot of money to do so. Here are some simple steps for ensuring that your curtain rods and other hardware remain spotless:

• Apply lacquer remover to your brass rods and fixtures, and scrub carefully with steel wool. If you're looking for a more natural remedy to this problem, the Mother Nature Network recommends applying ketchup, then scrubbing with a cloth and some warm, soapy water.

• For wiping off dust and dirt, warm water and soap on its own will do the trick. Just make sure you use a non-abrasive cloth, and that you completely dry the hardware once you've washed it.

• If the hardware is small enough to fit in a pot, you can also boil it in water with baking soda, which will remove even the toughest blemishes.

After trying these remedies, you may find that your metal window parts are simply old and in need of replacement. If that's the case, we recommend stopping by the showroom at Bazaar Home Decorating Center, the leading Milwaukee contemporary window treatments store, where we can explore the many interior design solutions available to you.