How to Wash Drapes
Drapery Cleaning in Portola Valley — Cleaning the draperies in your house can extend their life and free your house of unwanted dust, dirt, pet hair and allergens.
Weekly Maintenance
Remove dust from your curtains with your vacuum. Most vacuums have. Place the brush attachment on the end of the hose and then brush in an up and down movement across the cloth. A vacuum also works nicely for this undertaking.
Washing the Drapes
IMPORTANT: CHECK THE TAGS Before attempting to wash your draperies. Some draperies should BE CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY. NEVER wash them if:
They are not specifically labeled as washable (when they’re lined, make sure BOTH the drapery fabric and the liner are listed as machine washable).
The cloth is damaged, frayed or disappeared (i.e. by sun )
Trim or other vases Aren’t listed as color-fast
Take heed of the tag and follow these steps In case your draperies are machine washable:
Carefully remove the curtains from the sticks (it is best to have someone assist you with this because you will probably require a step stool or little ladder to reach the rods). NEVER tug or pull the draperies to receive them down as this may damage the sticks the fabric or the walls.
In the event the draperies are hung with pins or hooks get rid of these and set them apart.
Hand wash every panel in water and a gentle detergent such as Woolite. For large drapes, it may be easier to use the tub in place of the sink.
In your washer, the curtains can be placed Instead to the GENTLE cycle, with warm or cold water, as indicated on the tag. If the tag doesn’t indicate a temperature setting, opt for chilly. Use a gentle detergent. Don’t overload your washer. In case your draperies are bulky or large, consider carrying them or doing the panels one at a time at which you are able to use washers.
Place the drapes in a drier on the atmosphere indicated on the label (probably low heat). If no drier setting is indicated, put “no heat” (fluff) setting. Take care to not overload the dryer.
Look at doing one panel at a time or carrying them into a laundromat with dryers that are oversize. The usual source of damage to draperies during the cleaning method is heat; if in doubt (especially if using a commercial dryer unfamiliar for you), use the”no heat” setting. TIP: If you’re fortunate enough to have an old fashioned clothesline, then instead of the dryer, hang your draperies outside to dry on the clothesline. You won’t need to be concerned about overheating, and the curtains are going to have natural fresh odor. To maintain fabric from fading, prevent hanging in direct sun.
Remove from your dryer immediately if desired and press gently. Again, assess your label. If no indication is given, use a cool iron. To prevent damage, utilize the iron only on the REVERSE side of the draperies.
Replace the pins hooks (if any) and then re-hang the draperies on the sticks. Again, it is best to do so with another person.
