Do you know the proper way to clean drapes and curtains in the Lehigh Valley Area?

Drapes and curtains add a nice decorative touch and help tie a room together. Over time, drapes and curtains accumulate dirt and dust, which degrade the quality and look of the fabric and also negatively affect your indoor air quality. In Lehigh Valley, having your drapes regularly cleaned will keep the room looking great and to prolong the fabric life.

Cleaning Drapes and Curtains

First, check to see if there are cleaning tag codes on your drapes or curtains to determine the best cleaning procedure. The letter “W” indicates water safe. The letter “S” indicates to only use cleaning solvents or dry-cleaning.

The letters “S/W” indicate that both water and cleaning solvents can be used to clean the fabric. The letter “X” indicates that you should only use a stiff brush or vacuum to clean the drapes. 

What are Dry-Clean-Only Fabrics

Fabrics such as wool, silk or polished cotton require special attention and should be dry-cleaned only! Prevention of soil buildup and stain removal on these fabrics can be done by spot-cleaning with a mild solvent cleaner or upholstery shampoo on a soft brush. Never saturate the fabric with any type of liquid. If the fabric gets wet, dry it immediately with a dry towel and a blow dryer.

Cleaning Water-Safe Fabrics

Cotton, nylon, or polyester are considered more robust fabrics and can usually be cleaned with water at home. Just because they are water-safe doesn’t mean they are machine-safe as well. It’s best to use a steam cleaner or water-soluble fabric cleaner on these fabrics. Curtains containing sequins, lace or decorative stitching, would do best by dry-cleaning. Fabrics with a high pile will restore much better by brushing it with a stiff, non-metallic brush.

Cleaning Machine-Safe Fabrics

If fabrics are machine-safe, you should find “WASH” on the fabric tag. If you’re not certain your drapes or curtains are machine-safe, proceed with caution. Don’t forget to remove all hardware and hooks before washing drapes and curtains in a washing machine. A gentle wash cycle with a mild detergent is required. Using cold water will help prevent shrinkage, and air-dry or tumble dry without heat. Delicate fabrics, such as sheer or lace are best washed by hand or, washed inside a garment bag in a washing machine.

If you need wash curtains or drapes by hand, fill a large bucket with cold water and detergent. Give them a 30-minute soak in the bucket, agitating them every five minutes or so.   

To remove dirt or stains, scrub the fabric against itself. Heavily soiled fabric may need the process repeated with fresh water and detergent. After the cleaning process, rinse the fabric in fresh, cold water until the water is clear and there are no suds.



How Often to Clean & Maintain Drapes to keep them clean?

Once your curtains or drapes have been cleaned, use an upholstery brush on your vacuum to remove dust and dirt once a week. Every three to six months, give them a deeper cleaning which will reduce the dust in your home and improves indoor air quality.

For professional cleaning, Bring the Dry Cleaners to Your Home

If you don’t have the time, equipment or know how to clean your drapes and curtains, call Restoration 1 in the Lehigh Valley area to clean them for you. We can put your drapes on a regular cleaning schedule or call when you need us for the occasional clean.