Everyone had their regular cleaning routine; you hit the kitchen, vacuum and wash floors, sanitize bathrooms, and give moldings and shelves a good dusting. But when was the last time your curtains or drapes were dry-cleaned or given any significant attention? If you are like most people in Richmond, the answer is probably (almost) never.
Sure, the juice your kids spilled on your white drapes may have been treated with stain remover, or you’ve given your curtains a cursory shake to remove the visible dust but is that enough to say either is clean? Once again, that answer is probably no.
Curtains and drapes are heavy and bulky, and many don’t fit in most standard washing machines. Moreover, depending on the fabric, they may not be machine washable. Add the fact that the average home has several sets of drapes and curtains covering a diverse range of materials and fabrics it’s no wonder that curtain cleaning rarely makes it onto the to-do list.
However, dirty, dusty drapes can lead to various health issues, not to mention that they can make your home look unkempt. Therefore, curtain cleaning should be a priority, but how can you keep them clean?
Suppose you are dealing with bulky curtains and drapes or natural fabrics that may not react well to water, like velvet, wool, cotton (including cotton polyester blends), tapestry, chenille, barcode, and inter-lined curtains. In that case, dry cleaning is your best cleaning option. Professional curtain dry cleaning in Richmond can help ensure that your curtains and drapes are laundered according to best care instructions and come back to you looking and smelling fresh and clean.
And aside from the obvious visual appeal, dry cleaning your drapes and curtains also have everyday health and cost savings benefits. Dusty drapes pose a health risk to the occupants of your home. Over time, your drapes and curtains collect all sorts of dust and allergens from your home and the outdoors, which can trigger breathing and other health issues.
Curtain dry cleaning also helps protect your investment. Quality curtains and drapes and not cheap, and ignoring them or washing them incorrectly can lead to premature wear on the delicate fabric.
If you are looking for a more DIY curtain cleaning method, there are a few options available. But pay close attention to the type of fabric you rarely wash to avoid damage or shrinking.
If your machine can handle the load, some types of lightweight drapes and curtains can be run through a delicate wash cycle. However, you need to pay close attention to the cleaning instructions; many fabrics, including those with UV-blocking properties, can be damaged in the wash.
If you are willing to do the work, handwashing is a viable option for many delicate fabrics that can’t be put through a wash cycle. If you’re handling large curtains or drapes, wash them in sections, squeezing out excess water as you go. Hang to dry and iron as needed.
Make sure to use a gentle detergent and squeeze as much water out after the wash as possible without rubbing or wringing the fabric. Most drapes and curtains can’t be put in the dryer and instead should be hung to dry. To get rid of the wrinkles, you can pass a warm iron over the fabric while it is still slightly damp.
A steam cleaner is another good option for cleaning bulky drapes and curtains that can’t go into the washing machine. This method is great for tidying up heavy fabrics you might want to avoid taking off the rail, however, it can be challenging to achieve a thorough clean with only a handheld steamer.