How to Keep Drapes Clean

While drapes are a common household item, commonly found in living rooms and bedrooms, they are also located in commercial spaces such as hotels, hospitals, libraries, and more. Any kind of window treatment is an investment in your home or business, and lots of time is spent searching for just the right fabric, color, and texture for your space. But, like any expenditure, without routine maintenance, your window treatment investment can lose its luster and become dull, dusty, and dirty. Draperies, curtains, and even sheers can grow mold or mildew if they are in an area that is damp, or conditions are favorable for mold. So, how do you make sure these carefully curated accents are kept clean? This article outlines the steps you can take to ensure they are in top shape, and also covers SERVPRO^®’s drape cleaning process.

Types of Drapes

While drapes may seem like a simple decoration, there are plenty of variations when it comes to these unique interior ornaments. From showing off your personality to strategically affecting the lighting of a space with different colors, the following are the main types of drapes:

• Single panel.
• Double panel.
• Decorative side panel.
• Door panel.
• Sheer drapes.
• Light filtering drapes.
• Blackout drapes.

Popular styles include grommet (where metal rings in the fabric slide onto the curtain rod), pocket (where a fabric pocket slides onto the curtain rod), and pinch pleat (providing uniform volume and folds). Needless to say, there is often more to these unique decorations than meets the eye. Thankfully, SERVPRO is available 24/7 for all your drape cleaning needs.

How to Clean Your Drapes

While SERVPRO is always available to clean your drapes, know there are steps you can take to ensure they remain clean throughout the year. However, if the cleaning becomes too much to handle, you find yourself short on time, or you experience severe drape damage during fire, water, or other damages, give SERVPRO a call. As knowledgeable technicians in cleanup, restoration, and construction, our service professionals are dedicated to returning your drapes to pre-loss condition.

While the following list is not all-encompassing, some tips for drapery cleaning from Consumer Reports include:

• Consider dry cleaning, especially if the drape fabric features elaborate ornamentation, stitched-in pleats, or swags that may not be able to handle traditional washing.
• Sheer curtains should be washed regularly, even if they don’t appear dirty.
• In the case of sun damage, use cool or lukewarm water and a gentle cycle, with mild detergent. If possible, use a clothesline to dry, or a delicate or no-heat setting.
• Velvet drapes can be brushed on occasion, and do not need washed or dry-cleaned for a simple touch-up. Use a chamois cloth wrung thoroughly after dipping in hot water.

In general, it’s important to routinely dust and vacuum drapes with a soft-brush attachment, or a broom with synthetic fibers. When using a vacuum, ensure it’s set to reduced suction to avoid pulling the fabric into the nozzle.

SERVPRO’s Drape Cleaning Process

SERVPRO’s drape cleaning process involves injecting a specially-formulated solvent into the fabric under pressure, which extracts the offending chemical and leaves the drapery clean.

Beyond the injection of solvent, the broad drape cleaning process can occur in one of two ways: in-place or in-facility. Depending on the level of damage and cleaning required, SERVPRO professionals will determine the best course of action to properly clean your drapes.

SERVPRO’s in-place cleaning process follows these steps:

1. SERVPRO professionals will move and protect any adjacent surfaces or furniture near the area being treated. Cornices or valances may need to be detached to reach certain areas.
2. Verify the type of material being treated. Pre-testing occurs at this stage to ensure the correct cleaning method is employed and appropriate products are used.
3. A dry soil removal technique is employed. This may involve vacuuming all affected surfaces, which helps loosen dry particles like pet hair.
4. Heavy soils and stains are pre-treated.
5. Based on pre-test results in step 2, the appropriate cleaning method is applied.
6. After removing protective covering, items and personal property are returned to their original positions.

SERVPRO’s in-facility cleaning process follows these steps:

1. Personal items and furniture are moved to a separate area to access window treatment.
2. Cornices, valances, and other décor items are detached and placed elsewhere to access window treatment.
3. Window treatments are carefully detached, and hardware is organized for reinstallation.
4. Window treatments are placed in a container for transport to your local SERVPRO facility.
5. Verify the type of material being treated. Pre-testing occurs at this stage to ensure the correct cleaning method is employed and appropriate products are used.
6. A dry soil removal technique is employed. This may involve vacuuming all affected surfaces, which helps loosen dry particles like pet hair.
7. Heavy soils and stains are pre-treated.
8. Based on pre-test results in step 2, the appropriate cleaning method is applied.
9. After removing protective covering, items and personal property are returned to their original positions.

Here to Help^® 24/7

From drape cleaning to blind cleaning, air ducts and HVAC duct cleaning to odor removal and ceiling and wall cleaning, SERVPRO does it all. No matter when your damage occurs—whether in the middle of the week or on a weekend, whether on a holiday or just after midnight—SERVPRO franchise professionals will be there. We pride ourselves on providing peace of mind and returning your space to pre-loss condition, “Like it never even happened,” so give us a call. We are here to help and look forward to serving your cleanup, restoration, and construction needs. Find your local SERVPRO today.

For more information about our services and the cleanup and restoration industry, visit our FAQ and Glossary.

Sources:

https://www.blinds.com/buying-guides/draperies-buying-guide/how-to-choose-between-drapery-styles#:~:text=Choosing%20your%20curtain%20style%20and,pocket%2C%20and%20pinch%20pleat%20curtains.https://www.consumerreports.org/laundry-cleaning/curtain-cleaning-tips/#:~:text=Constant%20exposure%20to%20sunlight%20can,no%2Dheat%20or%20delicate%20setting.