How to Clean Custom Drapes at Home?
Caring for custom drapery is not difficult but it requires an understanding of the materials involved to avoid damaging the fabric and increasing the longevity and beauty of your window coverings.
Vacuum often
If you have ever opened your custom drapes and found yourself consumed by a cloud of dust, you know just how much dust a set of drapes can collect. The first step in keeping your custom drapes clean is routine vacuuming or dusting.
A variety of cleaning implements from a soft brush attachment to a feather duster can be used to remove dirt from your custom drapes. Work from the top down so you can clean anything that falls later, and make sure to treat both sides. Check in the folds and hems where hidden dust accumulates and wipe down window sills and dusty windows.
Quick and Clean
Custom drapes are delicate and should be treated with adequate caution. Only wash your drapes when it’s absolutely necessary.
If dusting and vacuuming don’t do the trick but a full washing isn’t in order, try to perform a quick spot clean with a damp cloth. Wet the cloth in warm water, wring it out and then gently wipe it up from top to bottom in the areas of concern.
Another way to give your custom drapes a quick clean without having to take them down is just to give them a good shake, this will easily help remove debris and dust.
Wash Lightweight Drapes
If you’re able to do laundry at home, rest assured, lightweight custom drapes can easily be washed in the washing machine if the fabric allows.
Remove all rings, hooks, and trims, before running a gentle cycle with mild detergent, and try to give the drapes plenty of room in the washing machine so they’re not crushed.
You will also want to iron them while they are still a little damp to keep removing wrinkles. It’s also better to hand wash them to prevent shrinking.
Steam Heavy Drapes
Steam cleaning is ideal for heavy fabrics such as blackout drapes. After filling the steamer’s water tank, turn it on and test the steam by holding it about 7 inches away from the fabric.
You need to adjust the steam according to your custom drapes’ fabric and may need a good amount of steam to remove wrinkles from heavier fabrics.
Once you’ve found the right steam setting start moving the steamer from the top to the bottom of your hanging drapes. When finished, Allow the drapes to dry naturally before you start any further cleaning in the room to prevent dust from sticking to the wet material.
