ThriftyFun Logo
Home   Find   Ask   Share   Answer   Join   Index   Login  
 
 User Login:  Username:    Password:      Forgot It?  | Join ThriftyFun!

 - Beauty
 - Budget and Finance
 - Cleaning
 - Consumer Advice
 - Craft Projects
 - Craft Tips
 - Food Tips
 - Garage Sales
 - Gardening
 - Gifts
 - Green Living
 - Home Improvement
 - Organizing
 - Parenting
 - Parties
 - Pest Control
 - Pets
 - Product Reviews
 - Recipes
 - Repair
 - Weddings for Less

RSS Feed
About Us
Media
Advertising
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer

Cleaning Heavy, Lined Drapes

1x1
Date: 07/10/2008 Topics: Cleaning > Advice | Readers Request > Cleaning  
1x1
Post Feedback | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Print (With Feedback) | Rate: Thumbs Up Thumbs Down | Bookmark and Share
I have not one, but five sliding glass doors in my house! They are everywhere! I have hung on them heavy, lined drapes that I bought on sale from J.C. Penney's. They each also have a valance on top. What I would like to know is can I clean them any way other than dry cleaning which is what the tags say?

I can't even imagine what kind of bill I would have if I take them all to be cleaned! They are getting really dusty and need badly to be cleaned but I just don't have the extra money. Please help!

Lisa from VA
(1x1 graphic )
Previous: Washing a Poseable Teddy Bear ThriftyFun Next: Sugar Free Pie Filling Recipes For Canning
(1x1 graphic )
1x1
1x1
 Feedback
1x1
1x1
1x1

By connie w. (Guest Post)
Usually I just use the vacuum cleaner's upholstery brush on mine, but if they are really bad all over and not just at the top, I would take them to the big washers at a public laundry mat...the great bigs ones in the wall that you can even do giant rugs in. Be sure you wash gently, in cold water, and dry on low. If they wrinkle, throw a damp towel in with them for about 5-10 minutes, and wrinkles should be gone.

Posted on 07/12/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Julia in UK (Guest Post)
I successfully wash "dry clean only" curtains on a cold water setting and air dry outside. Dryers can cause a lot of shrinkage.

There may be a little shrinkage whichever way you clean the curtains but if there is a deep hem you will be able to let them down.

If you check the price of the dry cleaning, it may cost more than replacing the curtains, so it might be worth taking risks here.

Posted on 07/12/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Venita (Guest Post)
You could try Dryel (dry cleaning product) made to be used in your home dryer if putting them in dryer with wet towel and fabric softener sheet doesn't get them clean enough.

Posted on 07/12/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Lisa (Guest Post)
Thanks for all the advice! I think I will try the one that recommends the wet towel, dryer sheet and dryer on low for 15 minutes and then use the advice of vacuming to try to keep them up! Thanks to all!

Posted on 07/11/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Lorelei (463) Profile Contact
Shrinkage may happen if you wash them, but I have washed drycleaned items before on a lukewarm water cycle and cold rinse and did not have any shrinkage or a lot of wrinkles. Using the dryer on lowest heat cycle for about 5-10 minutes will help remove wrinkles, but you will need to allow to dry on their own the rest of the way. Use the largest washers at a laundromat if the drapes are that heavy and you can get more drapes in at once for about $4.-$5. a load. If the drapes are not precleaned before putting in a dryer, you may have residue permanently mar the fabric as heat sets in stains. From your statement, I'm believing they are in really bad shape.

If you choose to dryclean versus washing machine then wait until you have the money to do so and use your vac to wipe down the surface layer of dust or hang over a line and sweep off the dust with a clean whisk broom.

Posted on 07/11/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By MartyD (466) Profile Contact
I used to have a house full of draperies on traverse rods (which I prefer) .... I always took mine down one window at a time and ran them in the dryer on air only. All the dust will go away and they have a nice soft wrinkle free feel to them. You could even throw in a dryer sheet. I didn't have those in the dark ages. My reason for this was that draperies don't get food stains or body odors which make it necessary to wash our clothing.

Posted on 07/11/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Jean from Raymond, MS (Guest Post)
If you have a clothes dryer, you can put the drapes in with a large, wet towel and a fabric softener sheet. Run the dryer for about 15 minutes on low heat. This will remove a tremendous amount of dust.

Posted on 07/11/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By millard_crystal (Guest Post)
If you are careful you can vacuum them once a month. I use an upholstery attachment same as on my lampshades. It will keep the dust down and keep them smelling fresh for longer.

Posted on 07/11/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

1x1
1x1
 Post Feedback:
1x1
1x1
1x1

Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.

1x1
(1x1 graphic )

© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com - Design by Cumuli Design
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer. If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.