Cleaning Heavy, Lined Drapes

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.

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.

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.

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!

By

Lorelei

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.

By

MartyD

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.

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.

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.