A Basic Guide to Cleaning Your Fabric Window Treatments

You want your window treatments in Dallas to stand the test of time. Of course, you also want your home to look and smell both fresh and clean. A key to accomplishing both of those goals is regularly cleaning your curtains, drapes, or shades. How can you do that? Below, you will find some basic guidelines.

Prioritize Fabric-Specific Instructions

Different fabrics have different requirements for successful maintenance. When you are shopping for custom drapery in Dallas, ask your interior design consultant what kind of care will be required for your new window treatments. Do they have to be dry cleaned, or can you care for them at home? Are there any specific products that are effective at cleaning them? Anything you learn should supersede the basic, generalized guidelines below.

Vacuum Your Window Treatments

In most cases, vacuuming is an adequate way to remove dust and other unwanted substances from your window treatments. The upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner should work well for this purpose. Be sure to pay extra attention to any pleats, whether they are at the top of the curtains or they are standard pleats in your fabric shades; dust tends to collect in such areas.

Wash Your Window Treatments if Possible

Some window treatments are washable. For example, you might be able to remove the dowels from your Roman shades and toss them into your washing machine. Afterward, be sure to let them air dry because the heat from the dryer has the potential to cause shrinkage. Some types of curtains are also washable.

Spot Clean Stains

If you notice any small stains on your fabric window treatments, use a gentle formula to address them. Woolite works well in many cases, as do a number of aerosol upholstery cleaners. Whatever you choose to use, be sure to do a small patch test on your curtains first to find out if the cleaning product will cause discoloration. (If you have any spare swatches of your window treatment fabric, they can also be used for patch tests.)

Consider Hiring a Professional

Some professional cleaning services have special tools and formulas that are designed to clean window treatments. It wouldn’t hurt to call a few local companies and get a price quote for your window treatments, especially if it has been a long time since the last time they were cleaned.

Stick to a Regular Schedule

As a general rule of thumb, you should vacuum or dust your window treatments as often as you vacuum and dust the rest of the home. This will keep your house smelling fresh and prevent the buildup of allergens. Regular deeper cleanings are also important. How often a deeper cleaning is necessary will depend on a few factors, such as whether you have pets or live in a dusty area. Most people find that a deeper cleaning every 3 – 6 months is beneficial.

Keeping your window treatments clean will allow them to last longer and support a healthy home environment. The above tips can help you accomplish just that.

Meet Rita

Rita Tayefeh is an experienced interior design expert. She has a particular enthusiasm for custom window treatments, such as draperies, curtains, and shades. If you would like to learn more about her and her services, reach out to us at 214-533-0843.