Professional curtain cleaners excel at cleaning intricate pieces and fine fabrics. After careful inspection, fabrics are tested to determine the most appropriate cleaning method.
Dry Cleaning
Draperies that need to be cleaned should only be dry-cleaned. Some curtain cleaning services take down draperies and transport them to their place of business. Here, the cleaning process used, removes soil, odors, pollen, smoke, and dust. The service will guarantee the drapes are returned with no shrinkage, even hems, and parallel pleats. Specialists re-hang the drapes with the utmost care.
Others avoid having an office of home exposed while draperies are out. Professionals have equipment specifically designed to clean draperies. The process can be done in the home or office. A solvent, that is specially formulated, is injected into the drapery. The solvent is administered under pressure then extracted from the fabric, leaving the drapes in clean condition. No shrinkage or damage to the fabric occurs during the process.
When a professional decides what clean process is best to clean curtains, the fiber content of the fabric and the dye fastness are taken into consideration. A synthetic hydrocarbon solvent is the product most frequently used by technicians, because it is nonflammable. This solution cannot be used with dyes that will fade or bleed.
A soft non-aggressive solvent is used on fabric prone to dye problems or color loss. The paradox to this solution is that it is gentler than detergent but flammable. It can only be used where fire precautions are taken. It is not toxic and can be hung to dry in a ventilated space where fire precautions are in place.
If cleaning instructions instruction have the symbol ‘P,’ perkcholorethylene is used to clean curtains. Professionals refer to the cleaner as ‘Perk.” It has to be used in the curtain cleaning facility because tumble drying is required, and the toxic fumes are collected in a sealed machine.
If the fabric has water born stains, soap and water are added to the solvent to remove them. Mechanical action, heat, and moisture can cause shrinkage. A clothing press is used to finish the curtains.
Other window treatments that a curtain cleaning service will treat include:
- Cornices
- Cascades
- Swags
- Scarves
- Lambrequins
- Austrian and Roman Shades
- Balloons
- Tie-backs
- Festoons
- Sheers
- Top treatments
- Valances
Steam Cleaning
Curtains made of very heavy material and difficult to take down may be steam cleaned in the home or business. Technicians start at the top of the curtain and work down. Technicians know how far to keep the appliance away from the fabric to prevent it from becoming too wet. Steam can burn. Professionals wear protective clothing, appropriate for the job.
Hot Water Extraction
Hot water extraction is used on curtains that are not harmed by large amounts of water. The method is gentle on fabric while effective in dirt and dust removal. A combination of special solution and hot water cleans stubborn stains. Ninety-five percent of the combination, along with the dirt from the fabric, is extracted back. This method requires some time to dry fully.
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