Quality window treatments are an investment that will ‘hang around’ for years at a time. Anything from pets to foot traffic, sticky fingers and spills can cause draperies to look dingy and stained. Keeping draperies and other window treatments clean, bright and fresh can feel like a daunting task, but with a few basic tricks of the trade you can incorporate upkeep with your regular cleaning routine!
1. Don’t only hit the side you can see, but dust or vacuum both the interior and exterior facing sides of the shades or draperies.
2. When you get out the extendable duster, make sure to spend extra time at the top of curtains and draperies as creases and pleats collect more dust. The same goes for valances, cornices, swags and cascades.
3. Give your window treatments the once-over for snags, droops, wear and tear. If you notice anything during the inspection, make sure to give us a call.
4. Spot clean any areas as soon as they are noticed on shades and drapes.
5. Strong spot removers or detergents can fade color and damage draperies; so be careful which products you use. We recommend a foam upholstery or fabric cleaner like ScotchGard or Woolite.
6. Lightly and from a distance spray sheers with a spray like Static Guard to eliminate static and repel dust.
7. Kneadable erasers are an excellent way to take care of smudges on non-washable fabric shades before the stain sets in. You can usually find them at art supply stores.
Take great care with any of these tips and always err on the side of caution, particularly with dry-clean only draperies. If you find that you have a stain that is just too big or too set to tackle on your own, or if you discover damage you didn’t notice before, please give us a call! Is it time for new draperies? Why not start fresh in the new year and contact us for a free estimate! If you are a builder, interior designer or remodeler, learn more about our Partner Program.