Drapery Cleaning
Is this the Fabric Cleaning
You Avoid?
This presentation covers the basics
of drapery cleaning. It is not a
substitute for classroom training
and hands-on experience.
Drapery Cleaning Choices
1.
Dry cleaners
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Take down drapes
Transport to dry cleaners
Wait 3 – 7 days
Put up with possible damage from tumbling
and handling
Return and pick-up drapes, Try to get them
home without wrinkles
Attempt to hang drapes the way they were
Drapery Cleaning Choices
2. On-location cleaning
1. No “fish bowl” feeling with neighbors
looking in
2. Cleaning finished in one day
3. Drapes are never removed so they are hung
the same way they were
4. Greatly reduced chance of tears, rips and
other damage
Drapery Cleaning Choices
3. Hire a decorator, buy new drapes
Companies who promote
drapery cleaning, Coit for
example, do millions of dollars
in on-location drapery cleaning
every year.
?

Why is drapery cleaning such a small or
non-existent part of most cleaner’s
business?
 Fear
and uncertainty
 Perception that special expensive equipment
is required
Terminology

Valance

Header

Panel
– Fabric covering at the
top of the window that hangs from the
drapery rod. It may or may not cover
the tops of the drapes.
– The top portion of the
drape where the pleat is made. The
header is stiffened with a material
called buckram.
– One section of drape
usually containing 7 pleats. Multiple
panels may be sewn together.
Terminology
 Cornice – A window top
covering upholster over a
box or wooden frame.

Thermal / Blackout
Curtains or drapes with a
latex coating on the back
to prevent sunlight from
entering.
 Tie-back
–
How Do Draperies Get Soiled?

They don’t get walked on like carpet

No one sits on drapes like upholstery

Drapes are a big filter removing
contaminants from the air.
 Air
currents near windows due to temperature
variations
 Particulates, biologicals and gases in the air
 Oily hand prints
Dry Soil Removal

Concentrate on header
 Compressed
air
 Brushes
 Vacuum
 Dry
cleaning sponges
Spot Cleaning Option

Spray apply Dry Cleaning
Prespray

Sprayer considerations – Viton
solvent resistant seals will last
longer
Agitate with towel or soft brush
 Rinse with Furniture &

Drapery Compound

Use towel or extractor designed
for use with solvents
Wet Cleaning Option

Always use wet cleaning – not solvents -for
thermal / black out or latex backed drapes.



Solvents and / or heat will damage rubber backing
Rubber may flake off due to previous damage from
sunlight or cleaning.
Wet cleaning can be used on many other drapes
Shrinkage or bleeding can be an issue. TEST FIRST!
The weight of the fabric itself often prevents
shrinkage. You can also clamp weight to the bottom
hem to discourage shrinkage.
 Drapes lined with a different material experience
differential shrinkage resulting in the fabric curling up
across the bottom. These drapes should be dry
cleaned or the bottom hem removed and resewn after
cleaning has been completed.


Wet Cleaning Option

Process is similar to upholstery cleaning
 Clean
headers; vacuum entire drape
 Avenge Fabric prespray / Avenge Clean Rinse
 Plastic window screen can prevent fabric from
being sucked into vacuum
 Prevent shrinkage, if necessary, as discussed
in previous slide.
 Light mist of solvent deodorizer can be used
 Dry with air movement.
Solvent Extraction Cleaning

Less likely to shrink or bleed

Use for delicate fabrics

Lined drapes can be cleaned on
both sides by unhooking and
folding back half-way at a time.

Equipment designed for use with
solvents is required.
U.S. Products Ultimate PB III
is the perfect choice!
Easy Cleaning Option
Most soiled carried into the drapes by air currents.
Air can also remove most of the soil!
Clean header as described earlier
 Compressed air - Blow compressed air through fabric from

front to back. Pressure and volume of air will depend upon the
construction and condition of the drapes.
Spot clean oily hand prints as described earlier
 Spray on a light mist of a solvent deodorizer
such as OdorX Space Spray


Citrus, Cherry, Cinnamon available
Avoiding pitfalls
Pre-Inspect for Common Problems

Shrinkage



Damage from sun and age




Natural fabrics, especially lighter weight drapes
Differential shrinkage when lining material is different
Rub fabric with coin or thumbnail. Listen for Snap, Crackle, Pop
sound of micro tearing. This indicates more tears are likely.
Tears – Existing tears means more tears could easily happen
Discoloration – vertical brown bands on the window side of
fabric are a sign of sun damage fabric
Latex backings will be dissolved by solvent cleaning.
They may flake off due to pre-existing damage from sun
and heat.
Flame Retardant

Drapes in public buildings should be treated
with flame retardant following cleaning.

Flame retardant washes out with wet
cleaning and/or age

Absorbent natural fabrics require about
twice the application rate compared to
synthetic fabrics

Good add-on service
Key Points Summarized

Drapes are soiled differently than carpet
or upholstery.

Clients perceive soil in drapes by oily
smudges and odor.

Most drapes can be wet cleaned, but test
first.

Sunlight weakens and discolors drapes. Be
careful!