Draperies

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Exact a Drape

Bring us your draperies and we will clean out the dirt and smoke that accumulates over time.

Protect your investment by having your drapes professionally cleaned.

Selecting and Caring for Your Draperies

There are numerous types of drapery fabrics and designs available today. The length of service you obtain from draperies will be determined by how well the fabric was made, your selection for a specific area in your home, and how well you care for them. Dirt, heat, grime, moisture, sunlight, water and atmospheric gases are all natural enemies of your draperies while in use.

Household fabrics such as draperies may appear normal when given to your cleaner, but may show holes, yellowing, staining and fading after dry cleaning. You may think that these problems developed because of improper dry cleaning, when in fact, the problems slowly developed while in your use, or because of poor fabric construction by the manufacturer.

By being a more careful buyer and by using proper care, your draperies’ life can be extended. However, draperies don’t last forever, they have a life expectance of 4 years for unlined or 5 for lined.

At the Time of Purchase

Understand the care instructions that accompany your purchase.

Ask for a totally preshrunk fabric, especially when installing ceiling-to-floor draperies.

Ask about the colorfastness of the fabric and its resistance to fading from light and atmospheric exposure.

Remember that lined draperies usually last longer.

Consider carefully the type of fabric you are using for a specific area. Almost all fabrics, except glass are weakened by light exposure. Sheer fabrics weaken much faster than heavier tightly-woven ones. Silk is weakened faster than any other fiber.

Keep in mind that insulated draperies with backing material may tend to yellow and deteriorate from constant light exposure.

Clean them frequently- at least once a year and vacuum between cleaning.

How to Prolong the Life of Your Draperies

Rotate them, if possible.

Protect draperies from atmospheric elements, such as moisture from condensation on the window panes or from inclement weather through an open window or patio door.

Problems That May Become Apparent After Dry Cleaning

Light Damage — Direct and indirect light weakens and discolors most fabrics and backing materials on draperies. This is a slow, progressive condition. After sufficient exposure, the fabric or coating can deteriorate to such an extent that a portion will tear away in normal dry cleaning procedures.

Shrinkage — Many drapery fabrics are not totally preshrunk at the time of purchase. Shrinkage of 2 or 3 percent can be expected on such fabrics during dry-cleaning. This shrinkage is beyond the control of the cleaner.

Color Failure — Many drapery fabrics are colored by being printed on the surface rather than dyed. Some of these surface colors, especially the very deep, bright colors are not colorfast to dry cleaning or washing. This is the manufacturer’s fault.

Water Marks — Areas that got wet can show up as rings after dry cleaning. These may be difficult to remove. In some cases, impossible.

Distortion — Some drapery constructions use a combination of several fibers to produce a desired wave or design. The presence of very heat sensitive fibers can cause considerable distortion during the normal cleaning, deodorizing and finishing cycle. You should inform the drycleaner if you are aware of heat sensitive fibers from the original hand tag or literature obtained at the time of purchase.

Stiffened Fabric — Reflective coatings on the draperies or its linings are sometimes used to impart insulating qualities. Some of these contain vinyl materials that are not totally resistant to dry cleaning. Loss of a plasticizer from the vinyl can produce a very stiff and blistered fabric. These failures are the responsibility of the manufacturers.

Yellow Streaks — Sizing and finishes in the drapery fabrics tend to gradually turn yellow with age because of the combined effects of moisture, light, heat, smoke fumes and other atmospheric soils. The exposed folds of your drapes collect a greater amount of these elements, causing yellow streaks to form. Dry cleaning will remove the solvent-soluble oils and soil but not the yellow streaks. These are water-soluble and the small amount of moisture in the dry cleaning solvent is not sufficient to remove them. A wet cleaning process in water is necessary for this but it is not always advisable. The cleaner may ask your permission to wet clean draperies for possible removal of yellow streaks.

With thanks to the International Fabricare Institute

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