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. Take down drapes 2. Transport to dry cleaners 3. Wait 3 – 7 days 4. Put up with possible damage from tumbling and handling 5. Return and pick-up drapes, Try to get them home without wrinkles 6. 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? Why is drapery cleaning such a small or non-existent part of most cleaner’s business? Fear and uncertainty Fear and uncertainty Perception that special expensive equipment is required Perception that special expensive equipment is required

Terminology Valance – 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. Valance – 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. Header – The top portion of the drape where the pleat is made. The header is stiffened with a material called buckram. Header – The top portion of the drape where the pleat is made. The header is stiffened with a material called buckram. Panel – One section of drape usually containing 7 pleats. Multiple panels may be sewn together. Panel – 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. 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. Thermal / Blackout – Curtains or drapes with a latex coating on the back to prevent sunlight from entering. Tie-back Tie-back

How Do Draperies Get Soiled? They don’t get walked on like carpet They don’t get walked on like carpet No one sits on drapes like upholstery No one sits on drapes like upholstery Drapes are a big filter removing contaminants from the air. Drapes are a big filter removing contaminants from the air. Air currents near windows due to temperature variations Air currents near windows due to temperature variations Particulates, biologicals and gases in the air Particulates, biologicals and gases in the air Oily hand prints Oily hand prints

Dry Soil Removal Concentrate on header Concentrate on header Compressed air Compressed air Brushes Brushes Vacuum Vacuum Dry cleaning sponges Dry cleaning sponges

Spot Cleaning Option Spray apply Dry Cleaning Prespray Spray apply Dry Cleaning Prespray Sprayer considerations – Viton solvent resistant seals will last longer Sprayer considerations – Viton solvent resistant seals will last longer Agitate with towel or soft brush Agitate with towel or soft brush Rinse with Furniture & Drapery Compound Rinse with Furniture & Drapery Compound Use towel or extractor designed for use with solvents 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. Always use wet cleaning – not solvents -for thermal / black out or latex backed drapes. Solvents and / or heat will damage rubber backing Solvents and / or heat will damage rubber backing Rubber may flake off due to previous damage from sunlight or cleaning. Rubber may flake off due to previous damage from sunlight or cleaning. Wet cleaning can be used on many other drapes Wet cleaning can be used on many other drapes Shrinkage or bleeding can be an issue. TEST FIRST! 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. 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. 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 Process is similar to upholstery cleaning Clean headers; vacuum entire drape Clean headers; vacuum entire drape Avenge Fabric prespray / Avenge Clean Rinse Avenge Fabric prespray / Avenge Clean Rinse Plastic window screen can prevent fabric from being sucked into vacuum Plastic window screen can prevent fabric from being sucked into vacuum Prevent shrinkage, if necessary, as discussed in previous slide. Prevent shrinkage, if necessary, as discussed in previous slide. Light mist of solvent deodorizer can be used Light mist of solvent deodorizer can be used Dry with air movement. Dry with air movement.

Solvent Extraction Cleaning Less likely to shrink or bleed Less likely to shrink or bleed Use for delicate fabrics Use for delicate fabrics Lined drapes can be cleaned on both sides by unhooking and folding back half-way at a time. 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! 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 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. 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 Spot clean oily hand prints as described earlier Spray on a light mist of a solvent deodorizer such as Odor X Space Spray Spray on a light mist of a solvent deodorizer such as Odor X Space Spray Citrus, Cherry, Cinnamon available Citrus, Cherry, Cinnamon available

Avoiding pitfalls Shrinkage Shrinkage Natural fabrics, especially lighter weight drapes Natural fabrics, especially lighter weight drapes Differential shrinkage when lining material is different Differential shrinkage when lining material is different Damage from sun and age Damage from sun and age Rub fabric with coin or thumbnail. Listen for Snap, Crackle, Pop sound of micro tearing. This indicates more tears are likely. 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 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 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. Latex backings will be dissolved by solvent cleaning. They may flake off due to pre-existing damage from sun and heat. Pre-Inspect for Common Problems

Flame Retardant Drapes in public buildings should be treated with flame retardant following cleaning. Drapes in public buildings should be treated with flame retardant following cleaning. Flame retardant washes out with wet cleaning and/or age Flame retardant washes out with wet cleaning and/or age Absorbent natural fabrics require about twice the application rate compared to synthetic fabrics Absorbent natural fabrics require about twice the application rate compared to synthetic fabrics Good add-on service Good add-on service

Key Points Summarized Drapes are soiled differently than carpet or upholstery. Drapes are soiled differently than carpet or upholstery. Clients perceive soil in drapes by oily smudges and odor. Clients perceive soil in drapes by oily smudges and odor. Most drapes can be wet cleaned, but test first. Most drapes can be wet cleaned, but test first. Sunlight weakens and discolors drapes. Be careful! Sunlight weakens and discolors drapes. Be careful!