Many homeowners can’t remember the last time their curtains were cleaned. The question of when to clean drapery often doesn’t even cross their minds! However, cleaning drapery is crucial for getting rid of stuffy air and stubborn odors—and there’s no shortage of professionals in South Amboy, NJ to help you get the job done.
When to clean drapery
Generally, you should clean window curtains every three to six months. The fabric collects dust mites and dirt over time, which can give your home a stuffy smell. Curtains may also catch pollen that comes in through open windows during allergy season. Cleaning drapery on a regular basis will improve air quality and provide a more comfortable living space.
Consider cleaning your window curtains more frequently than every three to six months if you suffer from allergies. Pet dander builds up quickly on the fabric, so fresh window hangings do wonders for reducing allergy symptoms. Even if no one in your family is allergic to cats or dogs, excessive pet dander could be a deterrent for guests.
Curtains should be laundered once a month for smoking households. The heavy fabric is excellent at trapping smoke particles that give your living room a musty scent. While it’s tempting to spritz your drapery with air freshener, that’s only a temporary fix. Monthly cleanings will help preserve the fabric’s original appearance and cut back on cigarette odor.
Cleaning drapery at home
Window curtains are a bit more difficult to clean than normal laundry. Make sure your washing machine is big enough to accommodate the bulk of heavy fabric. Also, check the label on your curtains to see if they’re machine washable. If you’re able to clean drapes at home, set the washer on a gentle cycle to avoid harsh rubbing.
Once the load is done, hang the curtains to air dry. It’s highly recommended that you wash curtains on a warm day with plenty of sunshine so they can dry outside. Wait until they’re slightly damp, then iron the drapes to get rid of wrinkles. Place them back on the windows immediately after ironing.
Call in the professionals
Not everyone has the means to wash their window hangings at home. Most household washers aren’t capable of holding that much fabric, and many people don’t have room for a clothes line. Also, your drapes could be made of a delicate material like chiffon or silk. A washing machine is too abrasive for such curtains and will damage the fabric.
If this is the case, consider taking your window curtains to the nearest dry cleaner in South Amboy, NJ. It’ll save you time and keep the fabric looking new. A professional cleaning is well worth the cost because drapery is expensive and needs proper care.
Recognizing when to clean drapery is an important step for every homeowner. Though often overlooked, cleaning drapery every few months will clear out lingering scents and allow you to breathe fresh air. If your curtains are due for a cleaning, Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center is conveniently located in South Amboy, NJ. You can also check out our website for more helpful cleaning tips!
Curtains serve an important functional and aesthetic purpose in a home, and it’s important to keep them looking their best. Unfortunately, curtains often get dirty over time, and that can make them look old, worn out and grimy. To get your curtains looking their best in time for all of your visiting holiday guests, consider a few of the best ways to clean curtains in South Amboy, NJ.
How to clean curtains in South Amboy, NJ
A lot of people are unsure about how to approach curtain cleaning, but this process doesn’t have to be particularly complicated or confusing. By following a few simple steps, you can get your curtains looking like new again:
- Check cleaning recommendations: Curtains usually come with cleaning recommendations from the manufacturer. Check the product information for your curtains on the tag, on the original packaging or online to find out what kind of care and cleaning steps are recommended. This will give you a better idea of how to get the most effective clean without damaging your curtains in the process.
- Start simple: A lot of people assume that it’s best to go with the most aggressive cleaning methods right off the bat, but you should always start simple when it comes to curtain cleaning. More aggressive cleaning methods have a much greater potential to damage your curtains, so try something less invasive first to see if it does the trick.
- Vacuum your curtains: One of the simplest ways to clean curtains in South Amboy, NJ is by using an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Take your curtains down and lay them flat on the floor or on a table. Using the attachment on your vacuum cleaner, carefully vacuum your curtains from top to bottom to remove pet hair, dirt and debris. In many cases, all it takes is a simple vacuuming to get curtains looking great.
- Spot-treat stains: Any obvious stains should be spot treated before washing curtains. Use a fabric stain remover that’s safe for the type of material your curtains are made of. Apply the cleaner according to package directions and use an old toothbrush or similar cleaning tool to work the stain remover into the fabric.
- Wash your curtains: After spot-treating stains, run your curtains through the washing machine on a delicate cycle with cold water. Use a detergent that’s designed for cold water and delicate fabrics to reduce any potential damage to your curtains. After the wash cycle, put your curtains in the dryer and tumble dry on a low setting. Once the curtains are mostly dry, but still a little damp, hang them up to finish drying. If you have cotton curtains, make sure to iron them before hanging them back up. (Important note: Most household appliances will not be ideal for washing and drying curtains. Visit a laundromat to take advantage of their commercial-grade machines.)
Professional curtain cleaning
Curtain cleaning can be a time-consuming process, so let the team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center take care of it for you. In addition to our floor and carpet cleaning services, we are also proud to offer drapery cleaning to get your curtains looking like new again. Give us a call to schedule an appointment or request a service quote.
Your home almost certainly has some sort of window coverings to block out light, sound, drafts, dirt and dust. Many people often overlook their drapery as part of their cleaning projects, since they aren’t sure how often to clean their curtains. However, making sure your drapes are regularly washed and maintained is a great way to cut down on allergies and make your home look fresh all year long.
Generally, you should clean your drapes about once every three to six months, depending on how much you leave your windows open and how bad your allergies are. If you’re a smoker or live near the sea, you should wash your curtains more frequently.
Add cleaning your drapes in South Amboy, NJ to your seasonal deep cleaning to-do list, or call the professionals at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center when you need to save time. Here are the benefits of doing so:
- Cut down on allergies: As the breeze comes in through your window, so do dust, pollen, mold spores and other substances that can be difficult for people with allergies. If you have particularly bad allergies, you may want to clean your drapes more often than once every three months. This can help prevent allergen buildup and will make your home smell cleaner, too.
- Machine washing can work: Depending on how large your curtains or drapes are, you might not be able to machine wash them—but if you can, and the fabric is neither a fussy variety nor stained, use a gentle cycle. Be sure to iron the curtains while they’re still damp and hang them as soon as possible.
- Dry cleaning: If your curtains are silk, linen or another material that requires a lot of special care, you might try dry cleaning. It will cut down on the damage that soap, water and machine drying can create. Curtains can also fade and shrink in a regular washing and drying cycle, so dry cleaning is a good way to cut down on potential damage.
- Professional cleaning: Professional cleaning is usually the safest way to care for your curtains. The team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center is skilled at caring for the wide variety of fabrics that make your draperies unique. We have over seven decades of experience caring for the multitude of fabrics in your home, and can leave your place smelling fresh and sparkling clean.
If you need drapery or carpet cleaning advice, call us to find out how we can better serve you.
Professional drape cleaning in South Amboy, NJ
You’ve probably invested a lot of money in your draperies. Don’t let them stay dirty—have them professionally cleaned by the team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. Our fully trained and reliable technicians will ascertain the best method for addressing the issues you are experiencing. After we’re finished cleaning your drapes, your home will look and smell so much better than before. Don’t wait—reach out to make a drapery cleaning appointment with our expert professionals today.