Thanks for stopping by my website. My name is Annabelle Collins. My husband and I live in a large house with our two teenage children. We’re fortunate in that we’re able to have a cleaning service come and clean on a weekly basis. In the past, I found that it was difficult for me to exert myself when it came to hiring and communicating with our cleaning service. I’ve never been very authoritative, and that shone through in a not good way. I wanted things to be done in a certain way, but found it difficult to ask for what I wanted. I have come to realize that in order for the service to do the job I want to be done, I have to ask for it to happen. I doubt that I’m alone in the fact that this is difficult, and want to share my experience and growth.
Genuine velvet and velour drapes are heavy and absorb sound, lending a calming elegance to any living room or bedroom while blocking out light and offering privacy. However, these materials need special attention to stay clean. You can't simply take down your drapes and toss them in the washing machine once a year. Use these tips to keep your drapes clean year round so they last longer and look good for years to come.
Wipe Down Regularly
As you notice dust or pet hair building up on the surface of the velvet or velour pile, grab a chamois cloth and dampen it lightly with hot water. Rub the fabric gently with the direction of the pile to pick up surface dirt without damaging the fibers. Make sure to wring out the cloth thoroughly each time you rinse it so that there is minimal moisture to soak into the drapes. Keeping the fabric dry helps it remain cleaner for longer and prevents mold and or mildew from growing on the surface.
Dry Clean Only
Most velvet and velour curtains are marked as dry clean only because using dry chemical cleaning agents preserves the delicate fabric. Take your drapes down to bring to the dry cleaner at least once every 12 months. Waiting longer could cause permanent discoloration, damage to the pile, and increased fragility of the weave. Make sure your local dry cleaner has the equipment to handle large drapes before you carry in a bulky bag of fabric.
Hand Wash Safely
Even if your drapes have a tag designating them machine washable, hand washing is better for the life of the window coverings. You can take down your velvet or velour drapes and wash them gently in a clean bathtub with a laundry soap designed for delicate fabrics. Swish the fabric up and down without crushing or wringing it to prevent damage, then take the drapes outside and stretch them out flat on non-metal window screens or a clean reflective tarp. Flip them once or twice to make sure they dry evenly and without fading.
It's important to dry these kinds of drapes flat instead of tossing them in a dryer or hanging them because they can easily become misshapen and stretched. Laying them flat on a surface that encourages drying prevents distortions that leave you with longer, shorter, or crinkled window coverings.
Vacuum Gently
If your drapes pick up a lot of pet hair or dust, you can also use a vacuum attachment to clean off the bulk of the debris before wiping down the surface. Use a soft bristled brush attachment, or purchase a velvet cleaning brush and use a regular angled tip to catch the dirt you knock loose. Brush the velvet in one direction, so the pile lays flat as you work over it, to get maximum cleaning without damaging the fibers of the pile.
Remove Stains Promptly
Velvet and velour are both quite absorbent fabrics when made from cotton and other natural materials. If a friend spills a glass of wine or a pet has an accident, remove the bulk of the mess as soon as possible to limit staining. Once the dirt or debris is removed, dry the fabric from both sides with a clean rag or paper towels. You can spot clean these materials with a mixture of warm water and a delicate fabric detergent, but limit how much water you apply as you gently scrub and dab the stain out. Getting the velvet too wet can cause it to become even more discolored and stained. You may want to replace one or both of a set of velvet drapes if you don't discover a stain until it has dried and set.
To learn more about this topic, speak with your local window treatment retailer.
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