[Ian Gourlay]

I was looking at Restomates site last night and Craftex Cleaning powders, and it said they are suitable for Cleaning Curtains.

I have never wet cleaned a pair of curtains but it said suitable for cleaning most curtains.


In the past I have been told that Curtain Fabrics shrink if you wet clean so have always kept clear.

Never quite worked out logic as I put my Sanderson Curtains in Washing machine every few years.

Do you  or have you  ever wet clean curtains.  Using HWE

I know you can do it with Micro Splitters and steam with training from Derek  Bolton

[John Kelly]

You can wet clean curtains with an upholstery tool or special curtain tool. You need a board to put behind the fabric, a plastic plasterers hawk is ideal.
You need to test for shrinkage by putting 4 pins through the fabric making a square. You measure the sides of the square, wet the fabric in that area and dry off with a hairdryer. Then you measure the sides of the square again to see if there has been any shrinkage.
You can also mist clean them with Microsplit and an upholstery sponge. Again using the plasterers hawk behind them.
You must always thoroughly examine them for pre-existing damage as the fabrics can deteriorate due to sunlight and thermal currents passing through, especially if there is a gas cooker in the house.
Or you can take them down and take them to the dry cleaners who you will have negotiated a discount from, usually 20-30%. Take them back and re-hang them and charge the customer the full amount.
No hassle, apart from the taking down and putting up and if they shrink the dry cleaners are responsible.
Basically curtains are more bother than they are worth in my opinion.

[Eddie Conroy]

Hi All,
Some curtains can be wet cleaned subject to testing. Often a label is helpful.

The danger can be the threads used to sew the curtains, Header tapes, linings and interlinings can move at different rates leading to puckering. Some of the tapes, and linings are unbleached and can brown.
Decorative trimmings can be applied by water or spirit based adhesives which need particular examination .

Fire retardent finishes (or the ones that I have seen) need to  be dry cleaned.
I too have an arrangement with my local dry cleaner for some curtains, but again beware that larger tape headings  such as french pleats can be softened by the machine agitation.  I prefer to dry clean these on site.
Hope this adds to the topic
Regards
Eddie

[Joe H]

I have always shyed away from doing curtains and after reading the few posts above I am glad I have took that stance - sounds it could be too much hassle, but their again it might suit some down to the ground.
Is'nt life interesting because we are all different!!!

[maxcarpets]

Solvent clean, no problem!

[Ian Gourlay]

The reason I ask is Cheapo cleaners advertise curtain cleaning and after seeing his equipment yesterday  he does not have solvent machine