Curtains and drapes around your windows add an elegant essence to your home decor. Make sure your curtains are clean and free from dirt and dust. Drapes can be cleaned and looking their best by following some simple steps.
They are extremely versatile whether you put a valance over your kitchen window to bring some color and vibrancy to the room or you put some bright colored curtains in the kids rooms, you want the fabric to look fabulous.
There are several tricks to keeping your curtains looking great and smelling fresh. Some people spray them with a freshener once a week. Make sure you use something without harsh chemicals that might weaken or discolor the fabric. Keep sensitive fabrics away from the sun as much as possible you might want to put a liner behind them to protect the material from sun rot. Another way to protect your drapes is to have blinds on the windows. You can put curtains over other window coverings to bring out the essence of your room's interior. Draping colored material over the top of the window can add height and dimension to the room. When picking out curtains make sure to choose material that is easy to care for and clean. If your curtains are dirty or look discolored it can ruin the whole image of your décor.
Here are some steps you can take to clean your curtains and fight this endless battle:
1. Inspect the back of the curtains for sun rotting by feeling and stretching the fabric. If they show signs of rotting they are not worth saving, it is time to buy new curtains.
2. Unlined curtains can be washed according to the care instructions.
3. Lined curtains need to be professionally dry cleaned in order to preserve the quality and shape of the draperies.
4. If you have large curtains wash them in the bathtub or take them to the laundry mat so you have something large enough to hold them. Doing this will prevent possible damage.
5. You can dry your curtains on air dry in the dryer for about a half and hour with a fabric softener sheet to quickly remove wrinkles and keep them smelling fresh.
6. If the rings are rusty and dirty boil them in water with vinegar to remove the rust and restore shine. You can also use soap to polish the curtain rods and remove dirt or dust build-up.
7. To keep the dust from building up vacuum your curtains frequently with a vacuum attachment. In order to prevent the vacuum from swallowing your curtains make sure you use the lowest setting and put a hard piece of plastic behind the curtain so it is easy to run the vacuum over the material. Or if you have a soft brush attachment you can use that as long as the material permits.
Spotless curtains and draperies in your home will add elegance to any room. Keep your house smelling fresh and looking its best by following the simple steps listed above and making sure your curtains look their best.
