While drapes and curtains come in many shapes, sizes, and price ranges, there is something all window treatments have in common. They all eventually accumulate odors, dust, and dirt. Because of the design and materials used in window treatments, it’s often necessary to use special methods of cleaning.
One fairly easy method of cleaning window treatments is to use a steam cleaner. You might already own a a steam cleaner and use it for other cleaning needs, or you could consider purchasing or renting one.
How to steam clean your drapes:
1. Remove the steam cleaner’s water holding tank and fill it. Be careful not to overfill the tank. Most tanks have a line marker that shows how much water to add. After filling the tank, replace it in the cleaner. Next, plug in/turn on the steam and allow it time to heat up enough to produce steam. The majority of steam cleaners will heat up within a few minutes.
2. The next step is to add any attachments that are made for use with cleaning draperies and upholstery. Be careful to choose the correct one for the job. Different materials can require different attachments, so be sure to look over the manufacturer’s directions before use.
3. Holding the nozzle up the draperies, smoothly move it up and down the length of the window treatments. It is best to go from top to bottom. This will help make sure you are able to remove all of the dust and dirt from the draperies. For a thorough cleaning, you can also steam clean the back of the drapes. An additional use of steam cleaners is to remove wrinkles from fabric. You can generally use this as an indicator of the fabric being clean. When there are no more wrinkles, you can be sure the job is done.
4. Once you are done steam cleaning your window treatments, turn the steamer off and empty the container. Your final step will be to open windows in the room or turn on fans in order to allow the circulation of fresh air. This will help dry and refresh the drapes.
Remember, periodically thoroughly steam cleaning your drapes can really help lengthen their life.
