Cleaning Your Draperies The Right Way

By Author: Dave Roth
Total Articles: 125
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Sooner or later, those lovely draperies that you have in your home will have to be cleaned. How they get cleaned and how good they look when they're done can really vary, depending on what they are made of and whether you pay close attention to cleaning them correctly. Some of them have to be dry-cleaned. Some of them can be washed and dried, but there might be specific requirements as to how this should be done � and how often. One of the things you can do between cleanings, though, to help keep them looking nice, is to vacuum them. Don't just get your big, upright vacuum cleaner out of the closet and go to it, however. Some of the larger uprights have way too much suction for draperies, even if you use an attachment. Others can work with draperies, but if they are very delicate they can still be damaged.

The best way to vacuum them is with the drapery attachment from a canister vacuum, because it handles delicate fabrics without destroying them. Canister vacuums are designed to work with more types of floors and fabrics than upright vacuums are. Both of them have their place when it comes to home cleaning, but ...
... upright vacuums and canister vacuums are very different and canister styles are the only kinds that always work well with draperies and area rugs. Because their suction is not as aggressive as other models, these cleaning machines work very well on hardwood and tile, as well. This is important, because people who have one type of cleaning machine don't generally want to have to have another one. It costs money, it takes up space, and it creates a lot of hassle. If they can only use one machine, it makes their lives easier. If they have wall to wall carpet and expensive drapes, though, they can't use one machine for both. The same is true if they have wall to wall carpet coupled with area rugs, tapestries, or upholstery that need to be vacuumed but that are very delicate.

At some point, a person has to make a decision about what will be in his or her home, and by doing this it becomes easier to see whether both types of cleaning machines will be needed. Whether they are or not, vacuuming draperies and curtains is important to a lot of people because they feel like these items get dusty and dirty very easily. They can, especially if you live in a dry climate, have pets, or have young children. With any of those factors essentially working against you draperies become a lot more of a concern. They can also become stained if they are too near a couch or table where things can be spilled, and they can become faded by the sun if they are not heavily backed or treated properly. Some people also put special film on their windows to filter out some of the sun's rays so that their draperies last longer, but vacuuming them is virtually essential.