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TIP FOR YOUR SPRING CLEANING
Spring is just around the corner, longer days, bright light, time to look at your curtains.
When considering cleaning of curtains you should take time to examine carefully the problems that may not be at first apparent.
a) Is there light fade?
Light fade is not just about colour change. The fabric has been physically damaged and light degradation will result in loss of tensile strength and is irreversible. Weakening of the fabric will take place at an ever increasing rate as time goes on. Examine the edges near to the window side and compare these with the other side, is the light fade visible in vertical stripes? Other effects are as the result of curtains partly covering the window, which gives panel effects.
Finally examine your lining. Here you will see, almost definitely sunlight effects with the somewhat yellowing of the fabric.
Dry cleaning is a gentle process, but even in dry cleaning the very weak tensile strength of faded areas can deteriorate and the fabric split. A dry cleaner cannot unfortunately pre-test for this condition.
b) Soiling issues.The next problem to look for is soiling and in particular the type of soiling. Curtains help to keep heat in as well as light out and act as a dust filter on convected air. Other types of soiling are cigarette smoke, gas and open fire contamination. Soiling of this nature is very prominent on linings particularly near the top where you will have a grey effect in the curtain folds. Soiling is not easily removed by dry cleaning. Also be further aware of condensation marks in which moisture and dirt will form tidemarks along with colour movement. These will definitely not removed by dry cleaning so the customer should make allowances. Wet cleaning process will give vastly improved results in soiling removal but particular concerns include loss of colour, effect fabric texture and excess shrinkage.
c) Shrinkage. There is a common thought that dry cleaning is shrink free. This is not the case. Curtains will be subjected to heat and mechanical action, which is likely to cause relaxation shrinkage in natural fibres. 3% shrinkage is the British standard guideline for fabric processed in dry cleaning plus a small additional percentage shrinkage where curtains are made with sewn seams and linings. Most curtains fall within this category and shrinkage is usually to a lesser degree than the guidelines as a result of modern careful processes. However you should be aware that slight shrinkage on curtains, which are ceiling to floor or finished at the window sill height you need to be particularly aware of the likelihood of shrinkage.
These are the main areas of concern with curtain cleaning, so what can you do?
Be realistic in your expectations!!
Are your curtains worth renovating or should you consider replacement or relining?
Replacement - Consider the age of the curtains. Are they 10 years plus? Definitely consider replacement if fading is excessive, fabric degradation has taken place and soiling is excessive and ingrained particularly on the hems.
Dry clean and reline – Definitely if the outer fabric is in good order but the linings of the fabric are weak and dirty.
Dry clean and wash lining – Definitely if the outer fabric is in good order and the linings are separate and only suffering from soiling and condensation.
The curtains are in reasonable order.
Proceed with dry cleaning, the results will be fresh clean curtains which will give them much longer life. Be realistic about fading that has taken place and the dry cleaning's ability to effect some types of soiling removal. Be prepared to lengthen curtains and always check that sufficient hems are present and if you have to lengthen the curtains always be aware that the wear line may be visible.
Giltbrook Cleaners are able to clean, flameretard and repair all types of curtaining.
On depositing curtains you will be asked to complete a curtain form, please do not hesitate to ask the assistant any questions. Contact us by telephoning 0115 9448464 or e-mail drycleaning@giltbrookcleaners.co.uk
TIP OF THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD
"Oops sorry", soup on the lap, gravy down the back, red wine on the dress.
Treatment of all these stains is a very specialised process and success of treatment will depend on the fabric and type of stain. Many stains are very complex in nature, so what do you do?
Avoid making matters worse- don't fall into the trap of -
- Using a treatment that a good friend says always work.
- Using proprietary stain removal treatment. These treatments sometimes are successful but very often cause complications. Firstly you must be very sure the fabric being treated will not be detrimentally effected by the use of the product. Secondly that the proprietary product is suitable for treating the stain without making it worse and producing swale marks.
What do you do?
Visit your nearest branch of Giltbrook Cleaners along with you the untreated item.
Explain to the assistant the nature of the stain. The assistant will examine the garment for fibre content and care labelling and consider how best to proceed. In the great majority of instances the stain will be able to be treated prior to or as part of the normal cleaning process. Success cannot be 100% guaranteed and there may be some small additional charges.
Some stains are more complex and considerable extra time may be required by one of our experienced Dry cleaning technicians. In these cases we have a central processing plant which is able to give the extra time required. Unfortunately extra treatments may well spell extra risk factors which only you could accept. In these instances our shop assistant will assist you to complete the appropriate documentation and additional charges may well be considered necessary.
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