How Often Should You Clean Your Curtains?
If you have curtains in your house, then you’ve probably said at some point “we should clean the curtains next week”. But, you probably haven’t. The mere thought of having to take them down, put them through the wash, somehow get them dry and then re-hang them can seem overwhelming. Even just sending them off to be dry cleaned may be more than you can be bothered with, especially since they don’t look too bad…
But how would you feel if you knew that curtains can facilitate the growth of mould and mildew, in addition to harbouring dust mites, all of which have been linked to respiratory issues and allergic reactions? Suddenly cleaning the curtains takes on a whole new level of importance!
For example, consider the case of Kenzie, who lives in Newport and suffers terribly from allergies and hayfever. Knowing that her allergies were triggered by dust, Kenzie spent hours each week cleaning her home from top to bottom, and yet as soon as she walked into the house her eyes would start to water and she would begin to sneeze. Kenzie had never bothered with cleaning her curtains because they had no obvious marks and were made of multi-layered thick fabrics – it just didn’t seem worth the effort. But then Kenzie read an article online that explained how dust mites, pet dander and pollen can all accumulate on curtains and she knew something had to be done. Since she was unsure how to go about cleaning the curtains, she decided to trust in an expert. Master Dry Cleaners were able to professionally dry clean all her curtains and Kenzie noticed a marked improvement in her allergies. She now has the curtains professionally cleaned every 3 months to prevent a build-up of allergy triggers.
Because curtains are made of fabric they are also prone to absorbing common household odours. Curtains in close proximity to cooking areas and wood heaters, or those that come into regular contact with pets can start to smell musty, become discoloured or develop stains which may not be readily apparent until a closer inspection is done. Regular cleaning can prevent this discolouration and marking from progressing to a point where it is no longer an easy fix.
Sam lived in a rental property in Fitzroy which he loved because it was close to the city and had a park across the street where he could take his French bulldog for daily walks. But when his lease ended, and he vacated the property he was shocked to discover he would not be receiving his bond back in full – the property manager found the curtains to be discoloured, with several marks down close to the ground near where the dog bed had been located. Learning from his mistake, Sam was determined to be pro-active in his next rental property. He now has his curtains professionally cleaned by Master Dry Cleaners, who recommended a schedule of every 6 months since the property is in such a dusty area close to the city.
Because situations vary, it may not be necessary for your curtains to be cleaned quite as often as Kenzie and Sam need theirs done. Master Dry Cleaners recommend the following approximate timeframes for the washing of curtains:
- Hypoallergenic family: Every 3 – 6 months
- Living in a dusty area: Every 6 – 12 months
- Living near the sea: Every 6 – 12 months
- Wood heaters inside: Every 12 months
- All living conditions: Every 2 – 3 years
When cleaning your curtains, be sure to follow the cleaning instructions on the manufacturer label carefully. Curtains can be very sensitive to mechanical action, temperature changes and detergents, so putting them through a washing machine is not recommended. Curtains or drapes that have a standard blockout lining, sprayed blockout lining, or any form of embroidery, borders or pleats will need to be professionally cleaned to ensure they are not damaged.
Luckily, Master Dry Cleaners are specialists in cleaning all types of curtains and drapes in Melbourne. In fact, Master Dry Cleaners can professionally clean all types of window furnishings, offering a complete service that includes taking them down, dry cleaning and then re-hanging, all within about 1 weeks’ time.
For experienced and professional service, call the Melbourne curtain cleaning specialists, on 1300 885 245.
