Get matched with top drapery cleaners in Barnstable, MA

The best way to clean drapes or curtains depends on the fabric. Always check the care tag for instructions before attempting to wash them.

You can typically clean drapes yourself if they are made of durable materials like cotton, cotton blends, polyester, or burlap, which can often be machine-washed. However, some fabrics can be hand-washed.

For delicate materials such as linen, silk, velvet, lace, sateen, or wool, it is best to hire a professional drapery cleaner. These fabrics are often dry-clean only and can be damaged, shrink, or be destroyed by machine washing or using the wrong cleaning solutions.

If the care tag is missing, the drapes are old, thin, brittle, or have existing damage like pulls or tears, it's safest to have them professionally cleaned. A professional will use the correct methods and solutions for a safe, deep cleaning.

It’s a good idea to wash curtains every six months or so to avoid allergens from building up in them and to get rid of any odors from cooking, exercising, or pets. You might want to wash your curtains as often as every three months if you have multiple pets, someone in your family is highly allergic to dust or pet dander, or you cook often with aromatic spices or oils. You might consider a standalone cleaning if you get stains on your curtains or they are visibly soiled.

Anything that might have been exposed to fumigation chemicals should be washed before use. Wipe down and sanitize surfaces like countertops and tables, and wash all utensils (or take care to store them in an airtight box beforehand), as well as anything else that could find its way into someone’s mouth, like kid or pet toys. 

Window treatments fall under the categories of hard, soft, and layered. Hard refers to stiff, formed treatments that include window blinds and shutters. Soft refers to cloth window treatments that include drapes and curtains. Finally, layered refers to the combination of soft and hard treatments. For example, you might place flowing drapes over blinds to combine the practicality of a treatment that blocks the sun with the whimsical and elongating aesthetic of a full-window drape.