Should You On-Site Clean or Off-Site Clean Luxury Curtains?
If you’ve spent thousands of pounds installing luxury curtains in your hotel, you’ll want to know how to take care of them so they will stay looking their best. Like all fabrics, dirt and dust get trapped in curtains and drapes over time. Many hotel or private residency managers want to identify the best way to clean high-value curtains, factoring in budget, efficiency and levels of cleanliness. In this guide, we’re covering whether it’s better to on-site clean or off-site clean your luxury curtains.
What do the experts say?
From silk and velvet to lighter sheer curtains, your first port of call should be to check the fabric labels or consult a professional curtain cleaner. They will be able to tell you straight away whether your curtains are suitable for dry-cleaning or washing, and which will provide the optimum cleaning results. Both processes ensure a thorough, hygienic clean. However, there are advantages and disadvantages for each, which you should consider both from a business perspective and to prevent damaging your curtains.
On-site cleaning curtains
Materials like velvet or chenille are suitable for cleaning with solvents. This is also a good option for drapes that are hard to take down from the rails as the cleaning can be done on-site. This type of cleaning is better for dust removal and refreshing and doesn’t use any harsh chemicals. It offers a surface clean while still being gentle on the fabric.
Off-site cleaning curtains
Silk, chiffon and curtains with elaborate embellishments are typically better suited to dry cleaning. Curtains that have been dry cleaned are cleaned more thoroughly with a greater ability to remove in-grained dirt and stains. However, this process is carried out off-site. This means the curtains will need to be taken down and rehung professionally. Off-site they are sanitised and deodorised to ensure they return free of odours and smelling fresh.
If in doubt
Fragile fabrics are typically better suited to dry cleaning. Even if your window coverings are made of a washable fabric, the linings and seams could shrink if they are washed. If in doubt, it’s better to opt for dry cleaning. It is particularly recommended that you dry clean curtains and drapes with stitched-in pleats, swags or other elaborate ornamentation.
By hiring a specialist curtain cleaner for your high-end hotel or establishment, they can take out all of the guesswork. The Donau operatives are trained and experienced to know which materials and types of curtains are suitable for either on-site or off-site dry-cleaning. Find out more about our specialist curtain cleaning in London today.
