subject: Tips And Tricks On Curtain Care [print this page] It is one of the easiest and most enjoyable changes one can make in ones house - a new curtain. The importance of this item is crucial in that it filters the light coming in and gives even the commonest window an appearance of chic. In order to keep this look going for as long as possible, there are certain steps to follow.
As with clothes, carpets and furniture, the most important step in curtain maintenance is cleaning. They hang from the ceiling day in and day out, exposed to all the comings and goings - enemy number one: dust. If you give it time, dust will combine with other particles brought from the outside and, with help from moisture, will turn into dreaded grime. To keep that from happening, give each curtain a healthy shake at the end of every day. When this becomes insufficient (hopefully after many months), and you consider washing them, avoid dry cleaning and even machine wash - best to gently wipe them while hanging with water and mild soap or baking soda and then lightly blow them dry.
Curtains do a good job of keeping the worst of a summer sun out - but at what price? Fabrics like cotton or rayon wither away faster than, say, acrylic and polyester, and the same can be said about dark colors by comparison with light ones. However, if your tastes dont allow for white synthetic fabrics to hang around your windows, worry not: sheers will save the day! Hang them between the curtain and the glass and they will faithfully protect it; moreover, you will gain even more control over the degree of light allowed in.
Another thing you could do to help your curtain live longer is to add interlining to it. This process is quite similar to adding interior lining (that layer of cotton-like fleece) in a winter coat. Curtain interlining can be very thin, and can be melted into the lining so it doesnt look or feel too thick. The effect is not only that of protection and prolonged life, but also of effective insulation and a fuller look.
So it seems you are not at all helpless in preventing the merciless effects of time on your lovely curtains. Therefore, you should be able to enjoy the cool look of them for many years from now. Of course, until you get tired of looking at the same wallpaper, the same bookcase and the same furniture arrangement...
