Caring for your Curtains
At Aura Home all our textiles comply with current industry standards and are put through rigorous testing in our own independent laboratory.
All fabrics are tested for abrasion resistance, seam slippage, pilling, color fastness, the absence of Free Formaldehyde, pile retention for velvets and
dimensional change for drapery.
To extend the life of your high quality textiles, the correct care procedure is essential. Colour, weight and fibre content are all important factors when
maintaining your furnishings and each fabric requires different care. Always refer to your fabric care label before attempting any clean.
Professional cleaning is recommended every 12 months for all your home furnishings.
Please always refer to your appropriate careprior to any care and cleaning
Curtain Cleaning
To maintain the appearance of your high quality textiles, the correct care procedure is essential.
Below we have set out how to best clean your curtains. Please always refer to your care label before attempting any clean as some fabrics may be professional clean only.
- Refer to the ‘Care Instruction Label’ fixed to the rear of your curtains, before
laundering them. - Keep your drapes dust-free by regular gentle vacuuming with the appropriate attachment.
- Do not handle fabric with dirty hands, as this will soil the fabric.
Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. - Cold or warm hand wash with wool approved detergent. Do not soak. Do not bleach. Do not wring or rub.
- Do not tumble dry. Drip dry in shade fabric side down. Do not use pegs or fold over clothes line.
- For best results re-hang to dry.
- Avoid wet coated sides touching.
- Warm iron on fabric side only
Velvet curtain care
Curtaining velvet needs care in handling and use.
Window fittings coming in contact with the curtain should be avoided. Stiff brushing or strong vacuum cleaning on the reverse side of velvet can also pull at the pile. Draw cords or other methods of drawing without handling the curtain itself are recommended, as grasping, particularly with fingernails, can cause crushing and other damage. Velvet curtains should be dry cleaned.
When velvet curtains are hung for the first time it is recommended that they be drawn across and finely sprayed with water. The spray should dampen but not soak the velvet. The
curtains should then be left to dry and under no circumstances to be touched during this period. When the curtains are dry most creases and marks will have come out and the pile should have lifted to reveal the richness and luster of the velvet. If initially cared for, the pile should continue to improve as the atmosphere lifts it. This process can continue for several months.
Movement of curtains in situ
When making curtains, always allow for atmospheric movement and fluctuations in length, as the result of changes in temperature and humidity.
Fabrics absorb moisture and this can result in stretching or shrinking. It is reasonable to expect as much as a 3% change in any curtain length.
For instance, a 2.5m curtain length may move up to 8cms up or down in different conditions. Heavier fabrics, looser weaves and those with thicker yarns of natural fibres will react to changing humidity. For curtains, we recommend leaving generous hems to allow easy alteration and adjustment after hanging. We strongly recommend, letting them hang for at least 4 weeks before finishing hems. Top quality makers avoid “exact” length curtains (i.e. floor touching or to a window sill).
Mould and mildew on curtains and upholstery is unsightly, unhealthy, gives off a musty smell and has the potential to stain or eat into fabric. It’s a greedy little fungus that likes to feed on the dust or dirt on your fabrics, or even on the fabrics itself.
Organic fibres are gourmet fare for mildew. This includes animal (protein) fibres such as wool or silk, or plant (cellulose) fibres like cotton, linen or rayon – although man-made fibres are not immune either; all it takes is some dust to gather in the folds of your curtains or creases in your couch, and mildew quickly moves in. Areas near the kitchen are particularly at risk – cooking grease released into the air settles on your soft furnishings, attracting damp and dust, and providing mildew with a tasty snack.
When choosing fabric for your home, you can select a type that resists mildew better than others, such as polyester or viscose. If you love the natural look, there’s no need to give it up – modern blends of man-made fibres can be woven to mimic the look and feel of natural fabric.
Mildew loves something easy to stick to – a smooth, shiny fabric is harder for it to establish itself on, and a good choice if you find that mildew is a problem in your home. You could also try a water repellent fabric. These are less likely to get damp and encourage mildew growth.
Prevention is the best cure.
Mould thrives in warm, damp, humid conditions, so make sure your home is well insulated and ventilated. Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. You can try heating the house to draw moisture out of your soft furnishings, then opening the windows and doors to release the damp air. Double glazed windows are invaluable to a warm, dry home.
Keep surfaces and fabrics clean and dry by vacuuming and dusting regularly, and remove any mildew before it can spread.
What do I do if I find mildew on my curtains or upholstery?
Like Dracula, mildew cannot survive light and heat. Spread your fabrics out in the sun and it will quickly die, but remain attached to the fabric.
Many stores offer fabric cleaners that specifically target mildew. Try spot cleaning a discreet area first to test the effect on the look of your fabric, as you could face problems with the dye diluting, or the weave warping in the water. If in doubt, always consult a professional.
Make sure you rinse the fabrics thoroughly. Some cleaners contain ingredients that mildew loves, so while it may seem that you’ve solved the problem, it may return quickly and threefold! Also ensure you have dried your fabric completely to prevent further growth.
After a particularly nasty mildew infestation, you may find your curtains are permanently stained or even coming apart. Unfortunately, in these cases you may need to admit defeat – treat yourself to some new furnishings, and take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again!
Keep your curtains fresh by following these drapery care guidelines.
Ensure your drapery investment will stand the test of time by following the correct care code for your fabric. Combine proper care with effective sunlight protection, and your curtains will remain beautiful for years to come. In all cases, regular care will minimise the need for additional cleaning. Always follow care label instruction sewn into the curtain. Exercise caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning on a non-exposed surface. Avoid excess rubbing and abrasion. Below is just general guide only.
Type1: For use on specialty fabrics including velvets
- Dry clean only (P)
- Do not wash
- Do not iron
- Velvets should be steamed not pressed
- Possible shrinkage 3%
Type 2: For use on viscose/acetate and other fabrics that may shrink like silk and wool, particularly woollen scrims.
- Dry clean only (P)
- Do not wash
- Warm iron
- Possible shrinkage 3%
Type 3: For use on pigment printed or solid colour pigment and metallic prints on cotton and linen fabrics
- Do not dry clean (X)
- Warm hand wash in mild detergents, such as wool mixes
- Do not bleach
- Do not tumble dry
- Gentle spin dry
- Drip dry in shade
- Hang curtains by their hooks to dry
- Warm iron
- Possible shrinkage 3%
Type 4: For use on polyester and/or polyester blend fabrics
- Do not bleach
- Do not rub or wring
- Drip dry in shade. For best result rehang whilst damp
- Warm iron if required
- Dry cleanable (P)
- Possible shrinkage 3%
Type 5: For use on acrylic and modacrylic fabrics
- Warm hand wash
- Do not bleach
- Do not rub or wring
- Drip dry in shade. For best result rehang whilst damp
- Cool iron if required
- Dry cleanable(P)
- Possible shrinkage 3%
Type 6: For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics and flock coated fabrics of both man-made fibres and cotton that cannot be dry cleaned, such as pigment printed and metallic prints.
Regular care will minimise the need for additional cleaning. Always exercise caution when spot cleaning.
Test cleaning on non-exposed surface. Avoid excess rubbing and abrasion.
CLEANING:
Possible shrinkage 3%.
Washing:
Professional wet cleaning recommended.
DO NOT CLEAN IN A DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE.
Hand wash in cool-to-warm water (max. 40°) Mild detergents, such as wool mixes are recommended. Do not bleach or soak, rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Hang curtains by their hooks to avoid sides touching. Do not use pegs. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press on fabric side only.
