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Curtains
Drycleaning or professional laundering can prolong
the life of curtains. With proper care curtains will last many years.
Some of the problems which can be encountered with curtains are
as follows.
| Water damage and/or prolonged
exposure to sunlight can seriously weaken curtain fabrics particularly
cotton linings. |
| The combined effect of
age, moisture, light, heat, tobacco smoke and some atmospheric
soils can cause fabrics to permanently yellow. |
| Shrinkage can occur in
many fabrics where the fabrics have not been pre-shrunk or where
the fabric has been stretched in manufacture. The Australian
Standard allows up to 5% shrinkage. |
| Draperies with reflective
polyurethane bonded linings can sometimes separate, peel or
self-stick during cleaning. |
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 Bedspreads & Comforters
Many
bedspreads and comforters, particularly those that are tailored
and quilted should be drycleaned or professionally laundered. The
appropriate care instruction should be attached to the item. Always
clean all matching or co-ordinating items at the same time and by
the same process. This way any colour changes, however minimal,
will be uniform.
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Continental Feather or Down Quilts & Sleeping Bags
Your down and feather quilts can be successfully
drycleaned or professionally laundered according to the Care label.
Cleaning will remove soluble and insoluble soil from the quilt and
kill all bacteria. In addition the down fill will fluff up giving
much more warmth and comfort.
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Upholstery & Cushion Covers
While upholstery is often cleaned in place by
a professional cleaning process, many removable upholstery and cushion
covers can be drycleaned. Refer to the manufacturers care label
if in doubt or consult Atlas Dry Cleaners for advice.
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Blankets, Underlays and Lambswool Seat Covers
These items can be cleaned very successfully.
Care should be taken only to Dry Clean Woollen Underlays and Woollen
Blankets since they are subject to shrinkage, distortion and hardness
when laundered. Similarly Lambswool Car Seat Covers are generally
better dry cleaned.
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Tips on prolonging textile life
| Remember closely woven
fabrics are more durable than loosely woven fabrics. |
| Consider the amount of
sun exposure fabrics will receive and choose an appropriate
fabric. Silk and cotton are the most vulnerable to light degradation
while acrylic, polyester and glass fibres are the most resistant. |
| Rotate curtains to vary
light exposure. |
| Take care to sight and
read Care Labels on fabric before purchase. |
| Remember that regular cleaning
is important in not only prolonging the life of Textiles but
also is part of the health chain ensuring the living environment
remains clean and free from bacteria. |
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